The release of the iPhone 3G and 2.0 firmware last month gave the iPhone a number of required features for the enterprise. Still, there remains much debate surrounding the iPhone's suitability for business use. There are those that say no, a few that answer yes, and many more who hedge their bets with 'sort of.' At least one industry expert, Michael Gartenberg, says "absolutely."

Formerly an analyst with JupiterResearch, Gartenberg is now the VP of Mobile Strategy for Jupitermedia (the company that owns this site) and Editor of the MobileDevicesToday blog.

In a blog entry from yesterday, Gartenberg cites a number of reasons as to why he thinks the iPhone's already ready for the business market. Among them: the iPhone supports Exchange Active/Sync to provide over-the-air access to a user's calendars, contacts and e-mail; it is reasonably secure; and, importantly, with firmware 2.0 Apple's given IT the tools they need to successfully manage the iPhone remotely.

To Gartenberg many of the issues people cite as potential problems for business acceptance—such as the lack of removable battery, a touch-screen keyboard, AT&T as the only operator—shouldn't stop enterprises from supporting the iPhone. As these are issues that affect the individual and not the organization as a whole.

So, given what's good about the iPhone, if an employee finds it a suitable mobile to use, then IT should have no reason to deny them the chance to use it. A core framework for devices should be broad and inclusive enough to include the iPhone.

See Is the iPhone Suitable for Business Use? Yes at MobileDevicesToday for the full story.