Testing the support of Apple products in the office, GE began a program last year to replace some of their 330,000 PC’s with Macs; though only about 1000 Macs have been put into place. About two years earlier, a year after the iPhone was introduced, GE gave employees the option to replace their Blackberry with an iPhone. While the popularity of the iPhone is still growing, only about 10,000 out of 60,000 have taken the option.

A recent IDG survey reported that Apple products popularity in the work place is on the rise overall. In fact, 83% of businesses won’t consider buying anything but Apple brand at all. The same study reports that over 90% of the iPads being used, are used for business.

[Source: Cult of Mac.Com]

 Patrick J. McGovern

IDG’s InfoWorld became online-only a little more than a year ago.  Prior to the change, "InfoWorld had a slight operating loss on monthly revenue of $1.5 million," according to Steve Lohr.  Now, "the InfoWorld Web site is generating ad revenue of $1.6 million a month with operating profit margins of 37 percent."

The shift from $1.5 million to $1.6 million in 13 months isn’t so impressive, but the move from a slight loss to a considerable profit certainly is.  Patrick J. McGovern, the founder and chairman of I.D.G., stated, "The excellent thing, and good news, for publishers is that there is life after print – in fact, a better life after print."

Perhaps not everyone can duplicate IDG’s success, but its methods deserve a look.  As IDG juggles different printed publications and websites, the company is putting shorter articles and lists online.  It’s trying to target specific interests.  And since working on printed material alone is portrayed as something approaching a punishment, all writers are allowed to float back and forth.

IDG expects more of its magazines to become online-only in the future.  Other publishers are sure to follow the same path, yet will perhaps do so with fewer misgivings thanks to IDG’s example.