Key Facts Name Apple Inc. Unique ability to design and develop proprietary hardware, software, applications and services Apple Inc.’s ability to design and develop its own hardware, software, applications and services allows the company to introduce unique, innovative and easy-to-use products and solutions for its customers.
Unique, innovative and easy-to-use products and services that integrate seamlessly into one Apple ecosystem are the reasons why customers buy Apple’s premium products and enjoy using them. In other words, it creates a competitive advantage no other company can match. Apple’s product ecosystem Source: Strategic Management Insight Apple’s ecosystem is the result of the company’s ability to proprietary hardware, software, applications and services. Many of Apple’s competitors have tried and still try to imitate the success of Apple’s product ecosystem, but fail due to not having strong capabilities in designing, manufacturing and developing both hardware and software, applications and services., Apple’s strongest competitor, lacks a comprehensive OS and has very few apps and services to offer its customers., Apple’s second largest competitor is very strong on software, application software and services, but has only developed a few unsuccessful hardware products. Except for Google and Samsung Electronics, no other company could seriously attempt to challenge Apple’s. Powerful brand supported by strong advertising and marketing capabilities Apple is the world’s most valuable and recognizable brand. According to Interbrand 2 and Forbes 3, the Apple brand is worth US$184.154 billion and US$170 billion, respectively.
Brand value is closely related to its recognition, meaning that Apple is also one of the world’s most recognizable brands. Their brand recognition is supported by its vast product ecosystem. Moreover, Apple has a reputation of developing highly innovative, well designed, and well-functioning products, as well as for delivering a great customer experience and sound financial performance.
The company has been able to achieve such strong brand recognition and reputation through its strong advertising and marketing capabilities. Apple’s excellence in creating spectacular marketing campaigns, its superior advertising capabilities, premium quality products and ability to deliver an excellent customer experience has allowed the company to build the most powerful brand in the world. Access the full analysis. More Apple strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Show/Hide sources. Apple, Inc. Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017.
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