Apple and IBM’s partnership yields fruit as the first enterprise-focused apps begin rolling out

Back in July, we reported that Apple and IBM were entering into a major new partnership that would see IBM rolling out its apps and services to iPhones and iPads in the enterprise, with IBM pushing Apple’s devices to its business customers.

Today, the first fruits of this technological tie-up are emerging, with a squadron of IBM MobileFirst for iOS services arriving for companies in banking, insurance, retail, telecommunications, financial services, governments, and airlines. Companies on board for launch include Citi, Air Canada, Sprint, and Banorte.

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While “security” is a key facet of the new arsenal of apps, they also come replete with analytics and are tethered to “core enterprise processes.” They’re customizable and, as you’d expect, can be deployed and controlled remotely via the cloud.

Some example includes “Plan Flight” for the travel industry, which lets pilots view flight schedules and plans, as well as crew manifests ahead of time. Similarly, “Passenger+” is geared toward flight crews, letting them offer personalized services to passengers during a flight, including special offers, re-bookings, and baggage information.

Over in the banking realm, Trusted Advice serves financial advisors with access to client portfolios, delivering insights via predictive analytics.

Apple will also be offering AppleCare as a service for the Enterprise, with IT departments and users tapping 24/7 support.

While the partnership did cause some surprises when it was first announced this summer, it makes sense on many fronts. Apple can continue to push into the business fraternity with enterprise-grade tools and services, while IBM gains access to a growing customer base already using iOS. It’s a win-win.

Meanwhile, check our full in-depth take on what this new partnership means for enterprises.