The Apple iPhone for Business

If you view the advertising for the Apple iPhone, you would think that it is strictly for young adults to be used for pleasure. Most of the advertising focuses on the iPhone's entertainment value. They focus on music, video, and Facebook. Overall, not very business like. However, the Apple iPhone for business purposes is something you do not see advertised much. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the only service provider for the iPhone is AT&T and they are not looking to cut anyone deals on iPhone services. Nevertheless, the iPhone can be a useful business tool; one just has to decide if the cost is worth it.

Is using the Apple iPhone for business really a viable option? It can be. Your particular business situation will dictate if this phone is something your company should consider or if it will be impractical. There are situations where the iPhone will shine and then there are other situations that will make it totally impractical.

You should consider the Apple iPhone for business if you need to stay in contact with others constantly. This would include texting, chatting, email and cell phone communications. An ideal example for an iPhone in a business environment is a buyer for a retailer. When the buyer goes to shows or other purchasing events, using the iPhone as a camera to send potential product to management can give the competitive edge to your business. The fashion industry lends itself to iPhone use. If you are attending the fashion shows in order to see which designer lines to bring in, then the iPhone is what you need. You can snap a picture or take a video of the hottest items still on the runway, send them to purchasing and orders can be placed before the end of business that day. If your business thrives on having the latest and greatest designer fashion in your shop, then the sooner you can place orders for the upcoming season, the more profitable you will be. If you do not get the new styles in first, someone else will. Antique dealers and art collectors will benefit from having an iPhone. There is no better way to send pictures of art and antiques to clients and to your business than with an iPhone. When you are looking to make purchases, you can keep customer wish lists with you, along with their contact info. If you find something they are looking for, you can let them know before you make an offer on the item. In a sense, you are pre-selling your inventory! It does not get any better than that. These are some of the ways that using the Apple iPhone for business purposes can be profitable. This would justify the cost.

On the other hand, if you are in an environment that is less than safe for a sensitive device like the iPhone then using the Apple iPhone for business probably will not make much sense. Construction sites, factories, assembly lines, shipping and receiving departments, and anything near water are not favorable to iPhone usage. The touch screen is very sensitive. Dirt, debris, water, moisture, grease and oil are not friends of the iPhone or any other cell phone. Industrial environments are too tough for this delicate phone. It does not handle being dropped well. There is a high risk of breaking the screen or damaging the unit. This is really a phone for a less stressful environment. If this is your particular business situation, then using the Apple iPhone for business is not a wise investment. 

Therefore, now that you understand which business applications are suitable for iPhone use and which are not, you can decide where your business fits in. Should you buy the Apple iPhone for business? If you can justify the high costs of the phones, and using AT&T for your business cell phone service the perhaps it is worth it. You are the one who knows your companies finances. If the iPhone fits in then you can consider it. However, if you are in an industry that tends to be rough on laptops and cell phones or if you require an industrial strength walkie-talkie phone due to your working environment, then using the Apple iPhone for your business is not a viable option. What should you decide on?

                                                                                                            - Mohammed Zahran -