Contributed by cgervais | osViews This article was syndicated under osViews' Open Content License. June 16, 2004 12:54 AM

"Apple Computer is not a company traditionally known for its enterprise-class solutions, but that image is starting to change. The company has been actively developing a string of first-rate products that address the needs of this market in ways that the company has never done before. To say that the company has made massive progress might actually be an understatement, but there is much more the company can do according to osViews editorial contributor "cgervais" who lists each of these in the following editorial."

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Ever since the release of Mac OS X, the buzz around "Apple in the enterprise" has grown steadily. By ditching the old Classic code base and moving to a Mach/FreeBSD architecture, Apple has delivered a robust, stable and high-performance OS to its core customers while opening the doors to growth in new markets. In addition, the past 18 months have seen the introduction of enterprise-class hardware and software in the Xserve, Xserve RAID and Xsan (not to mention Mac OS X Server). These solutions address a historically weak area for Apple: robust server-class solutions that datacenter guys can feel good about racking next to their IBM and HP gear.

However, technology alone won't increase Apple's profile in the eyes of corporate and enterprise IT/IS departments. To further their enterprise play, Apple should do three things to raise its profile as a major enterprise IT vendor:

First, develop and publish an operating system lifecycle strategy. Apple keeps its plans around Mac OS X releases so tight that enterprises have no manner of planning for their release. In addition, Apple gives very little guidance as to what enterprises can expect for OS lifecycle support. Is Mac OS X 10.2 no longer supported when 10.3 was released? If so, for how long? It would appear that support continues since Apple has released patches, but this is an example of where corporate IT departments need roadmaps to ensure proper planning.

If Apple can provide an OS lifecycle roadmap, IT departments can properly analyze the cost, resource and time implications in support of Mac OS X in their environment. Given the traditional low total cost of ownership (TCO) position of Apple solutions, availability of a lifecycle roadmap would only enhance the Apple value proposition. Microsoft has been very public about their OS lifecycle support roadmap, Apple should follow suit.

Second, make a public commitment to enhancing the security of Mac OS X. The arguments about whether Mac OS X is more secure than Windows aside, Apple needs to commit to security educating and training for its internal development and solutions deployment staff. The recent Help Center and AppleScript vulnerability is a wake-up call for Apple to look at security holistically across the OS. From API development to best practices for securing a Mac OS X Server installation, a strong security strategy will remove further barriers to corporate IT department uptake of Apple solutions.

Microsoft's approach to their security problems isn't a model of execution for Apple--it was completely reactive. Apple has a chance to proactively promote and educate the security of Mac OS X for system admins and developers. Further refinement of the permissions model (via the Authorization Services API) to reduce the risk profile of rogue programs, malicious AppleScripts and other malware will continue to refine the Apple value proposition to corporate IT. Apple isn't entirely mute on this subject, posting many documents on their developer site on the subject, but actions speak louder than words where enterprise security is concerned.

Third, continue to fund and support open source efforts that promote integration with other enterprise systems. Novell's recent release of the Ximian Evolution Connector source code (for connecting mail and groupware clients to Microsoft Exchange) is a golden opportunity for Apple to remove integration barriers and reduce the perception of the "Mac as an island."

Apple Mail's ability to interoperate with Exchange only hints at what needs to be accomplished. Address Book, iCal and iChat should be able to integrate and interoperate with Exchange's Global Address List, calendaring/scheduling and instant messaging services. Get Exchange support nailed, and then move on to other enterprise groupware packages if the market demands solutions.

Apple includes many open source components within Mac OS X that promote enterprise integration (e.g. SAMBA, CDSA, Kerberos) and it should continue to enhance its position via these components by promoting their effectiveness and investing in their future. Mac OS X is an interesting open source success story and Apple should continue to fund development with both dollars and bodies.

The recommendations above don't reflect the changes needed to sell into an enterprise environment, but they support that effort.

Even if Apple adopts some or all of the recommendations listed, they still need to help enterprise IT organizations understand the Apple/Mac OS X value proposition. Smart enterprises aren't spending money to acquire technology, they're spending to gain agility, adopt more effective business processes or to move into new markets. In some scenarios, Apple in the datacenter could be a powerful asset for enterprises who continue to refine the effectiveness of their IT departments.



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