Apple Business Is Coming: Here's What It Means for Small Business Owners
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Apple
Apple announced something this week that did not get as much attention as the AirPods Max 2 or WWDC, but is worth knowing about if you run a small business on Apple devices.
It is called Apple Business, and it launches on April 14. Here is what it actually is…
What is Apple Business?
Apple Business is a free platform that brings together several tools Apple has previously offered separately, including Apple Business Manager, Apple Business Connect, and Apple Business Essentials. Rather than managing these through different systems, everything is now in one place.
It is available in the UK and over 200 countries from April 14, and it is free.
What does it include?
Three main areas:
Device management. If your business runs multiple Apple devices, you can configure them centrally, set up security policies, push apps to specific staff, and get new devices ready to go out of the box without anyone needing to sit at a desk and set them up manually.
Business email and calendar. You can now set up professional email, calendar, and a staff directory using your own domain name, all managed through Apple Business. This is a significant addition and genuinely useful for small businesses that want a professional setup without paying for Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
Brand and location management. If your business has a physical location, you can manage how it appears across Apple Maps, Safari, Spotlight, and Wallet from one place. This includes photos, opening hours, special offers, and even Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Who is it actually for?
Honestly, it is most useful if you run a small business with a team of people on Apple devices, or if you have a physical location that customers might search for on Apple Maps. The device management features are particularly valuable if you are currently setting up staff iPhones or iPads one by one.
If it is just you working solo on your own devices, you probably will not need most of this.
What about existing users?
If you currently use Apple Business Manager, Business Connect, or Business Essentials, your data will automatically migrate to Apple Business when it launches on April 14. Business Essentials customers will also stop being charged their monthly fee from that date, as device management is now included for free.
Want help getting set up?
If you run a small business on Apple devices and want to make sense of what Apple Business means for you, that is exactly the kind of thing I can help with. Just get in touch or book a session here.