iPhone App Store Software for Business: Feast or Famine?

Need software for your corporate iPhone? Apple's App Store will whet your appetite, but ultimately will leave you hungry. We show off several free and commercial applications that might find a home on your trusty new smartphone.

By Lisa Hoover

CONNECTIONS
Apple
Oracle
Salesforce.com
Thu, July 17, 2008CIO CIOs and IT managers really know what they want when it comes to equipping their employees with iPhones, and for the most part, they've gotten their wish. Now that iPhones are popping up in the workplace, it's only natural users will want to personalize them with software from Apple's new App Store. Sure, plenty of software is written for consumer users; but is there anything worthwhile for the businessperson? Yes—but you may have to dig around a little bit.

Note: Whenever possible, we link to Web-based URLs, however some links require iTunes to view.

Making one of the strongest runs at enterprise users so far is Salesforce Mobile. Meant as a supplemental rather than a stand-alone tool for the iPhone, this application requires the user to have an Unlimited Edition Salesforce license or a Mobile License for use with an Enterprise or Professional Edition account. Since Salesforce Mobile stores data right on your phone, you can access your customer information without a wireless connection.

Additionally, any third-party apps created on the company's development platform, Force.com, can also be deployed on the iPhone. Before you rush out to download Salesforce Mobile, be aware that many users are complaining that the app lacks the ability to edit data, and they criticize installation issues which is surprising since this isn't Salesforce's first foray into mobile apps.

Another big contender in the App Store's business category is Oracle's business intelligence (BI) offering, Business Indicators [iTunes link]. Like Salesforce Mobile, it's free to download but requires an Oracle Business Intelligence Suite, Enterprise Edition Plus and Oracle Business Intelligence Applications, Fusion Edition to use. Once installed, it promises to deliver information on "pre-defined and customized" metrics, analytics and reports.

The Omni Group has created a mobile version of OmniFocus, the robust task-management system aimed at professionals. Available for $19.99, OmniFocus for iPhone synchronizes with its desktop counterpart via MobileMe and can also be used as a stand-alone version. OmniFocus lets you create tasks and lists, then uses the iPhone's location awareness tools to point out what tasks you can accomplish based on where you are. A few users are reporting problems with the OmniFocus app, with most issues apparently related to syncing.

Enterprise users who don't want to pony up money large amounts of money for a single application can assemble their own collection of work-related apps at little to no cost just by digging around a bit.

If you also support other smartphones, be sure to read our recommendations: Six Free BlackBerry Downloads You Don't Want to Miss and Seven Fantastic Free Windows Mobile Apps.

iphone

Loading...
Mobile MarketSpace
Retooling IT for a Mobile Workforce
Check out this research note from IDC for guidance. Learn more »
The Continued Evolution of Wireless Mobility
Learn about the two leading 4G technologies, the current status of deployed 4G networks, and how to manage long-term 4G costs Learn more »
Thinking About Deploying Mobile Broadband?
Explore lessons and best practices experienced by companies that have deployed mobile broadband to their workforce. Learn more »
Improving Healthcare Delivery with Role-Enabled Communications
Today, more healthcare IT organizations than ever are interested in implementing UC applications in a planned, cost effective manner. In order to meet their tremendous potential for improved healthcare delivery requires far more than UC; it requires role-enabled communications. Learn more »
Mobility Enables True Unified Communications
Deploying UC in conjunction with a mobility solution can increase employee productivity and improve customer service enabling workers to more easily collaborate from disparate locations. Learn more »
Making Consumer TwoFactor Authentication Cost-Effective
Offering your customers the security of two-factor authentication can help you boost your online business. Learn more »
Solve Five Key IT Security Challenges
Get a high level of security with minimal user impact. Learn more »
 
SPONSORED LINKS
 

Top 10 Lessons Learned for Corporate 3G Mobile Broadband Deployments

Mobile Security: The Essential Ingredient for Today's Enterprise

White Paper: Legacy Tools: Not Built for the Helpdesk

Learn how to maximize the mobile web opportunity

Upgrading to VMware vSphere with vWire

Maximizing website Return on Information with high-quality search

See how AT&T can help protect your network.

Webcast: Unleashing the Power of Customer Data

White Paper: Improve Agility with Operational Responsiveness

Taking a Seat at the Executive Table: The Reality of Virtualization

White Paper: Next Generation Remote Infrastructure Management

Keeping Your Members Safe from Online Scams and Predators

The Total Economic Impact of Network Security Intrusion Prevention

Generation Remote Infrastructure Management - Changing the Paradigm

Cloud-Based Email Management: Opinion Shifts In Favor

eBook: How Can You Make Your People Productive Anywhere?

Achieving Business Agility with Application Grid

Taking the Service Desk to the Next Level

Learn about The Information Technology Infrastructure Library.

Return on Information: Google Enterprise Search pays you back. Get the facts.

VMware. The source for Business Infrastructure Virtualization.

ShoreTel tells businesses to untangle from competitors' complexity and turn to its brilliantly simple UC solution

Top Five CIO Challenges

Read the RSA report: Security for Business Innovation

64-page prescriptive guide to security, compliance, and IT operations.

4G Revisited. The Continued Evolution of Wireless Mobility.

White Paper: 5 Best Practices for Smartphone Support

Five-Step Mobility Management Plan

White Paper: Visibility and the New Normal of Mobile Work

Return on Information: Google Enterprise Search pays you back

Cut Costs & Green Your IT Operations with PC Power Management

White Paper: 4 Customer Service Myths

White Paper: Managed Security for a Not-So-Secure World

Global Research: CIOs Weigh In On Virtualization

5 Key Virtualization Management Challenges

Secure Email and Web-Based Communication from Evolving Attacks

WagerWorks Takes Fraudsters Out of the Game using iovation

Seven Design Requirements for Web 2.0 Threat Protection

Increase UPS efficiency without sacrificing protection.

Learn how advanced forecasting tools can deliver significant business results for global corporations.

Lower IT Costs with Oracle Database 11g Release 2

Ready to virtualize tier one applications? Check your virtualization maturity.

Seven Ways ITIL Can Help You in an Economic Downturn

Tips for successful virtualization management.

AT&T Synaptic Storage as a Service. Expand on demand

Trend Micro ranked #1 against real-world malware. Read more.

Webinar: Jump-start your in-house e-discovery with Ringtail QuickCull from FTI Technology

Streamline IT Costs. Boost Performance with WAN Optimization.

Build your 1st app FREE with Force.com

TDWI checklist helps define data readiness for analytics. Download report.

 
 
RESOURCE CENTER