Apple Launches Subscription Service for Small Businesses

Apple has launched a new subscription service for small businesses called Apple Business Essentials. Integrating device management, iCloud storage and Apple support, the service is specially geared towards small businesses with up to 500 employees.

Rolling out today in beta, the service aids in the process of employee onboarding and device management, such as the setup of a work device or making necessary upgrades.

The Collections component of the service allows IT personnel to configure settings and apps for individual employees or groups of employees. For instance, Collections can push VPN settings or Wi-Fi passwords automatically when employees sign into a device with their work credentials.

With the AppleCare+ add-on, Apple offers 24/7 phone support to businesses and their employees, as well as IT training, device repairs and more.

“Small businesses are at the core of our economy, and we’re proud that Apple products play a role in helping these companies grow,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Enterprise and Education Marketing.

“Apple Business Essentials is designed to help streamline every step of employee device management within a small business — from setup, onboarding, and upgrading, to accessing fast service and prioritized support, all while keeping data backed up and secure, so companies can focus on running their business,” she continued.

Three different plan options for Apple Business Essentials will be available soon, starting at $2.99 USD per month. Each plan can support up to three devices.

The company has also unveiled a new Apple Business Essentials app to provide users with convenient access to the service.

In other tech news, YouTube will remove its public dislike counts.