Apple and SAP SE Partnering to Create Customized iPhones and iPads For Work

By Jenn Loro - 07 May '16 09:19AM

Apple CEO Tim Cook has just forged a strategic partnership with German software enterprise SAP SE in a bid to establish a powerful footing in the corporate world by developing user-friendly applications specifically tailored to meet complex needs and demands of business enterprises.

This joint effort hopes to revolutionize mobile technology by creating a seamless work experience for enterprise clients of varying sizes and types by combining native apps for iPhone® and iPad® alongside SAP's cutting-edge platform.

The accord between the two technology giants will also introduce a new iOS software development kit (SDK) and organize a training academy to enable developers, partners and customers to create native iOS apps custom-designed for various enterprise needs.

"I think back to 2008 when we opened the App Store for consumers. This is sort of the equivalent of that for the enterprise space. Enterprise has not really taken advantage of all the great things that happen with mobility," said Cook as per Financial Post.

The accord, which was inked in October of last year, would lend Apple access to companies running on SAP-made business software alongside 2.5 million developers who access and manage these programs designed for business operations like accounting, manufacturing, sales and human resources.

"As the leader in enterprise software and with 76% of business transactions touching an SAP system, SAP is the ideal partner to help us truly transform how businesses around the world are run on iPhone and iPad," Cook said further as quoted in a report posted on SAP's website.

"Through the new SDK, we're empowering SAP's more than 2.5 million developers to build powerful native apps that fully leverage SAP HANA Cloud Platform and tap into the incredible capabilities that only iOS devices can deliver."

This is not the first time Apple ventured to make a dent into the business environment but it does make a lot of sense for the Cupertino-based giant following a plunging sales of iPhones in recent months aggravated by its current beef with the Chinese government over trademark issues with a Chinese company.

The company's 13-year dominance of smartphone sales seems to start losing steam after reports indicated 13% drop of its sales profit in the same quarter last year as mentioned by Pulse Headlines.