IBM, Apple create partnership for enterprise mobility

In the business landscape, mobility is starting to gain a foothold. It is not uncommon to see mobile devices in the hands of employees at all levels being used to handle daily tasks. For sometime, Apple has been leading the way here, but that has happened reluctantly, as the enterprise has been secondary priority for the tech giant, falling behind consumers.

That changed this week as it has been announced that Apple and IBM are joining forces to improve business mobility. According to a press release from Apple, this "landmark partnership aims to redefine the way work will get done, address key industry mobility challenges and spark true mobile-led business change."

This will happen in four specific ways.

  • More than 100 industry-specific enterprise solutions including mobile applications that are created from scratch specifically for the iPhone and iPad
  • IBM cloud services optimization for the iOS platform that will focus on device management, security, analytics and mobile integration
  • New AppleCare service that is designed for enterprise needs
  • New offerings from IBM for device activation, supply and management.

Comments that Apple CEO Tim Cook and IBM CEO Virginia Rometty gave to the press, were recapped in a recent article from the Wall Street Journal.

"In '84, we were competitors. In 2014, I don't think you can find two more complementary companies," said Cook. "This is a really landmark deal."

Rometty added that "this is just the beginning."

This partnership will help push business mobility like never before. IBM gives a boost to the enterprise credibility that Apple has been building for the last few years and companies will need to be aware of it.