Apple Watch: Tipping Point For The Mobile-First Enterprise?

The concept of mobile-first is certainly in full-force in the consumer world. Just look at the tremendous success of apps like Uber.

But the enterprise has been a different matter. True, smartphones are extremely popular in the workplace. Yet how many workers really use them to fundamentally change the way things are done?

So far, there hasn’t been an Uber moment.

However, as for Rajesh Ram, he thinks the time has come. His company, Egnyte (he is the co-founder and VP of Products), is making a big-time bet on the mobile-first enterprise.

And yes, a key part of this is the Apple Watch. Think of it as BYOWD or Bring Your Own Wearable Device.

“The potential is endless right now,” said Rajesh. “Folks are already developing at an aggressive pace to try and make that first 'home run' application on the device. While it will take time, there is some part of me that feels like it could end up being as commonplace as the iPad. Entire industries can benefit from being hands-free.”

In the case of Egnyte, Rejesh sees immediate opportunities with his construction customers, like Balfour Beatty , Devcon, and PC Construction. “The Watch should be very helpful when working out in the field,” he said. “Field workers can receive notifications about updates made to a floor plan or blueprints on the fly without dropping everything they are doing."

To push this along, Egnyte is launching a major revamp of its storage products, making them available on Android, iOS and Windows. Some of the features include: seamless management of online and offline content; access to hi-res thumbnails and previews; and improved onboarding. As for the Apple Watch, a user can manage offline folders from their iPhone, monitor the status of uploads/downloads and of course, get notifications, such as for when files are received, commented on or edited.

According to Rajesh: “We are able to create an open environment for our customers that allows their users to feel comfortable using the device of their choice. By optimizing our apps on all of these platforms for both phone and tablets (as well as the Apple Watch) and leveraging them with our unique hybrid technology, we are providing one of the safest and most user-friendly experiences on the market today."

It’s true that there is no guarantee that the Watch will be a hit. Let’s face it, the technology is still a bit mystifying to many.

But perhaps the enterprise is where many surprises will happen. “Regardless of the success of the Apple Watch,” said Rajesh, “we have learned from the success of devices like the iPad, which can be considered the most recent enterprise 'game-changer'. We cannot afford to not be in the Apple Watch game. It's our goal to ensure we are constantly innovating - and the Apple Watch is no exception."

Tom Taulli (@ttaulli) is the founder of Option Taxes, which offers an iPhone app for employee stock options.