Apple is aiming to grow its enterprise app portfolio after partnering with SAP.
The two companies are planning to build an iOS version of SAP’s HANA Cloud Platform SDK, which will allow businesses, designers and developers to build apps that use SAP’s data processing software with Apple features such as Touch ID, Location Services and Notifications.
As well as the iOS SDK, Apple and SAP will provide a training academy for those wanting to build enterprise apps. SAP already has a 2.5 million strong developer community. Both the SDK and academy will launch by the end of this year.
SAP will also develop its own native iOS apps for business operations using Apple’s Swift programming language.
Apple said these apps will help workers to access critical enterprise data, processes and user experience from their iPhone or iPad. An example it gave was a field maintenance worker being able to order parts or schedule servicing.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said: “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. As the leader in enterprise software and with 76 percent 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.
“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.”
In 2014, Apple partnered with IBM to launch a range of cloud-based enterprise apps.