iPhone is presenting some real challenges to corporate IT user organisations. So, this week 26 member organisations participated in 2 online forums on the use of Mobile devices.
From a straw poll 21 of the organisations present deploy RIM blackberry, 8 Windows Mobile while 2 have iPhones in use by small groups of senior business users. 9 organisations have or plan to have iPhone tests/pilots in the next 12 months. Read comments from delegates below:

Comments

• IT groups are getting on the front foot to prepare for iPhone use which many see as inevitable
• Current demand is driven by senior users at the top of the organisation
• Many organisations want to give employees access to some corporate applications using their own devices
• Many user interface features of the iPhone make it much easier to use than a Blackberry. ‘our support calls are virtually nil’. ‘Blackberry has failed to move with the times’
• Major stumbling blocks are seen as security, remote device management, provisioning for lost devices. These problems will be overcome
• Locking in to a corporate iStore loses what users see as the value added functions of the iPhone
• Competition in the market place will transform current cost models  

The Corporate IT Forum will be running a Workshop on Mobile devices early next year dealing with issues like security device management and costs. If you have an interest in this topic or would like to contribute to the agenda please email rbarnard@tif.co.uk