Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is moving into the enterprise sector. The consumer tech titan is looking to hedge its bets, or at least maximize growth potential, by convincing businesses of the utility of its devices. In the earnings call on Monday afternoon after the close, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer highlighted both the company’s current presence and the growth potential of the enterprise sector.
“It’s clear that the enterprise area has huge potential, and we’re doing well from a percentage of companies that are using iPhone and iPad. It’s up to unbelievable numbers. The iPhone is used in 97% of the Fortune 500, and 91% of the Global 500, and iPad is used in 98% of the Fortune 500 and 93% of the Global 500.”
Cook added that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) had already “done a lot of the groundwork” by gradually adding new enterprise-friendly features into iOS.
Business Insider Australia decided to do a little sleuthing to find out if Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is really serious about enterprise. BIA reasoned that if they were truly committed to trying to expand their footprint as a business equipment provider, then the company would be hiring a lot of people with enterprise experience.
The results of the sleuthing paid off as it appears Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) really is hiring for enterprise. The iPhone titan currently has 115 job openings that include the word “enterprise.” The positions listed include enterprise development engineers, enterprise software engineers, enterprise sales staff and a number of others.
Enterprise demand developed from BYOD trend
You could almost say Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s foray into the enterprise sector was by accident. Employees at businesses of all sizes began bringing their iPhones and iPads to the workplace a number of years ago, and eventually started to convince their bosses to let them access the network with their personal devices.
According to Apple, the bring your own device (BYOD) revolution is entering Phase 2, and now IT managers at companies such as Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL), British Airways plc (ADR) (OTCMKTS:BAIRY), Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:KND) and the National Football League are ordering iPhones ad iPads by the tens of thousands.
