Smart companies should consider Apple Macs to cut IT costs

20 years ago

“When it comes to IT investments by businesses large and small, it’s all about the numbers,” David Shipley writes for The New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. “There are other numbers beyond the sticker price business executives need to think about, particularly when making decisions about the next upgrade cycle. Known as total cost of ownership, such approach often leads companies to realize that higher-end computers offering more benefits than low-end machines because of increased worker productivity and longer lifespan.”

“Data theft, machine downtime, equipment repair, expensive scams and lost productivity are all things business leaders need to take into account when looking at computers and software. According to IT security firm Sophos Inc., there were 114,000 known viruses for the Windows platform in 2005, with a 44 per cent increase in malicious software. One in 44 e-mails in 2005 contained a virus.That’s reason to give any business pause. While companies are spending billions on anti-virus, spyware and anti-spam software, the onslaught from viruses continues to evolve with reports of organized crime now branching out online through theft of corporate secrets, blackmail and other scams” Shipley writes.

“Then there’s the Mac, which is virtually virus-free… While a few hackers have put out simple proof of concept viruses, there have been no widespread virus attacks on the Mac in the last five years. Apple’s Macs aren’t invulnerable, but the threats they face are the IT equivalent of a mild cold compared to the plethora of digital Ebola viruses infecting Windows,” Shipley writes. “Some argue that the Mac is immune from viruses because of its relative obscurity. Others argue its underlying take on computer security makes its more robust than Windows. Whatever the reason, it’s time for business people to stop thinking about Macs as a tool for the “graphics people.” It might just be time to move beyond total cost of ownership and to look at a new business term – competitive advantage. The good news for businesses looking at ditching Windows for Mac OS X is Apple’s latest generation of computers are competitively priced with similar offerings from other PC makers such as Dell or HP.”

“In March, Apple announced a new beta software program called Boot Camp that allowed users to install Windows XP alongside Mac OS X. This will enable users to continue to access Windows-only program while enjoying the security and features of Mac OS X. The only concern of course is that Macs running Windows are just as vulnerable to the same viruses that plague other PCs. The ability to boot between different operating systems is expected to be included in Apple’s next revision of OS X due in 2007,” Shipley writes. “Computers are a vital part of your operation whether you’re running a 10 person shop or a 1,000 person enterprise. But like any other business tool, they should just work. Sadly, in many cases, they don’t and cause businesses untold headaches. But perhaps an Apple or two can keep the more than 100,000 headaches away – or at least down to a far more manageable level.”

Full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Wolf” for the heads up.]

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