Apple, SAP to develop iPhone, iPad apps for businesses

Frankfurt

APPLE Inc and SAP SE are joining up to deliver software for iPhones and iPads, opening a new avenue for Apple to reach businesses at a time when sales of its mobile devices have tapered.

SAP will develop apps specifically designed for Apple's iOS operating system for doctors and industrial field technicians. The two companies will release a software development kit by year- end to let SAP customers and consultants write native apps for Apple devices that take advantage of features such as location and touch sign-in. The deal has the potential to attract millions of software developers and sell millions of devices, Apple CEO Tim Cook and SAP CEO Bill McDermott said in an interview.