Apple, Inc. and Cisco Systems, Inc. has entered into a partnership in a bid to bring more iPhones and iPads to business audience, Fox Business reported.
The move, which was announced last week, is geared at helping Apple's mobile devices communicate more effectively on corporate networks where Cisco devices have dominated. Furthermore, it was announced that the plan was to jointly work on a technology that would allow workers with iPhones and iPads better exploit Cisco's collaboration products like video- and web-conferencing applications.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and Cisco Chairman John Chambers said their companies had spent 10 months working out specifics of the teamwork. Those specifics were then outlined to thousands of sales representatives of Cisco during a gathering in Las Vegas.
"It became clear to me that partnering with Cisco would yield the results that would enable us to transform work," Cook said in an interview.
"iOS is the world's best mobile platform, and nearly every Fortune 500 and Global 500 company today has put iOS at the center of their mobile strategy," Cook said in a release according to appleinsider. "iPhone and iPad have become essential tools for the modern workforce and are changing the way work gets done. Together with Cisco, we believe we can give businesses the tools to maximize the potential of iOS and help employees become even more productive using the devices they already love.
It was also reported that Apple, a leader in devices sold to consumer, has been taking steps to increase its presence in business. Last year, Apple had also formed a partnership with IBM (International Business Machines Corp.) in an effort to create apps for the workplace and in turn, IBM employees help sell Apple devices with corporate clients.
On the other hand, it has been reported by Fox Business that Cisco has been trying to narrow its focus to more profitable endeavors since Chuck Robbins assumed the CEO position for Chambers at the end of July. Cisco believes that the partnership with Apple "underscores a shift to alliances for the biggest industry players" with Chambers saying, "We are going to talk about a new generation of partnerships."
