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iPhone and iPad maker joins forces with business software specialist to boost its enterprise focus.
Apple and SAP have formed a partnership that is expected to further extend the iPhone maker’s reach into the enterprise sector through the development of mobile apps designed for corporate users.
Germany-based business software specialist SAP said it would work with Apple to develop mobile business apps for iPhones and iPads that run on its HANA database software, combining the SAP HANA Cloud Platform and SAP S/4HANA, together with iOS, the Apple operating system.
The companies also said they plan to provide an iOS software development kit (SDK) and training academy so that developers, partners and customers can build native iOS apps tailored to their business needs.
Reuters noted that the partnership further underlines Apple’s commitment to the enterprise market: the U.S.-based computer and mobile device giant has already established partnerships with IBM and Cisco Systems in the past two years in an effort to reach more business professionals. In September, Apple also introduced the iPad Pro tablet for business users with a bigger screen and a stylus.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said SAP was the “ideal partner” for the company’s push into the enterprise sector, noting that 76% of business transactions now touch an SAP system.
“This partnership will transform how iPhone and iPad are used in enterprise by bringing together the innovation and security of iOS with SAP’s deep expertise in business software,” Cook said.
Reuters added that Cook said last year that Apple’s enterprise business had generated $25 billion, or about 14% of the company’s revenue, in the past year.
The company will certainly need to find ways of offsetting falling sales of consumer smartphones and tablets: in April the company reported declines in fiscal second-quarter revenue and profit, driven by the strength of the U.S. dollar and lower device shipments.
Bloomberg said the deal between SAP and Apple was sealed last October and would give Apple access to tens of thousands of companies that run SAP’s business software and about 2.5 million developers who customise its programmes.
