I’ve asked the question on this blog before, but I have to ask it again: Are you still waffling about supporting mobile devices, and, in particular, the iPhone?

You had better get it together. The heavies are starting to weigh in.

Resistance is futile, says one CIO. The iPhone is the most popular handheld device available.

Last month, Forrester Research released findings from a study that said IT departments are moving closer to supporting all mobile device platforms. Although BlackBerry (upwards of 60 percent) and Windows Mobile (40 percent) still take the lead, according to the study, one out of four companies now supports iPhones.

The only thing holding the iPhone back from catching up is its so-so security, which remains a big concern for CIOs. (There’s also that pesky issue of AT&T’s spotty coverage. But that’s for another time.)

Security doesn’t seem to be the main issue if you look at the results of a recent TechRepublic poll, which asked 300 CIOs if they support the iPhone, and their reasons for doing so or not doing so. TR editor in chief Jason Hiner posted the results on his blog and the findings have at least one common thread: The iPhone is still viewed as a personal “gadget,” and thus has no place in the enterprise.

Among the CIOs who said they do support the iPhone, the device’s potential to increase productivity was noted. One CIO pointed out that use of the device by traveling execs has decreased VPN support considerably. Another IT manager gushed about how the iPhone is less of a support hassle than other mobile devices.

By far, the two best quotes in Hiner’s piece are:

1. “We have found that resistance is futile. The iPhone is the most popular handheld device available. It has the best mobile browser and our sysadmins say it is a great device for remote systems administration.”
2. A second CIO stated that his company’s move to support the iPhone has resulted in a “decrease in the perception that IT is a wet blanket that is an impediment to the use of consumer-friendly products.”

Keep in mind, however, that supporting mobile devices such as the iPhone will not be without a few headaches for your IT department. According to a March 2009 study conducted by Zenprise Inc., downtime will be a key issue as the use of smart phones in the enterprise increases. (For more on downtime, read “Going Mobile.”) Because the majority of users are higher-profile employees, such as senior and middle managers, the downtime has a greater effect on the bottom line.

MORE INFO IN: Mobile Device Support | Coverage of PC Helps’ iPhone support in Computerworld.com | Contact PC Helps

admin BlackBerry, Mobile Devices, iPhone Forrester, Jason Hiner, smart phones, TechRepublic, Zenprise