Apple is making a new move into the enterprise with the unveiling of AppleCare for Enterprise, a new service plan that’s designed to provide companies with technical support for iPhones, iPads and Macs when they need it.
The program, which stems from a collaboration between Apple and IBM, provides a number of benefits, including 24/7 tech support, and one-hour response time for urgent issues. It’s part of a broader push by Apple to make inroads among large businesses, which have traditionally been a bigger strength for Microsoft.
Businesses can pay for on-site hardware service, so a technician will come out to work on any problems users have.
In addition, companies with clumsy employees will be able to replace up to 10 percent of their iOS devices as a part of the AppleCare plan, so it’s not the end of the world if someone accidentally drops their iPhone in the toilet. Of course, once that 10 percent allotment is used up, businesses will have to purchase replacement devices like normal.
Businesses get an account manager who will review their IT infrastructure, and provide them with monthly reports about their support and maintenance calls.
The companies aren’t publicly disclosing the pricing.
This service is just one part of Apple’s deal with IBM. The other involves industry-specific apps for iOS that the two companies are developing together in an attempt to draw more interest from businesses in Apple’s hardware.
