Apple makes official its new subscription designed for small and medium-sized businesses: it's called Business Essential, here's what it offers and how much it costs
Apple has announced Business Essentials, a new subscription plan dedicated to small and medium-sized businesses, that is, those with up to 500 employees, and at the same time also the new app named in the same way, which allows employees to install business apps and request Apple support.
Apple Business Essentials, Apple says, "saves small businesses valuable time during the growth process." The plan for the moment is in beta version, but once the "tests" are over, it will be available in a stable, "final" version for all those who want to take advantage of its potential. The service supports small businesses throughout the entire lifecycle of their devices, from configuration to device upgrades and initial employee training, while providing high security, priority support and secure data backup.
Apple Business Essentials, what it offers
Apple's new business subscription provides a comprehensive solution to ease employee onboarding, allowing a small business to remotely control device configuration and management.
For example, Apple Business Essentials' Collections allows IT staff to adjust device and professional application settings for entire departments or individuals. So when an employee logs in with work credentials (including on their personal Apple device), Collections can automatically set up a VPN or Wi-Fi passwords, or even provide the ability to download specific work apps such as Word or Cisco apps.
Enterprise IT managers who choose Apple Business Essentials can remotely set up FireVault encryption of Macs' hard drives or Activation Lock to protect devices that have been lost. In addition, Apple points out, "when employees use a personal device for work, the logging mechanism encryptingly protects work data, and separates it from personal data to ensure that employee data remains private while company data remains secure."
In addition to these capabilities, Apple Business Essentials provides a dedicated iCloud account for work, with company data automatically backed up. And there's also, as anticipated above, the option to add AppleCare+ coverage for Business Essentials, which offers ongoing phone support, including overnight, specific training for IT employees and up to two repairs per year for Apple devices.
Apple Business Essentials, how much it costs
Apple Business Essentials for now dedicated to the U.S. (available from spring 2022) in three plans: for one device you spend $2.99 per month with 50 GB of iCloud included, the plan for up to three devices contains 200 GB and costs $6.99 per month while the same plan with 2 TB costs $12.99 per month. AppleCare+ is optional.