Book Review: iPad in the EnterpriseBook Review: iPad in the Enterprise

In some circles, the Apple iPad has become the primary focus of the larger consumerization of IT discussion. Certainly in the circles Nathan Clevenger runs with. The iPad, as do other items of consumer electronics finding their way into corporate IT arsenals, brings power and flexibility to the mobile enterprise. The goal of iPad in the Enterprise: is to show readers how to develop a mobile strategy, ensure application and data security, and design and deploy apps that optimize iPad characteristics and capabilities for their business needs.

I had a difficult time separating all the strident Apple zeal from the main thesis, but once I was able to filter it out I found a lot of value in the book. Mr. Clevenger declares that Apple turned the world upside down with the introduction of the iPad, the only piece of technology ever to empower the poor end user over oppressive corporate IT. There's an evangelical quality to the book that I could do without. However, I was able to look past it and draw real value from the rest, especially parts 3 (Design), 4 (Development), and 5 (Deployment).

iPad in the Enterprise is an extremely informative and helpful book for those seeking to understand the role of consumer mobile devices--the iPad in particular--within corporate IT. This is a subject that Clevenger certainly understands. He has over 12 years of experience developing mobile software and is enterprise editor for iPhone Life magazine. His thorough understanding of consumer and enterprise mobility is evident as he guides the reader through a strong overview of how--and why--the iPad can be used to solve business problems. He provides plenty of examples including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and travel verticals both for employee and consumer usage.

The structure of the book makes sense and starts by introducing the reader to very general concepts in sections including Understanding the Mobile Landscape, Embracing the Consumerization of IT, Developing an Enterprise Mobility Strategy, and Creating an Application Road Map. And, just because this is BYTE and we love to talk about the consumerization of IT, Clevenger's discussion of the topic is worthy of mention. I feel that the author does a very good job explaining how the consumerization of IT is changing the way businesses develop and use applications. He definitely did his homework and there are plenty of quotes from industry leaders about how consumer devices are affecting their IT organizations.

I enjoyed this quote from John Dix, editor-in-chief of Network World:

Chapter 4, Creating an Application Roadmap, is where I thought it got interesting. Clevenger gives literally dozens of examples of how an iPad can be used. Examples are organized by vertical (consumer goods, financial services, etc), by horizontal (business intelligence, consumer self-service), and by whether they are internally or externally facing. Management looking to understand how a mobile strategy will benefit its business will find tremendous value in this chapter.

There's a lengthy discussion of architectures that helps the reader decide whether to build or buy apps, followed by a description of various typical enterprise application frameworks (such as the difference between client/server and Web applications). Particular attention is paid toward making sure that the mobile strategy and application architecture will be interoperable with existing enterprise IT systems and how data can be exposed through Web Services.

The Design discussion contains some very good guidelines for anyone designing mobile user interfaces. I like the way Clevenger starts with something as simple as paper stencils for mockup and builds, and over a series of chapters creates prototype applications. The section Embracing the iOS User Interface Paradigm covers how to develop an app that provides a typical Apple experience such as using multi-finger gestures and implementing popover menus.

Part 4, Development, discusses how to build iPad applications using various frameworks: HTML5, Objective-C, C#.NET, MEAPs. Of particular interest to me is Chapter 16, Ensuring Application and Data Security, where Clevenger explains the available configuration options for the iPad and iPhone with respect to security. I think it's important that this chapter starts with an explanation of sandboxing and pays attention to developing enterprise mobile security standards focused on industry best practices.

The last few chapters contain a great deal of valuable information for IT staff who are in the trenches dealing with deploying and supporting mobile applications in an enterprise setting. Clevenger walks the reader through creating configuration XML files and how to build an enterprise app catalog. Finally, the book finishes up with a chapter about Managing and Securing the Deployment. This begins with an explanation of Exchange ActiveSync and its capabilities. Then, for those of us who want more management options, Clevenger discusses mobile device management, going beyond a simple listing of vendors and solutions to include tips for evaluating MDM solutions.

Overall, iPad in the Enterprise provides a great overview for technology managers and business people about the impact of the iPad (and other consumer devices) on corporate computing. I think it's a little light on the hard-core tech aspects, so developers, device administrators, and security administrators will need to look for deeper information elsewhere. But that's not really a knock against the book as it really isn't possible to be all things to all people. In conclusion, this is an excellent text for those focused on understanding mobile technologies and capabilities in order to develop a mobile IT strategy.

iPad in the Enterprise, by Nathan Clevenger. Wiley Publishing Inc.
Summary: If you can look past the author's sycophantic devotion to Steve Jobs, you'll find valuable technical insight into the use of the iPad in business.
Price: $44.99
ISBN: 978-1-118-02235-1

Matt Sarrel is executive director of Sarrel Group, a technology product testing, editorial services, and consulting firm with offices in New York and San Francisco.