Amid iPad 2 Hype, Apple Quietly Launches Joint Venture
You may have missed it amid all the iPad 2 news, but Apple has quietly launched the much-rumored Joint Venture for businesses without even issuing so much as a press release. What’s the lowdown on the managed services offered by Apple? Read on …
It works like this: For $499, Apple becomes your new best friend for up to five Macs. Have more than five computers to maintain? Pay $99 more per computer. It’s all about “improving the way your business runs,” according to Apple, and Apple will train your employees to get the most of all your Apple products.
That’s clearly usurping the channel, as we previously suggested.
Officially confirmed are channel-styled services include new system set-ups and conversion of old ones (Mac or PC), software updates, diagnostics, use of a loaner computer during extended services, and keyboard and display cleaning (yes, really.) Apple also advertises that users can get “unprecedented access” to the Genius Bar and, for the first time, actually speak to a Genius on the phone. Users also get their own business web portal for information specific to their Apple hardware and services. Employees can even register support sessions.
Here at The VAR Guy, we love the channel, so we wonder why Apple is being so sneaky about this. But to be fair, the seems like Apple is targeting very small businesses. Still, if Apple thinks there are enough small businesses for this to be successful, why not use the channel? There’s clearly a control issue afoot. Perhaps if Apple is successful with Joint Venture, the company will open it up to new partners to sell services. I’m hopeful that if enterprises or midsize businesses request this same level of support, Apple may ask the channel to fulfill that demand, although I doubt it.
More importantly, how does the channel feel? Sound off in the comments.
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The reality of the Joint Venture program is that, in my opinion, will fail to appeal to the businesses who are a) successful, b) already recognize the value of trusted partnerships (with the channel), and c) have better things to do than to run around taking their computers in to a store whenever there’s a problem.
The bigger issue is that businesses are unique, and in their uniqueness, they work with a lot of software/hardware that Joint Venture would never be able to support. As soon as one of these third-party elements comes into play, well, there’ll be no party.
Most importantly though, this is an opportunity for the channel (Apple Consultants Network members, for instance), to reassess how they build client relationships and to start expanding on their knowledge set.
If not by the new generation, as if it were not painfully obvious, consultants that just install software or help clients pick between an iMac or a MacBook are surely to go the way of the Betamax…
Hi Luis,
I see you’re from MonkeyMac Consulting. Please reach out to me (david [at] ninelivesmediainc.com) if you’d like to chat one on one about Apple’s channel programs and what consultants like yourself are offering.
We’d really appreciate your perspective as we’re constantly trying to figure out Apple’s plans in the business world.
Thanks for reading,
Best,
-Dave