Apple, Salesforce Team To Create Biz Mobile Apps

Apple and Salesforce announced Monday (Sept. 24) that they have inked a strategic partnership to create new mobile apps for businesses.

In a press release, the companies announced that Salesforce is redesigning its iOS app to include new features that are exclusive to iOS. The companies will also provide tools and resources to Salesforce developers to build their own native apps via a new Salesforce mobile software developer’s kit (SDK) for iOS and new iOS app development course on its free, web-based learning platform, Trailhead.

“We’re excited to work with Salesforce and that their industry-leading [customer relationship management (CRM)] will embrace native iOS and deliver exclusive new features on iPhone and iPad,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a press release announcing the partnership. “With the powerful combination of iPhone, iPad and iOS — the best hardware and software for business — together with native Salesforce apps and the new Salesforce SDK, we can deliver great customer experiences for businesses around the world.”

According to the companies, the redesigned app will use native iOS features such as Face ID, Siri Shortcuts and 3D Touch, among others. Initially, the apps for businesses will focus on giving customers a better experience on iOS and will work together to deliver iOS apps for industries and small business that will serve their specific needs. They are also working together to develop the first Salesforce mobile SDK that is optimized for Swift, Apple’s programming language.  The companies said the native SDK will enable businesses and developers to build and deploy apps for iPhone and iPad on the Salesforce Lightning Platform, which adds to the hundreds of thousands of iOS apps for business in the App Store.

“With this partnership, we’re bringing together the world’s number one CRM platform with iPhone and iPad, the world’s best devices for business,” said Marc Benioff, chairman and co-CEO at Salesforce. “Together, Salesforce and Apple are defining a new era of mobile innovation with native apps on iOS, and empowering millions of people with access to Trailhead and the skills they need for the jobs of the future.”