Apple has just announced it will be partnering with SAP in order to “revolutionize the mobile work experience for enterprise customers of all sizes”. Apple will combine apps made for iPhone and iPad with the SAP HANA platform. The Apple and SAP team will also release a new iOS software development kit and training academy to help customers and partners build iOS apps for their business needs.
The Partnership
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that their partnership with SAP “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”.
SAP users will be able to powerful iOS apps using the SAP HANA Cloud Platform. Additionally users will have access live data from wherever they happen to be at the moment. Businesses will have the tools they need to create iOS apps, with location services and Touch ID, while giving access to data on the SAP platform.
What’s next over the horizon?
Users can expect the new SDK and academy before the end of the year. The apps that will be built through Apple will be made through Swift, Apple’s programming language.
As Apple enters the enterprise world, the question one has to ask is if Apple will remain exclusive with SAP, or seek out other possible partners?