Apple and IBM enter into partnership to develop business apps

Two of the biggest multinational companies in the world, Apple and IBM, have formed an ‘exclusive partnership’ that will see them develop innovative apps aimed at the business world.

Apple and IBM revealed that they are working on a ‘new class’ of applications focused on enterprises, in what is a landmark partnership.

One of the biggest outcomes of this new working relationship is the assimilation of IBM’s big data and analytical capabilities into Apple’s products, namely its iPhone and iPad. Both corporations said the deal marks a breakthrough in their approach to their respective spheres of expertise.

This deal also provides Apple and IBM with the authority and scope needed to address industry mobility challenges and “spark true mobile-led” business change.

“iPhone and iPad are the best mobile devices in the world and have transformed the way people work with over 98 per cent of the Fortune 500 and over 92 percent of the Global 500 using iOS devices in their business today,” commented Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple.

“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.”

Ginni Rometty, chairman, president and chief executive of IBM, added that mobility, in unison with the explosive growth and influence of data and cloud applications, is revolutionising the way businesses operate in “historic ways”.

“This alliance with Apple will build on our momentum in bringing these innovations to our clients globally, and leverages IBM’s leadership in analytics, cloud, software and services,” he continued.

“We are delighted to be teaming with Apple, whose innovations have transformed our lives in ways we take for granted, but can’t imagine living without.”

The ethos behind the partnership is centred on developing four key capabilities, including a new class of more than 100 industry-specific enterprise solutions; a novel IBM cloud service geared towards iOS; a new support service for the apps; and packaged offerings from IBM (device activation, supply and management).