Apple Takes Aim at Businesses, Again

Apple today announced Apple Business, a new service for businesses, alongside the rumored Apple Maps advertising push.

“Apple Business is a significant leap forward in our decades-long commitment to helping companies of all sizes leverage the power of Apple products and services to run and grow,” Apple vice president Susan Prescott says. “We’ve unified Apple’s strongest business offerings into one simple, secure platform, delivering key features for organizations in every stage and sector, including built-in device management, collaboration tools, and additional ways to reach new customers. We can’t wait to see how Apple Business helps companies spend more time focusing on what they love and connecting deeply with their communities.”

Apple Business launches on April 14 in preview in the United States and 200 other countries, and it’s free for those already paying for Apple Business Connect, Apple Business Essentials, and Apple Business Manager. Once Apple Business launches in stable, the firm will discontinue those three previous services and migrate customers to the new service.

Apple describes Apple Business as “everything your business needs.” It includes mobile device management capabilities, business email, calendar, and directory services with a custom domain, and ways to connect with customers across Apple Maps, Mail, Wallet, Siri, and, coming this summer to the U.S. and Canada, Apple Maps. Apple Business customers can also purchase upgraded iCloud+ storage tiers on an employee-by-employee basis. And a companion Apple Business app will help employees “install apps for work, view colleague contact information, and request support while on the go.”

You can learn more about Apple Business on the Apple website.