The Apple iPhone was launched on June 29th, 2007. This marked Apple’s introduction into the wireless phone market with a solution that is part phone, part iPod, and part Internet communicator. Analysts may not agree on what the market share of the iPhone will be after its debut, but they all agree that the hype has fueled a lot of con-sumer demand, and that the devices will inevitably show up in the corporate environ-ment. When that happens, businesses need to be prepared – and it is best to prepare now before iPhones begin to show up in your business.

Specifically with the iPhone, it is important to know some facts about the product be-fore anyone decides to use it as a business tool. First and foremost, it is essential to understand that the iPhone is a consumer product not a business product. It was not designed with security or business productivity as its number-one focus, and as such, will impact the security of any data that is on it. It does not have a “remote-wipe” fea-ture in the event of theft, and it cannot be centrally administered or de-activated from your business. Using the device for corporate email can potentially impact regulatory and legal compliance for your company.