There are a lot of Apple-branded devices out there in the business world. A lot more Windows machines, maybe, but Apple does have a footprint. So, it’s probably about time the company launches something suited just for those users, outside of hardware. And that’s where Business Essentials comes in.
On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, Apple officially announced what it calls Apple Business Essentials. The new program, which is designed for businesses of all sizes, offers up a variety of different things. That includes onsite repairs, 24/7 access to Apple Support, device management, and iCloud storage. Apple says this is all available in one subscription cost that should be affordable to small businesses.
Apple even notes that Business Essentials is designed for businesses with up to 500 employees.
In addition to that, there is a brand new Business Essentials app, which will let employees request support and download apps dedicated to the job. From today’s announcement:
Small businesses are at the core of our economy, and we’re proud that Apple products play a role in helping these companies grow,’ said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Enterprise and Education Marketing. ‘Apple Business Essentials is designed to help streamline every step of employee device management within a small business — from setup, onboarding, and upgrading, to accessing fast service and prioritized support, all while keeping data backed up and secure, so companies can focus on running their business.
You can see Apple’s promotional video for the new service above. It’s worth noting that this is a beta program right now, so it’s possible that details and availability and services will change over time.
For IT managers, Apple Business Essentials will let them set up for individual employees, groups of varying sizes, and even single devices. Signing into a registered device, for example, will automatically set up certain features on the device, including a VPN if needed, and also Wi-Fi information so the device automatically connects. The Apple Business Essentials app will need to be installed on each employee’s device, though.
Pricing and availability
Apple Business Essentials is available now for companies invested in it, even in its beta stage. Pricing will depend on the needs of the business. Each individual in the company can have up to three devices managed by the program, and have up to 2TB of iCloud storage. Monthly pricing starts at $2.99. AppleCare+ for Business Essentials, which includes access to the 24/7 Apple Support, is an optional add-on.
The service will officially launch out of beta sometime in the spring of 2022.