Apple today announced the debut of Apple Business Essentials, a new subscription-based service that provides small businesses with up to 500 employees with device management such as setup and onboarding, iCloud storage, and optional 24/7 access to Apple Support.
Apple Business Essentials allows small businesses to configure, deploy and manage Apple products from anywhere. There will also be an Apple Business Essentials app that employees can access to download corporate applications such as Webex or Microsoft Word.
Within Apple Business Essentials, IT staff can use collections to configure settings and apps for individual users, groups or devices. When employees log in with their credentials on their company or personal device, the collections automatically transmit settings such as VPN configurations and WiFi passwords. The collections also install the new Apple Business Essentials app on each employee's home screen, from where they can download the company apps assigned to them, such as Cisco Webex or Microsoft Word.
Apple Business Essentials: AppleCare+ to be added as well
Apple Business Essentials is available today as a free beta version for small businesses in the US with up to 500 employees available and will be fully available in spring 2022. Prices range from $2.99 per user per month to $12.99 per user per month, depending on the number of devices and the amount of iCloud storage each user needs.
Starting in spring 2022, there will be an option to add AppleCare+ to an Apple Business Essentials plan, which offers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week phone access to Apple Support, training for IT administrators and employees, and up to two device repairs per plan per year. Employees can arrange repairs directly through the Apple Business Essentials app. An Apple-trained technician can be on-site within four hours. Do you already know the early Black Friday deals on Amazon? Stop by, there are dozens of bargains to be found. (Image: Apple)
