Apple heralds business push with Cisco partnership

New partnership sees Apple's iOS operating system combine with Cisco networks for businesses

Cisco has partnered with Apple in a bid to give businesses a "fast lane" for Apple's iOS operating system using Cisco's networks.

The new partnership sees Cisco's networks work with iOS devices, combining the iPhone and iPad with Cisco enterprise environments.

The pair are also working together to combine the iPhone with Cisco's video and voice environments, "with the goal of providing employees with a seamless experience between iPhone and their desk phone", according to a statement from Apple.

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, said the partnership can boost the productivity of business users.

"IOS is the world's best mobile platform, and nearly every Fortune 500 and Global 500 company today has put iOS at the centre of their mobile strategy," he said.

"The iPhone and iPad have become essential tools for the modern workforce and are changing the way work gets done. Together with Cisco, we believe we can give businesses the tools to maximise the potential of iOS and help employees become even more productive using the devices they already love."

In April Apple also announced it was teaming up with IBM on a big data business unit.

John Chambers, Cisco's executive chairman, said: "Ninety-five per cent of companies in the Fortune 500 count on Cisco Collaboration and Cisco networks to help their teams be more productive.

"Through this engineering and go-to-market partnership, we are offering our joint customers the ability to seamlessly extend that awesome Cisco environment to their favourite iOS devices. Together, we're going to help teams achieve higher levels of productivity and effectiveness."