Apple and Deloitte are sending 5,000 trainers out to teach businesses how to use their iPhones and iPads
Apple is betting that if it’s going to really succeed in the enterprisespace, it needs partners.
The Cupertino giant is teaming up with consulting firm Deloitte tocreate “Apple Practices” for iPhone and iPad use by businesses. Thenew initiative, boasting 5,000 Deloitte advisors, will help companies getthe most out of iOS devices in the workplace, according to anannouncement yesterday (Sept. 28).
Under a new program, called EnterpriseNext, designers, developers, andindustry experts will help teach corporate firms how to use Apple’sphone and tablet in areas like recruitment, research and development,managing inventory, supply chains, and running back-office systems.Deloitte’s in-house developers will also help businesses create theirown high quality, native apps for iOS.
Apple did not immediately respond to Quartz’s questions about howmuch the service would cost and whether it is only available to Deloitteclients.
In 2015, business technology contributed $25 billion to Apple’s sales.Although that’s only a fraction of the $200 billion total, it representedgrowth of 40% compared to the year prior. Nearly half of all iPads arenow bought by corporations and governments. However, the companysays there’s still ample room to grow. “This is not a hobby,” CEO TimCook said at a Sept. 2015 conference. “It’s a very small amountcompared to what the opportunity is.”
In 2014, Apple partnered with IBM to create iOS-based apps dealingwith big data and analytics for the iPad, earning Apple a reputablepartner in the enterprise technology field where it had little experience.The duo have created a number of apps that marry design and data.Since then, the tech giant has also forged similar relationships withCisco and SAP.
The latest corporate push comes at a time when Apple is under pressureto find growth as iPhone sales have weakened. Even though thecompany has sold over 1 billion iPhones and the device still makes upthe bulk of its revenue, the reception toward its latest phones has beena mixed bag. Sales for its new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models are believedto be solid, but Apple refused to release first weekend sales figures as ithad done in the past.
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