Is this saying that IBM can preload their enterprise software onto the iDevices without having to go through the Apple Store? Or perhaps there'll be a private-labeled store?
And does this mean that Apple won't be taking their usual 30% of the entire sale, if the app significantly extends the functionality of IBM's software? Because 30% of the typical enterprise sale is a lot of money, and I can't see Ginni letting go of that much on their way to $20 EPS.
AFAIK MDM allows a company to create an internal app store that does not pay the 30% tax, although there may be some weaseling about how the mobile app is actually free but the server it talks to costs money.
I find this very interesting after many years of Apple not pushing the enterprise particularly hard, but the question that pops into my head is how many large companies are still using IBM technology? Do companies still use their software or has everyone moved on?
Sure there are many companies using Lotus Notes, but there is way more enterprise IBM tech & software out there (in use at large companies) than you realize ... WebSphere Portal, IBM Cloud, Rational, Tivoli, DB2, Cognos, Tealeaf, Watson, etc etc
By writing a snarky response, you have missed the chance to learn something from someone (the grandparent commenter) who seems to be better-informed than you on this topic.
The press release pretty clearly positions Apple devices as front-ends for IBM's big data and cloud offerings.
E.g., compute some "big data analytic" on the IBM server and view it in a dashboard on a mobile Apple device; or interact with client records or job tickets stored in IBM's cloud.
I can totally see XKEYSCORE being run remotely off an iPad. The sort of places that run IBM stuff will run away screaming from running "big data analytics" from, nevermind viewing results on, an iOS device.
Trust me I've learned all there is to learn about IBM software - while working there.
Lotus Notes is the devil. Jesus Christ, I hate it. They need to kill Lotus Notes, really the only valuable thing from it I feel is Sametime, but that can stand by itself.
MongoDB + Rails. Lotus Notes (in addition to being a flawed mail system that I wish on no one) has a ton more engineer-years sunk into it than many of the NoSQL databases + web frameworks ever will.
Hell have truly frozen over. I remember when I started writing for MacOS in 1985 IBM was the enemy. Makes sense for Apple today since they are much much bigger than IBM and have nothing to lose. IBM needs all the help it can get.
What are you talking about - IBM and Apple working together is old news. There was Taligent in the early 90s. There was the AIM PPC alliance which lasted from the early 90s to 2005. These companies are old friends who haven't been true enemies since the 1980s.
And does this mean that Apple won't be taking their usual 30% of the entire sale, if the app significantly extends the functionality of IBM's software? Because 30% of the typical enterprise sale is a lot of money, and I can't see Ginni letting go of that much on their way to $20 EPS.