Apple, IBM Partnership Yields First Results: 10 Mobile Apps

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Apple, IBM Partnership Yields First Results: 10 Mobile Apps

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday December 10, 2014 @05:36PM from the big-blue-apple dept.

itwbennett writes IBM and Apple have unveiled the first results of the enterprise IT partnership they announced in July: 10 mobile applications aimed at businesses in six industries as well as government users. One of the apps, for example, allows a flight crew to personalize a passenger's in-flight experience. An app targeted at the banking industry allows a financial advisor to remotely access and manage a client's portfolio. And police officers can use iPhones to view video feeds from crime scenes with an app for law enforcement.

53 comments

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Android Studio malware? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-10 17:48 · Score: -1, Offtopic

So I go to google to see this android studio 1.0 and my DL does not match the website DL sha-1 nor the filesize. Google says android-studio-bundle-135.1629389.exe (Recommended) 852499624 bytes 0c8a3b45385a698b43a47757fdd6a83ca837abd2 and I get 852,385,152 wrongsize_android-studio-bundle-135.1629389.exe 852,385,152 stillwrongsize_android-studio-bundle-135.1629389.exe 852,385,152 android-studio-bundle-135.1629389.exe 2f073a0bab9d644add78c45cc4e289b3e72bd647 Different browsers. Google signed this but did not sign the smaller (92 MB!) web installer for windows, so that's no good, either. C'mon!
1. Re:Android Studio malware? by dnebin · 2014-12-10 18:23 · Score: 0
  
  wtf?
Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-10 17:58 · Score: -1

Keep dreaming IBM.
1. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by Noah+Haders · 2014-12-10 19:30 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  i agree you should focus on safety and security first so you choose to add androids. very sensible dude. I bet you like to put out unpatched XP boxes.
2. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by gnasher719 · 2014-12-10 20:41 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  I'd say that if you are a sysadmin who somehow doesn't allow iPhones on any networks under your control, then within a week you will either have your mind changed or let go.
3. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by Paradise+Pete · 2014-12-10 23:50 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I'd say that if you are a sysadmin who somehow doesn't allow iPhones on any networks under your control, then within a week you will either have your mind changed or let go.
  I just checked. His parents said he could stay.
4. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by dissy · 2014-12-11 02:00 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network
  Strange, seeing as iPhone is one of the most manageable devices out there, second only to Blackberry and not by a very wide margin even then.
  Not only can you push a wifi policy automatically for any BYOD iPhones that join your wifi to control network related policies, but managed (MDM) iPhones give you as much control over them as windows group policy does over windows desktops.
  In fact the only one feature iPhone doesn't measure up on compared to Blackberry is app pushing over cellular. Since the discussion seems to be more about "letting them on the network" assuming wifi access isn't unreasonable, and removes that one limitation completely.
  Has any progress what so ever been made with enterprise managing of android without any 3rd party solutions? As of the last android OS there was basically nothing to speak of, so I can't see them catching up these last 8ish years in just a few months.
  Letting android on the network is about as secure as letting non-domain home windows systems on, so it is quite amusing you feel this is a better option!
5. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by jbolden · 2014-12-11 02:34 · Score: 2
  
  I agree with what you wrote above. And I say this as a long term Apple fan, but Samsung Knox + good MDM IMHO is probably ahead of Apple + good MDM in terms of security. So while it is true you need 3rd party tools you can at this point secure an Android (Samsung only though) much better than you can an Apple device.
6. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by DocSavage64109 · 2014-12-11 04:43 · Score: 1
  
  Do you happen to have any links to some free/low cost MDM ipad/phone solutions? When I last looked everything was rather expensive for a non-profit on a budget.
7. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-11 04:57 · Score: 0
  
  Have you seen Centrify's cloud service that supports MDM with iPhone and Samsung KNOX? Believe it's free to create a cloud tenant and enroll a device. http://www.centrify.com/products/saas-edition.asp
8. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by jbolden · 2014-12-11 05:39 · Score: 1
  
  How many users are you talking?
9. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by DocSavage64109 · 2014-12-11 07:11 · Score: 1
  
  I would say at least 40 devices.
10. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-11 09:22 · Score: 0
  
  Knox is a complete joke and not good and by far not ahead of Apple.
  http://androidcommunity.com/samsung-knox-security-solution-might-not-be-that-secure-after-all-20131223/
  http://9to5google.com/2013/12/24/samsungs-knox-smartphone-security-system-could-be-breached-by-a-childrens-game-security-researchers/
  http://mobilesecurityares.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/why-samsung-knox-isnt-really-fort-knox.html?m=1
11. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by dissy · 2014-12-11 09:23 · Score: 2
  
  I've been using Meraki MDM for a bit over a year now for managing my own devices, and have been quite pleased so far.
  Sadly about a year back Cisco acquired them so there have been some changes in pricing and scope, but the free standard version is still available even if slightly hidden (most 'try now' links go to the enterprise signup page)
  It now manages Cisco APs, Cisco switches, MDM, and a bit more random stuff.
  Their main page is:
  https://meraki.cisco.com/
  MDM specific info is at:
  https://meraki.cisco.com/solut...
  Standard version signup is at:
  https://meraki.cisco.com/form/...
  Note that they now offer two versions, standard and enterprise. Feature wise they are pretty identical except for technical support.
  Standard is free for up to 50 devices, then device 51 and after will run you $1/device/month.
  I've no idea the pricing details on enterprise, other than the 30 day trial involves them sending you an access point that works with it. I assume even device #1 has a monthly cost.
  -
  If you run Spiceworks, their latest major-version provides basic access to MDM for free through IBMs MaaS360.
  They have a free version that adamantly doesn't have near enough features, and a paid version that is $3/device/month.
  The paid version has all the features of IBMs branded version, but is a little cheaper per device.
  http://www.spiceworks.com/free...
  -
  If you want free and DIY, check out the "iPhone Configuration Utility" (mac/win versions available from apple) that let you create your own policy files - but you need to get them onto each iPhone "manually".
  By manual this can be as easy as an email attachment or wifi-portal webpage download or something.
  For devices you purchase and allocate to staff this is usually fine, but BYOD can be a problem without incentives for the user to install the profile themselves.
  I used this method at work since I only had two profiles available then.
  To get on the wifi network you needed to install our wifi profile, which grants access to the network and then enforces the network policy.
  They didn't HAVE to install this policy, but then no wifi access at all.
  I have a second profile to setup Cisco VPN client settings for users with VPN access, but my profile is more akin to a .PCF config (shared secret and IP stuff users don't need to worry about) and nothing else, so it just saves some typing for them. Not much arm twisting needed here.
  http://theiphonewiki.com/wiki/...
  (Download links at the bottom of this wiki, or just use Google)
  -
  Sadly all other MDM platforms I evaluated over a year ago either no longer exist or in the 'rather expensive' category.
  The list I used at the time for the higher end providers was
  http://www.enterpriseios.com/w...
  I found 2-3 good gems in that list at the time (Meraki and MaaS360/Spiceworks being the best priced then)
  Might still be worth a look for you.
12. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by DocSavage64109 · 2014-12-11 09:53 · Score: 1
  
  Thank you very much for this extensive write-up!
13. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by jbolden · 2014-12-11 10:54 · Score: 1
  
  Well at that number. I'd think you could be at something like $5/user/mo pretty easily and if you hunt more like $3/user/mo. What kinds of bids are you seeing?
14. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by jbolden · 2014-12-11 10:58 · Score: 1
  
  2013 articles are about a Knox1. They are also bunk. Knox provides the critical hardware components. The MDM provides the rest. Knox isn't meant to be a complete solution. The vulnerabilities are much further up the stack.
15. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by DocSavage64109 · 2014-12-11 11:02 · Score: 1
  
  we are a very poor non-profit, so we go the free route where ever possible.
16. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by jbolden · 2014-12-11 15:51 · Score: 1
  
  Well if you want free not cheap, then why care about cheap? Anyway Google free MDMs there are some out there.
  Though as an aside if you are broke its hard to see what you are worried about losing in the case of a data breach.
17. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-11 16:48 · Score: 0
  
  ...or be out of a job.
18. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by tehcyder · 2014-12-11 23:03 · Score: 1
  
  Though as an aside if you are broke its hard to see what you are worried about losing in the case of a data breach.
  He said "very poor" not "broke". And you are a lot more vulnerable when you are metaphorically on the breadline, as relatively minor extra cost could tip you over the edge.
  
  --
  To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
19. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by jbolden · 2014-12-12 02:30 · Score: 1
  
  Understood. But its worth figuring out what the MDM is for. What are they guarding against? If there aren't assets what are they worried about being lost on mobiles? The additional cost of managing security is not low.
20. Re:Like hell I'd allow an iPhone on my network by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-12 09:48 · Score: 0
  
  May want to examine why someones iPhone or Android is threat to your systems...fix your systems else exit 1.
app management app by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-10 18:06 · Score: 0

How about an app to manage all the new apps?
1. Re:app management app by jbolden · 2014-12-11 02:39 · Score: 1
  
  IBM bought a whole company for that: http://www.maas360.com/
  They also resell arguably the most professional MDM management suite out there: http://www.voxmobile.com/
content marketing agency london by anupamarao · 2014-12-10 18:09 · Score: -1, Offtopic

marketingfundamentals.com is london based content writing firm that write best possible content for all business. marketing agency london digital marketing consultant
1. Re:content marketing agency london by dnebin · 2014-12-10 18:25 · Score: 1, Offtopic
  
  wtf is going on in slashdot tonight?
2 huge firms by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-10 18:14 · Score: 0

and that's all they've got?
software to sell more garbage in the first place?
at least google tried to change the form factor...
Restaurant Software by anupamarao · 2014-12-10 18:19 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Lucidpos.com is India based company. It provides all branded restaurant software for high business growth. restaurant management software restaurant software restaurant management system
1. Re:Restaurant Software by dnebin · 2014-12-10 18:28 · Score: 0
  
  wtf? where is all of this shit coming from?
2. Re: Restaurant Software by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-11 01:50 · Score: 0
  
  You're the only one who sees those messages. If at some point they say that you should hurt yourself or someone else, please do everybody a favor and start a YouTube channel.
What's next? by seoras · 2014-12-10 18:45 · Score: 1

Grindr for Execs?
How much do these apps cost? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-10 18:47 · Score: 0

How much will these apps cost? Are they free? Are they free except you have to pay $$$ for the required analytics?
1. Re:How much do these apps cost? by gnasher719 · 2014-12-10 20:45 · Score: 2
  
  How much will these apps cost? Are they free? Are they free except you have to pay $$$ for the required analytics?
  Who knows? They are meant for businesses, and they are made by IBM, and IBM is in it for the money. So significant amounts of money will change hands from customers to IBM, one way or another.
  
  These are not web apps, these are proper apps. You know the apps that you need a PC for and not a toy tablet. Except they run on an iPad. You buy them and give them to your employees who use them for work. Which you can't do on a toy tablet. Except you can :-)
You have been hacked by xjadiff · 2014-12-10 19:17 · Score: 1

... by the Syrian Electronic Army's javascript alert.
Coming soon... by OneSmartFellow · 2014-12-10 20:52 · Score: 1

...iLotusNotes......

Run Away !
1. Re:Coming soon... by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-10 22:51 · Score: 0
  
  http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/notetrav
10 mobile apps is news? by tomhath · 2014-12-11 00:58 · Score: 1

Who cares? Is Dice taking slashvertisement money from IBM now?
1. Re:10 mobile apps is news? by TigerPlish · 2014-12-11 01:06 · Score: 1
  
  Who cares? Is Dice taking slashvertisement money from IBM now?
  Whores will gladly accept money from anyone -- especially staid old companies looking for one last fling before The Inevitable comes and claims them.
  
  --
  The "Civilized World" jumped the shark ca. 1973.
2. Re:10 mobile apps is news? by jbolden · 2014-12-11 02:36 · Score: 1
  
  Who cares? This is a computer news site. Since when is IBM's activities not legitimate news?
3. Re:10 mobile apps is news? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-11 05:26 · Score: 0
  
  Since when is IBM's activities not legitimate news?
  It has been several years now. Don't be surprised if they go the way of Digital Equipment and Sun.
4. Re:10 mobile apps is news? by jbolden · 2014-12-11 05:38 · Score: 1
  
  They might, but DEC and SUN were totally appropriate for /. years ago too (well actually DEC was bought before /. existed, but regardless they would have been appropriate and HP now is). IBM did just short of $100b in revenues last year. So in the meanwhile before they die, they are news.
WTF by richieb · 2014-12-11 02:16 · Score: 1

What exactly does this mean "...allows a flight crew to personalize a passenger's in-flight experience. "???

--
...richie - It is a good day to code.
1. Re:WTF by bws111 · 2014-12-11 02:43 · Score: 2
  
  According to the IBM site, it means that the flight crew can rebook flights for passengers when they will be missing connections, etc.
2. Re:WTF by technomom · 2014-12-11 03:15 · Score: 1
  
  ....which was pretty doable already if you had wifi on an airplane and a connection to orbitz.
3. Re:WTF by bws111 · 2014-12-11 03:25 · Score: 1
  
  That is you doing the rebooking. This is the flight crew rebooking for you. They are not the same. And having gone through both ways (my rebooking vs airline rebooking) I much prefer to have the airline do it. However, you used to have to wait til you were on the ground for the airline to rebook.
4. Re:WTF by david.emery · 2014-12-11 04:03 · Score: 1
  
  Mod parent up insightful. And from extensive experience booking travel, I can assure you the tools the airlines use are better (more responsive, better data) than what they give us access to.
Linked article is kind of light on details by enjar · 2014-12-11 03:04 · Score: 1

For instance:
- Are these apps installed via a custom store, or distributed/managed using a internal company server? I'm assuming they don't exist on the Apple store -- or do they?
- Screen shots of the apps?
- Names of the apps?
As it stands it's pretty much a press release that's not really "news for nerds" ... 10 more apps is a rounding error of a rounding error of apps already in the App Store.
1. Re:Linked article is kind of light on details by jbolden · 2014-12-11 05:43 · Score: 1
  
  The news isn't the apps. The news is that the IBM/Apple partnership has progressed into a 2nd meaningful release. That being said, these apps are probably going to be distributed internally or via. IBM's substores for customers. For example I know they run United Airlines internal application repository.
2. Re:Linked article is kind of light on details by tlhIngan · 2014-12-11 06:16 · Score: 1
  
  For instance:
  - Are these apps installed via a custom store, or distributed/managed using a internal company server? I'm assuming they don't exist on the Apple store -- or do they?
  - Screen shots of the apps?
  - Names of the apps?
  As it stands it's pretty much a press release that's not really "news for nerds" ... 10 more apps is a rounding error of a rounding error of apps already in the App Store.
  Given they're enterprise apps, "custom" app store (actually, Enterprise signing certificate + device provisioning and app-push) would be most likely since that's a way around the App Store.
  I don't think there are names for them or screenshots since they're frameworks at best - every client of those apps will request customizations from IBM prior to deploying.
  While the partnership is IBM+Apple, you have to remember Apple is doing fine by themselves, and IBM is the one looking at the enterprise market. IBM's experience may help shape the MDM side of Apple to be more enterprise-friendly, but for the most part, IBM will be the one doing enterprise support. So Big Blue will be the go-to folks for the apps customized for htem.
  It's just a PR so folks who are in those industries may start inquiring more about it.
  They both get entry into a new market they traditionally haven't been strong at - IBM gets into mobile devices (again - they did have Simon but that was a flop), Apple into enterprise (traditionally weak) and do so with a strong partner in those areas (IBM knows enterprise, Apple knows mobile).
First Principles: CONSUMER by ElitistWhiner · 2014-12-11 06:31 · Score: 1

IBM (old guys) wants the worlds most valuable and most popular consumer product company to crack into BYOD enterprises. SteveJobs built the most valuable company on the planet based upon CONSUMER from Day0 at AAPL. After being kicked out of Apple, SteveJobs turned focused on Enterprise with his NeXT Inc. venture. Ten years later NeXT had changed computing. It popularized O-O with Obj-C providing Soloman Inc. the tool and means to abstract financial instruments for trading bonds. That precluded WallSt. CMO's, Derivitives and electronic trading. NeXT enabled a CERN researcher to invent a better Gopher.app with a simple worldwideweb; www.app. Bill Gates even gave Steve $150 million to keep NeXT in business to avoid anti-trust but I digress. BUT that marked the definitive end to Enterprise for SteveJob's NeXT. SO it was SteveJobs intuitive understanding of everyday consumers that created Apple in the first place and upon his requested return its future success.
Apple's turning focus away from CONSUMER toward ENTERPRISE would mark a leadership milestone. A milestone SteveJobs would prove " Life after Death" by hurling back at Tim Cook rather than rollover in his grave.
That was awfully fast - where did they get devs? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-11 08:45 · Score: 0

IBM is not a fast company. This project happened really fast in just a few months. How did IBM find developers during a developer shortage and get these apps cranked out? I'd like to know more details about how these projects worked. Did they just slap an HTML5 front end on top of existing back-end code? These aren't trivial apps that show pictures of kittens. They're sophisticated. So during an acute developer shortage, IBM staffed up and cranked these apps out in months. Uncharacteristic of IBM to move quickly, and shouldn't it be impossible with a developer shortage?
Do you want your financial adviser accessing your data over a mobile app someone put together in a few months?
meh...remember when Internation Business Machines? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-12-12 06:26 · Score: 0

stop trying to make the companies top brass entertainment gadget of choice into a half baked, semi productivity device, its failing all over schools, according to IBM latest reports of many consecutive quarters without significant profit increase it seems to be willing to get in bed with just about anyone.
maybe the should consider changing the name to IBG ....International business Gimmicks