Could the reign of the BlackBerry as the City's smartphone of choice be coming to an end?
Last month, two Deutsche Bank analysts released a report praising Apple's corporate email services, following a two-month trial in which they swapped their BlackBerry handsets for iPhones.
Now UBS has confirmed that more than 1,000 staff members are taking part in a pilot program that allows them to access company emails, calendars and contacts using a secure application for the iPhone and iPad.
A spokesman for UBS said employees across the bank's divisions had been testing the app since it was launched last year, although the bank stressed it was for use on personal handsets and it doesn't offer Apple devices to its staff.
Despite being better known for entertaining distractions like music or the popular Angry Birds game, Apple's products are rapidly gaining traction in the business world.
Last week Deutsche Bank technology analysts Chris Whitmore and Joakim Mahlberg sent out a research note comparing BlackBerry and iPhone functions for business users.
In the report, Mr. Whitmore, who has a history of tipping Apple stock, said the iPhone was better able to combine personal and corporate use, while its ability to access multiple apps, such as Bloomberg's, was a selling point.
He concluded: "After testing corporate email on iPhone for the past few months, there is no going back. We expect a lot of users will feel the same way when iPhones are offered at their workplaces."
The Deutsche analysts were using the Enterprise email system, which they say is: "served using Microsoft Exchange through a Good Technologies interface which looks and feels like accessing a Gmail account on the iPhone."
They "found Enterprise email on iPhone was a fantastic experience as it was easy/faster to access data [with a touch user interface] than on the BlackBerry."
A spokesman for Deutsche said the report was the opinion of analysts testing new technology rather than firm policy; however it will be further cause for concern for BlackBerry makers Research in Motion.
Commenting on its own program, UBS group's Chief Information Officer Michele Trogni told The Wall Street Journal: "Employees have reacted very positively to this pilot and the bank is now testing many further applications on Apple and other mobile devices that will drive productivity for our staff and clients."
Meanwhile Eversheds, a U.K. top-10 law firm, launched a trial last year in which it offered free iPads to 50 staff members. Eversheds' chief information officer Paul Caris described it as a "phenomenal success" and has now procured an additional 250 to give to employees; even the firm's managing partner Lee Ranson uses one.
The iPads are used alongside, rather than instead of, corporate phones, usually as an alternative to a laptop, and staff are free to use them for personal as well as business applications. Mr. Caris says this is a key factor in their success, adding: "How many people actually enjoy the experience of accessing corporate systems?"
In terms of business phones, the firm allows staff to choose whether they would like to use a BlackBerry, iPhone or rival models made by Google or Microsoft.
And in November last year it emerged JP Morgan was distributing free iPads to associates in its investment-banking division. A leaked email said the pilot program would last until May, when the bank would decide whether or not to extend it, it was reported.
"We believe there are real benefits in our working environment that can be realized using this device—as well as the personal productivity and enjoyment that come as part of the package," the email said. JP Morgan, however, declined to comment. Last year Standard Chartered became the first major bank to officially switch to Apple, offering iPhones to 15,000 of its employees.
Research in Motion has responded by launching a tablet device of its own, due for release this year. The firm also declined to comment.
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