The Apple-IBM Deal, Simplified

The recent partnership between Apple and IBM has come as a pleasant surprise for the mobile industry as a whole. This move has great potential for the long-term, presenting opportunities for much growth, both for Apple investors and the enterprise sector. In this post, we explain this union and the impact it is likely to have, in simple terms.

MobileFirst Approach

The MobileFirst partnership between the 2 giants is based on combining their individual strengths, in order to reach a loftier goal. IBM’s expertise with Big Data and back-end services, working along with Apple’s skills in presenting intuitive designs for its iPhone and iPad, will most definitely benefit both the companies involved.

iPad sales have been showing a slight decline of late — this joint effort clearly targets to put the device back at the top of the heap. Being powerful and highly intuitive, also presenting a large enough display, iPads are the best choice for performing complex tasks, such as working with analytics apps, displaying and analyzing data charts, and so on.

Tackling Competition

Apple’s foremost rival, Google, has been doing consistently well in the market. Its new slew of smartphones, tablets and even wearable devices are quite sought after by the masses. Some Microsoft Windows devices are faring well as well. Of course, Apple has nothing to worry about regarding its current market position. However, part of the reason for the joint venture with IBM may have something to do with the rest of the competition.

Leading in Enterprise

Apple has recently released a whole new line of enterprise-oriented tablets. Besides, it is also focusing on creating apps keeping the business sector in mind. IBM is a company that enjoys great repute. It boasts of attracting all the top people in the industry, along with vast experience in building data analysis systems and service teams. Apple hence sees IBM as the best company to complement its own expertise in device hardware and design. Besides, IBM has always enjoyed a position of power in enterprise. Apple is yet to make this kind of impact on the industrial sector. Partnering with IBM, therefore, would help it emerge as a leading player in the enterprise market.

Increase in Sales

The MobileFirst program focuses on both the iPhone and the iPad. Needless to say, the latter will be more important and apps and other solutions will more sharply target that device. However, it would not mean that the iPhone would be completely relegated to the background. There would certainly be many features and solutions focusing on the iPhone as well. This will help the sales of both the iPhone and the iPad as well, thereby increasing the total revenue for Apple.

Wider Adoption of iOS

The adoption of the iPad in the enterprise will encourage employees to increase their own use of iOS devices. Some of these employees, who would otherwise have preferred Android or Windows Phone devices, may make the move to iOS. Apple generally works as a lifestyle statement — many customers who use these devices are viewed as being extremely tech-savvy and well-informed about the latest technology. Those seeking to build upon this image would most likely encourage their friends and contacts to jump over to iOS as well.

In Conclusion

By joining hands with IBM, Apple is clearly preparing to bring in huge, hitherto unthought-of opportunities, especially for the enterprise sector. If all works according to plan, this move could well change the entire landscape of technology in enterprise, as we know it today.