Apple And IBM Create MobileFirst To Tackle Enterprise

Apple and IBM have teamed up to "transform enterprise mobility" via apps. The two companies will combine their efforts, and bring a new class of enterprise-focussed apps designed to "redefine the way work will get done".

The partnership will see both the iPad and iPhone with apps developed exclusively from the ground-up, dubbed MobileFirst, where Apple and IBM say they can turn out 100 or more apps for us. IBM will also bring their cloud services to iOS, including device management, security, and analytics.

Apple Care is also be tailored to enterprise, though details on that are still sketchy outside of offering 24/7 support. IBM will offer packages to companies that bring device activation, supply, and management to the fold. Essentially, Apple is teaming up with the biggest name in enterprise to solidify their place as a powerhouse platform for the business sector.

In announcing the partnership, Apple CEO Tim Cook had this to offer:

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. 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 for Apple. This is a radical step for enterprise and something that only Apple and IBM can deliver.

Rather than come at a similar issue at different directions, Apple and IBM have pooled their efforts. Apple has an impressive suit of productivity apps, and IBM has existing enterprise solutions and Big Data. The partnership could end up being much more than simply getting iOs devices in the hands of executives worldwide.