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Apple Corporate Customer: Aberration Or Leading Indicator?

Businesses aren't beating a path to Apple Computer's door for Mac systems. Just don't tell that to one IT training firm that reports a major corporate client is embracing the company's recently launched Mac certification class. You decide whether it's an isolated example of Mac support or an indicator of a broader trend.

Training Camp, a provider of diverse technical training courses, recently began offering an Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) course. The three-day session is neither certified nor blessed by Apple itself, but it is geared to helping students pass Apple's help desk certification test, says Joe Barnes, director of enterprise technology product management at Training Camp, Philadelphia.

A multibillion dollar firm in California that already was using the Training Camp for its IT education (including Microsoft courses and certification) had six of its IT pros take the ACHDS, and has six more on deck. "All their help desk and IT support people have to have that Apple certification," Barnes says. "It's a requirement of their jobs."

Barnes notes that the company -- which I hope to interview on a followup basis -- could be a candidate for additional Apple training, particularly when it comes to Apple server products.

Does this mean the tide is turning and Apple is making inroads in corporate America? I wouldn't necessarily go that far.

Apple's presence is strong enough -- and sizable enough -- that IT professionals must be certified to support it. But there's no indication it's the dominant platform inside this one company.

I see this as just one compelling example that flies in the face of tepid corporate interest.

But I'm more than willing to be proven wrong if additional readers come forward with examples of corporate customers embracing the Mac platform and making it a core part of their computing infrastructure.

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