Dear Apple Devs, I have been engaging with the community about OS X Server for some time, please forgive me if I sound repetitive.
I want to urge Apple to return to building enterprise-grade server hardware and software. This would not only help to sell more iOS and Mac devices, but it would help the developer community target a market that is rich for development - the enterprise. Enterprises are a much more steady and reliable source of income than the consumer market, as they sign multi-year contracts that are worth a great deal of money. Apple devs would also be able to engage with enterprises, and sell their software and apps to businesses of all sizes, presenting a huge opportunity to them.
One of Apple's gravest blunders was to cancel the XServe. XServe hardware allowed businesses to install server hardware in their server closets, mounted in racks, and allowed the servers to be connected to RAID storage devices, allowing businesses to centralize their technology operations. OS X Server was also a more robust platform, although it lacked a good directory services architecture.
Apple needs to revivie server hardware, although they can name it something other than XServe, if they so desire. Also, Apple needs to replace Open Directory with an Active Directory-compatible system, allowing it to seamlessly work alongside Windows servers, and even to serve Windows domains itself. Prior to OS X 10.7 Lion, OS X Server did have the ability to act as a Windows Domain Controller. This funcionality MUST be added back to the product, although it should come in the form of a true Active Directory service, rather than a Windows NT-style setup.
OS X Server also needs the ability to be set up in clusters, allowing networks of servers to be created, to increase thier power. This would allow the system to be able to scale from small networks to big ones. This would also allow companies to integrate their own networks with cloud offerings provided by the likes of Apple, and other cloud providers.
One of the big problems with Apple technology had been that it did not work well with other systems. This liimited its appeal, and made it needlessly difficult for IT managers to bring Mac and iOS devices into their businesses. Apple really needs to get serious and understand that if they want to sell products to enterprises, they need to give IT departments the proper tools to manage these products. That means that Apple needs to build Active Directory services into OS X Server, as well as build as many Windows-compatible features into its products as possible. Apple can also extend its reach to UNIX and Linux setups too, since OS X is a UNIX system at its core.
Apple also needs to develop its own first-party Enterprise Mobility Management platform to tie into its MDM features that it makes available in OS X and iOS. This would allow for rich Mobile Device Management within enterprise networks, lessening the need for third-party solutions, and making it easier for IT managers to integrate the technology into its workplace.
Please help me continue this discussion, and carry the message to Apple that they need to embrace the enterprise by giving IT departments the proper tools that they need to manage their Apple devices in the workpalce. This will end up helping you to develop apps and applications that can purchased by businesses, opening new opportunities for you and increasing the installed base of Apple technology in enterprise networks.
Thank you so much!!
