Apple launches a new program for businesses named Joint Venture

A new program for businesses was launched this week by Apple. Dubbed Joint Venture the program offers personal training, specialized support, loaner Macs, and other premium services.

The program resembles Apple's One to One service with the only difference that it is aimed at business needs. Joint Venture is available when purchasing a new Mac; packages start at supporting five systems for $499 per year. For that price, Apple Business Team personnel will help businesses get their Macs, iPads, and iPhones set up, including transferring data from PCs and installing any additional software purchased from either Apple's retail or online stores.

Under the terms of the program five systems may include a Mac, up to two Cinema Displays, one iPhone, one iPod, one iPad, and Apple-branded peripherals like a mouse, keyboard, trackpad, and a storage device. For an additional prorated fee businesses can add more systems to a Joint Venture account.

The maximum number of systems Apple supports on a single account is 100, and you can add previously purchased systems within 14 days of signing up for Joint Venture.

Apart from services for purchased systems businesses can also order up to three two-hour sessions of training their employees at an Apple Store. Topics covered during the sessions may include using the iPhone and iPad for business and how to create more engaging presentations with Keynote.

Monthly workshops are available throughout the year to cover the basics of getting started with Apple's devices, as well as to help IT departments support Apple products in business environments.