Tech duo hook up to attack the mobile enterprise space with iOS biz appsApple and IBM sign a new global enterprise deal, IBM MobileFirst for iOS.
The two companies today revealed they are are working together to deliver mobile solutions to “transform” enterprise mobility bringing IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities to iPhone, iPad via IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions and new ‘made for business’ apps.
The partnership will address “key industry mobility challenges” and create apps that can transform how employees work on iPhone and iPad.
The enterprise apps will target “industry issues” in retail, healthcare, banking, travel and transportation, telecommunications and insurance, among others, available ‘later this year and into 2015.
The move marks a big push by Apple and IBM into the enterprise market, as growth in consumer devices slows.
Enterprise iPhone and iPads will feature IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions – 100 native apps, IBM cloud services; device management; workflow security; analytics.
The mobile platform will also offer new AppleCare support with 24/7 assistance and IBM services for device activation, private app catalog, data security, and a productivity suite.
IBM will sell iPhones and iPads with the solutions to business clients, with leasing options.
Tim Cook, Apple CEO says the IBM deal “opens up a large market opportunity for Apple.”
“iPhone and iPad have transformed the way people work with over 98 percent of the Fortune 500 and over 92 percent of the Global 500 using iOS devices in their business today,” said Cook.
“For the first time ever we’re putting IBM’s renowned big data analytics at iOS users’ fingertips, which opens up a large market opportunity.”
Ginni Rometty, IBM CEO says “this alliance with Apple will build on our momentum in bringing these innovations to our clients globally, and leverages IBM’s leadership in analytics, cloud, software and services.
“Our alliance will bring the same kind of transformation to the way people work, industries operate and companies perform.”
IBM and Apple will demonstrate the the new solutions at a series of global executive briefings starting in October.
