Employees Prefer Apple in the Enterprise

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Microsoft Windows is considered the de facto standard for personal computing in the enterprise, but a new report from JAMF Software reveals that Apple is having a big impact on the workplace. JAMF, an Apple device management specialist, surveyed 480 business leaders and IT managers worldwide and found that if provided with a choice, most employees would pick an Apple iPhone, iPad or Mac for work purposes.

Seventy-nine percent of respondents said iOS, the operating system (OS) that powers the iPhone and iPad, was their mobile OS of choice. The top reason workers picked iOS is its ease of use (41 percent). The Mac also beat out PC with 75 percent of respondents, again largely due to the OS software’s ease of use.

Dean Hager, CEO of JAMF Software, credits the survey results to Apple’s user-focused approach to devices and software.

“Because Apple builds technology that puts people first, people prefer Apple,” said Hager in a statement. “When employers combine the freedom of choice with Apple, employees are happier and are empowered to be more productive–offering a huge business advantage.”

Age also plays a role, JAMF said. Generally, younger users gravitate toward Macs while the graying population prefer PCs.

“Employees between the ages of 18 and 54 overwhelmingly choose Mac, while those 55 and over are more comfortable using PCs,” stated the company. “However, when given a mobile device choice, nearly 80 percent of all age groups select iOS compared to just 18 percent who choose Android.”

JAMF’s findings suggest that the bring your own device (BYOD) movement and explosive smartphone and tablet adoption have revolutionized how businesses approach end-user IT.

Device choice programs (BYOD, employer-owned or both) have become the norm for 61 percent of those polled. And businesses that offer a device choice are likelier to have happier, more productive employees.

Nearly three quarters (73 percent) of respondents said choice programs are important to an organization’s well-being. The ability to select a device is a productivity booster, said 72 percent. Among those who aren’t currently given a choice in the matter by their employers, 70 percent said they feel that they deserve the right to select their own devices.

“Employees today not only want – but expect – the ability to choose the devices they are most comfortable with for work,” Hager noted.

Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at Datamation. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.