Mikey Campbell
More than three months after Apple and IBM announced a partnership for business solutions, Apple has posted to its website a new AppleCare for Enterprise page touting onsite hardware repairs from IBM Global Technology Services, now a worldwide Apple Authorized Service Provider.
The AppleCare for Enterprise website offers a rundown of services, coverage and support business owners can expect when signing up for the program. While not an official announcement, the webpage suggests Apple's IBM partnership is in the first stages of rolling out to enterprise customers, as promised by Apple CEO Tim Cook during the company's most recent quarterly conference call.
According to Apple, the bedrock of AppleCare for Enterprise is the AppleCare Account Manager, who provides continuous support services like monthly repair reports, IT infrastructure review and troubleshooting. The Account Manager also liaises with AppleCare for quick resolutions.
As for IBM's involvement, the company is providing assistance with IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps, a suite of custom designed software tailored for the needs of individual markets. Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the company's quarterly conference call for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2014 that IBM will roll out solutions across banking, government, insurance, retail, travel and transportation, and telecommunications sectors. Previously, IBM noted it had development of more than 100 different native iOS apps for the program.
IBM will also facilitate onsite hardware repairs within one business day, while Apple handles next-day device replacements covering up to 10 percent of a company's total iPhones and iPads.
AppleCare for Enterprise appears to focus on expedient service, as Apple notes urgent calls will be answered within a one-hour time window, while a 24-hour technical help line is available to employees.
Apple and IBM announced the partnership in July as an extension of the "IBM MobileFirst for iOS" initiative.
Businesses interested in signing up for AppleCare for Enterprise are encouraged to ask either Apple or their IBM Account Executive for a quote.
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33 Comments
This has the potential to be huge. Not just for driving enterprise sales, but also for driving consumer sales. "Gee, honey, I've been using this iPad/iPhone from work and really like it, maybe we should get our own."
Oh Apple!! Clawing at that remaining %3 enterprise share huh?? I LOVE IT!!
Deeper into the goldmine of enterprise we go. Down into the rank and file, down where the pyramid gets really wide.
[quote name="TheWhiteFalcon" url="/t/183274/new-applecare-for-enterprise-website-features-ibm-it-support-suggests-imminent-rollout#post_2635448"]This has the potential to be huge. Not just for driving enterprise sales, but also for driving consumer sales. "Gee, honey, I've been using this iPad/iPhone from work and really like it, maybe we should get our own."[/quote] Not only that but as they will be focusing on customer facing sectors including retail, banking, insurance & travel it will have an even wider "halo" effect.
[quote name="Lolliver" url="/t/183274/new-applecare-for-enterprise-website-features-ibm-it-support-suggests-imminent-rollout#post_2635462"] Not only that but as they will be focusing on customer facing sectors including retail, banking, insurance & travel it will have an even wider "halo" effect.[/quote] Yep. And what the analysts missed is that, yes, the enterprise has deployed iPads in some capacity, but not in a widespread capacity. This will make them much more attractive. And I maintain that this is the biggest reason the Mini 3 exists, because TouchID is great for a corporate environment, and if your intended user doesn't need the size or power of an Air 2, why not save ~$100 per device and get them a Mini 3?