Apple Launches 'Apple Business Essentials' For Businesses Using Apple Products

Apple Business Essentials

Google has it, and so does Microsoft. This time, it's Apple's turn to have its own.

Tech products can have more than many users. But those many users tend to come from just a few types. Most notably, they are users who just use the tech products for personal needs, while others use them for business purposes.

As for the latter, not only that they work with more data, as they also deal with sensitive materials like corporate secrets, customer data and more. What's more, in the world where remote work and hybrid working have become a norm, people need to have ways to safely work through the internet using whatever devices they own.

Apple is the tech giant known for its expensive products.

And this time, the company is introducing what it calls the Apple Business Essentials, targeted to companies and organizations that use, or wish to use Apple products.

Apple Business Essentials essentially combines device management, 24/7 phone support for IT and end-users, business iCloud storage, and an option for onsite repairs for companies and organizations with up to 500 employees.

Initially launched for free in its beta period for people in the U.S., Apple Business Essentials enable IT departments to configure settings and apps for individual users, groups, or stand-alone devices.

For example, when employees sign in to their business or personal device with their work credentials, Apple Business Essentials' Collections feature can automatically push key settings, like VPN configurations and Wi-Fi information to their devices.

Apple Business Essentials also enable things like a dedicated iCloud account for work, providing simple and secure storage, backup, and collaboration on files and documents.

IT managers can also enforce vital security settings, like FileVault for full-disk encryption on Mac computers, and use Activation Lock to protect corporate data if ever devices are lost or stolen.

And if employees use a personal device at work, Apple’s User Enrollment can create cryptographic separation for their work data to keep personal data private while company data remains secure.

In order for these to happen, the Apple Business Essentials app should be installed on each employee’s device, where they can download corporate App Store apps assigned to them.

According to an announcement by Apple Vice President Susan Prescott:

"Small businesses are at the core of our economy, and we’re proud that Apple products play a role in helping these companies grow. Apple Business Essentials is designed to help streamline every step of employee device management within a small business — from setup, onboarding, and upgrading, to accessing fast service and prioritized support, all while keeping data backed up and secure, so companies can focus on running their business."

There are three plans available, and each can be customized to support each user with up to three devices and up to 2 TB of secure storage in iCloud. Apple Business Essentials starts at $2.99 per employee per month.

It should be noted that most companies and organizations use Microsoft Windows, and that Microsoft's solutions on desktop, and Google's solutions for things related to the internet, remain the utmost standards.

Apple is often accused of not being business-friendly. But through Apple Business Essentials, this is changing.

Apple Business Essentials is meant to help ease the burden on companies that wish to use the Apple experience and ecosystem, versus having to mix and match Windows, Google, Android and others.

In other words, it simplifies employee onboarding by allowing small businesses to easily configure, deploy and manage Apple products from anywhere.

Published: 
15/11/2021