Getting Macs into businesses despite the IT department

20 years ago

“Years ago computers were first bought mostly by companies to help with getting the jobs done. Next, after some time and the prices started coming down, company workers who saw how they worked at their job decided to get one for home “to do some work at home,” so that they could “get ahead” at work. Getting a computer for work and home is almost standard practice today among Americans,” Dennis Sellers writes for Macsimum News,

“But recently with all of the problems with Microsoft’s Windows problems and headaches more and more people are either switching from Windows to Macs at home or seriously considering switching. The reason? They see and experience all of the problems that they and their IT department has with the computers and the sometimes draconian way the IT department handles ‘new requests’ for changes to a worker’s computer; it becomes a fight to get things done. Some of the draconian ways the IT department handles things are necessary because of the lack of consistencies by company personnel, but this also prevents better tools like the Mac and Linux to break through the IT Windows shield,” Sellers writes.

“So more and more company employees are ditching their Windows computers and buying Macs for home,” Sellers writes.

“Is this the end of the issue? No. Because what we’re now seeing is that because of the downsizing, rightsizing, and other aspects of corporate shedding of jobs is that now the these workers are ‘thinking for themselves’ and switching to Macs because they know the problems they could have if they bought Windows for their own home and start up businesses,” Sellers writes. “…An interesting trend with the home purchases of Macs is that some of those hard-working people that are still working in corporate America are beginning to see what all older Mac users see: the myth that Macs are incompatible with Windows just isn’t true. They have been using their Macs at home for a while and are seeing how Macs can be favorably used in their work situations. They’re beginning to take their Mac laptops from home into work with them. They not only enjoy working on a Mac, but since they have fewer problems they’re able to get things done quicker on them at work.”

Sellers asks, “Would you rather take 30 steps to get something done on a Windows computer or about half that on a Mac? Then there are those who don’t use their work computer for much and don’t use all of its features because it’s too difficult to try to find out how to get something done or to get an answer to do a task. And some folks are simply tired of the number of reboots on a Windows system compared to a Mac. All these things result in saved time when using a Mac. It also means that employees are more productive when they’re happier—and that saves money for the company. Most of the problems come from the IT departments who see managers and directors buying Macs and tell them ‘so you bought into Apple’s marketing schemes’ when they bring in their Macs from home. But will upper or senior management listen to these cries of wanting better quality from the computer purchases?”

Sellers argues that Macs will come through corporate America’s back door in his full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: There are many other reasons why the “IT guy” doesn’t want to discuss Macs, from job security to quite powerful psychological issues. More on the latter here: Defending Windows over Mac a sign of mental illness.