Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) signed an exclusive partnership agreement to transform the enterprise mobility by bringing a new class of business apps to the iPhone and iPad.
Apple – IBM partnership redefining how work gets done
According to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), its partnership with International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) aims to redefine how work gets done, address the key challenges confronting the mobile industry, and ignite a true mobile-led business change.
The iPhone and iPad maker said the objectives of its partnership with International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) are founded with four-core capabilities including:
- a new class of more than 100 industry-specific enterprise solutions including native apps, developed exclusively from the ground up, for iPhone and iPad
- unique IBM cloud services optimized for iOS, including device management, security, analytics and mobile integration
- new AppleCare service and support offering tailored to the needs of the enterprise
- new packaged offerings from IBM for device activation, supply and management
IBM MobileFirst for iOS Solutions
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) emphasized that the new IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions will be developed using the unique strengths of both tech giants—IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities Apple’s consumer experience, hardware and software integration and developer platform.
Combining the capabilities of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) will create apps that enable businesses and employees achieve new levels of efficiency, effectiveness and customer satisfaction using the iPhone and iPad.
A radical step for enterprise
In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, the “iPhone and iPad are the best mobile devices in the world and 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.”
Cook added, “For the first time we’re putting IBM’s renowned big data analytics at iOS users’ fingertips, which opens up a large market opportunity for Apple. This is a radical step for enterprise and something that only Apple and IBM can deliver.”
On the other hand, IBM Chairman and CEO Ginni Rometty said, “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.”
International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) agreed sell iPhones and iPads with industry-specific solutions to business clients worldwide as part of the IBM MobileFirst for iOS agreement.
