Apple and IBM delivered the first wave of IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions in a new class of made-for-business apps and supporting cloud services that bring IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities to iPhone and iPad users in the enterprise.

IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions are now available to enterprise customers in banking, retail, insurance, financial services, telecommunications and for governments and airlines, said a statement.

The IBM clients who have announced support for IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions include Citi, Air Canada, Sprint and Banorte.

Bridget van Kralingen, senior vice president, IBM Global Business Services, said: ”What we’re delivering aims directly at the new quest of business — smart technologies that unlock new value at the intersection of big data and individual engagement.

“Our collaboration combines IBM’s industry expertise and unmatched position in enterprise computing, with Apple’s legendary user experience and excellence in product design to lift the performance of a new generation of business professionals.”

Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said: “This is a big step for iPhone and iPad in the enterprise, and we can’t wait to see the exciting new ways organisations will put iOS devices to work.

“The business world has gone mobile, and Apple and IBM are bringing together the world’s best technology with the smartest data and analytics to help businesses redefine how work gets done.”

In targeting key opportunities and priorities within industries, IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps will take enterprise mobility a level deeper, helping employees access their company’s full capabilities wherever they interact with clients — faster, easier and more securely than ever before.

Built exclusively for iPhone and iPad, the apps will be delivered in a secure environment, embedded with analytics and linked to core enterprise processes.

The apps can be customised for any organisation and easily deployed, managed and upgraded via cloud services from IBM specifically for iOS devices, with security across the data, app and device.

This first suite of IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions are now available across multiple industries, with additional apps being continuously designed and developed including ‘Plan Flight’ and ’Passenger+’ (travel and transportation); ‘Advise & Grow’ and ‘Trusted Advice’ (banking and financial markets); ‘Retention’ (insurance); ‘Case Advice’ and ‘Incident Aware’ (government); ‘Sales Assist’ and ‘Pick & Pack’ (retail); and ‘Expert Tech’ (telecommunications).

To supplement the IBM MobileFirst for iOS apps, the partnership between Apple and IBM will offer business customers additional levels of capability integrated for enterprise mobility, including mobile platform and enterprise integration; supply, activate and manage; and AppleCare for the enterprise. - TradeArabia News Service