Deploying iPhone and iPod Touch

iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad are designed to easily integrate with your enterprise systems, including Microsoft Exchange 2003 and 2007, 802.1X-based secure wireless networks, and Cisco IPSec virtual private networks. As with any enterprise solution, good planning and an understanding of your deployment options make deployment easier and more efficient for you and your users. When planning your deployment of iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, consider the following:

• How will your company’s iPhones and iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G models) be activated for wireless cellular service?

• Which enterprise network services, applications, and data will your users need to access?

• What policies do you want to set on the devices to protect sensitive company data?

• Do you want to manually configure devices individually, or use a streamlined process for configuring a large fleet?

The specifics of your enterprise environment, IT policies, wireless carrier, and your computing and communication requirements affect how you tailor your deployment strategy.

Each iPhone must be activated with your wireless carrier before it can be used to make and receive calls, send text messages, or connect to the cellular data network. Contact your carrier for voice and data tariffs and activation instructions for consumer and business customers.

You or your user need to install a SIM card in the iPhone. After the SIM card is installed, iPhone must be connected to a computer with iTunes to complete the activation process. If the SIM card is already active, iPhone is ready for immediate use; otherwise, iTunes walks you through the process of activating a new line of service. iPad must be connected to a computer with iTunes to activate the device. For iPad Wi-Fi + 3G in the U.S., you sign up and manage (or cancel) an AT&T data plan using iPad. Go to Settings > Cellular Data > View Account. iPad is unlocked, so you can use your preferred carrier. Contact your carrier to set up an account and obtain a compatible micro SIM card. In the U.S., micro SIM cards compatible with AT&T are included with iPad Wi-Fi + 3G.

Although there is no cellular service or SIM card for iPod touch and iPad Wi-Fi, they must also be connected to a computer with iTunes for activation.Because iTunes is required in order to complete the activation process, you must decide whether you want to install iTunes on each user’s Mac or PC, or whether you’ll complete activation for each device with your own iTunes installation.

After activation, iTunes isn’t required in order to use the device with your enterprise systems, but it’s required for synchronizing music, video, and web browser bookmarks with a computer. It’s also required for downloading and installing software updates for devices and installing your enterprise applications.