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"Apple has officially launched its $499 a year Joint Venture support initiative for small businesses under the tagline "Get set up. Get trained. Stay running." Apple's Joint Venture retail support plan offers setup, training and continued support starting at $499 a year for up to five "systems," which are defined not just as Macs, but also iOS devices or Cinema Displays. According to the terms and conditions set by Apple, the service is only available to business customers at the time of purchase of a Mac."

Apple has officially rolled-out their Joint Venture initiative (replacing ProCare). Setting up newly purchased Macs (or iOS devices or cinema displays), getting existing data to the new computer(s), and installing and configuring purchased software are the primary functions. Joint Venture also offers a personalized support web site, training sessions, group workshops, Genius phone support, priority appointments at the Genius Bar, system diagnostics, software updates, and keyboard and monitor cleaning. Another big plus is that loaner computers will be provided if a covered computer needs servicing (over 24 hours needed for repair), and will include iLife, iWork, and, Microsoft Office. One feature surprisingly lacking is on-site support visits. For a small office, this seems to be a pretty good deal, especially when it works out to less than $42 per month.

"Apple is a consumer-focused company first and foremost. They have enterprise sales departments but the bulk of their marketing and support effort go into consumer sales."

Image Credit: www.maconlysource.com

Now that Apple filed paperwork to trademark "Joint Venture" they may be rethinking all of this and heading into the enterprise market. The paperwork they filed described the trademark as including "Maintenance, installation and repair of computer hardware, computer peripherals, computer networks, and consumer electronic devices; information, advisory and consultancy services." Sounds business oriented to me, and also it seems like it is about time they focus on this aspect of the computer market, or at least devote more resources than they have in the past. What are your thoughts? How do you think Apple is going to do in this part of the market?