Apple and IBM have announced the first round of IBM MobileFirst apps for enterprise iOS users, a first from their landmark partnership which happened earlier this year.
These include apps built for Citi, Air Canada, Sprint and Banorte, and allow for various functions which include flight planning, financial advice, customer retention, government case worker support and sales assistance, to name a few.
Organisations can customise and link it to their own internal business services. According to IBM, security is a top priority, since the apps will store sensitive company data, and they’ll provide valuable analytics too.
This first app from IBM/Apple partnership makes it clear that the app side of the equation is going to be about providing analytics-driven, secure software that covers a range of industry verticals, and that can be tweaked to suit the needs of any particular customer organisation.
“What we’re delivering aims directly at the new quest of business—smart technologies that unlock new value at the intersection of big data and individual engagement,” said IBM Global Business Services senior vice president Bridget van Kralingen.
She further stated, “Our collaboration combines IBM’s industry expertise and unmatched position in enterprise computing, with Apple’s legendary user experience and excellence in product design to lift the performance of a new generation of business professionals.”
“This is a big step for iPhone and iPad in the enterprise, and we can’t wait to see the exciting new ways organisations will put iOS devices to work,” says Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Philip Schiller. “The business world has gone mobile, and Apple and IBM are bringing together the world’s best technology with the smartest data and analytics to help businesses redefine how work gets done.”
IBM has also released Incident Aware app for iOS which is designed to turn an iPhone into a crime prevention aid for law enforcement officers. Incident Aware includes real-time access to maps and video-feeds of incidents, and the ability for officers to call for back-up or support. There are also two airline-focused apps debuting today that help pilots to be more fuel efficient, and allow crew members to offer baggage information, re-booking services, and special offers to customers’ onboard flights. Other apps include sales systems for retailers, and a tech expert help app to assist customers through FaceTime.
Clearly, by working with an established enterprise player like IBM, Apple is hoping to bolster its business credentials and lure in more customers for its hardware by providing essential enterprise features on tap. And also security among the top features on every organisations list, both tech giants are looking to make the most out of these enterprise apps which have been dominated by Blackberry for a while.
