iPhone app for business

[Diabolus]

I want to create a simple iPhone app that calls a website, but it can only be for my employees.

Is it possible to do this? I assume we would create some kind of link internally for them to access and download the app?

i dont want non-employees accessing the app.

[the86d]

You could authenticate against a domain and this way the app couldn't be used by non-employees. On an Android you could just distribute the .apk to the employees in question, and give them some type of unique identifier they would have to plug in that verifies before opening a solid connection, but I don't think that you can you do this with Apple products?

[armygunsmith]

All the iPhones would have to be jailbroken then have the app sideloaded. Otherwise the app would have to go through Apple's approval process then posted to the app store. Once on the app store, everyone would have access to the app. I'm sure someone with more experience at submitting apps to Apple well chime in.

[Diabolus]

All the iPhones would have to be jailbroken then have the app sideloaded. Otherwise the app would have to go through Apple's approval process then posted to the app store. Once on the app store, everyone would have access to the app. I'm sure someone with more experience at submitting apps to Apple well chime in.

That's really unfortunate! I was hoping to have some kind of link users could be emailed to install on their iPhone without it being broadcast on app store.

[Michael735]

Actually Apple has two developer programs. Armygunsmith is right about the first program, but they also have what is called their "enterprise" program, made specifically for in house development. In other words, it is meant for your employees only, and doesn't go through the approval process nor is it visible on the app store. Sounds like what you need. Good luck.

[Diabolus]

Actually Apple has two developer programs. Armygunsmith is right about the first program, but they also have what is called their "enterprise" program, made specifically for in house development. In other words, it is meant for your employees only, and doesn't go through the approval process nor is it visible on the app store. Sounds like what you need. Good luck.

The "enterprise" solution is exactly what I need, thanks for the info - I'll research it.

[the86d]

Just out of curiosity, how would say... sales reps be verified? By authorized phone numbers given to the Enterprise side of Apple support of this solution?

[Deadbolt]

We use an app called " AppDataRoom"

Its not perfect but it is essentially a feeder repository for sales staff. Admin maintains the document repository and sales staff are "fed" update automagically

works well enough. If you're smart you can get your developers to hook up a webservice to do this in place of an admin right from your CMS

ymmv and i am in no way shape or form associated with AppDataroom other than I wrote a cms connector internally for it(glorified macro mostly - CMS business user runs a process that creates files then triggers the loader macro since there is no native connector )

[Tr3v]

Does it HAVE to be an app? Maybe just make a website that only allows specifc users (your employees) to access it and then they can just bookmark it on their iphones. Not sure if that would satisfy your company's needs but it might be an alternative and save you some $$$.

[Diabolus]

Does it HAVE to be an app? Maybe just make a website that only allows specifc users (your employees) to access it and then they can just bookmark it on their iphones. Not sure if that would satisfy your company's needs but it might be an alternative and save you some $$$.

Good idea, but even adding a bookmark might be too complicated for many of the users.

Highly intelligent people, just not with technology.

[TacFan]

Good idea, but even adding a bookmark might be too complicated for many of the users.

Highly intelligent people, just not with technology.

The bookmark would be an icon on the screen that would look like an app

[armygunsmith]

The bookmark would be an icon on the screen that would look like an app

This is a pretty good idea. The webapp idea is pretty handy. The best part is that any user accessing the site will always be using the "latest version". Counting on users to update their application on the phone could cause some issues, especially if previous app versions stop working after server side updates.