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Distributing free ios apps privately to multiple clients (b2b?)

I understand a lot of this problem, but I'm more and more confused ...

Basically, I need to make a free ios application, but I don’t want it to be available to everyone, but only to some of my clients (5 or 6 companies). I studied the B2B option, but I have a few questions:

  • The procuring company must register with the volume purchase program ... will it be free for them?

  • Is it possible to distribute the same application to several companies?

  • How exactly can I do the distribution? Can I just publish my .ipa through one of my servers? Or do I need to go with MDM? I read that this is actually a purchasing company that needs to get and manage MDM?

  • According to Apple: "Even if custom B2B applications can be free, you must have a contract with paid applications so that your application is visible in the B2B store’s custom store." What does it mean?

  • Perhaps there is another better option for me than the B2B program?

Sorry to ask so many questions and thank you very much in advance.

Maria.

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2 answers

When distributing an iOS b2b application:

  • any buyer must be registered in the Volume Purchase Program (this is free).

  • You must specifically allow all customers (you can buy more than one) by entering their Apple ID in iTunes.

  • the buyer pays any price you specify for the application for each installation, and Apple takes a 30% discount. This may indicate a price of zero.

  • the distribution is fully hosted by Apple, but the application does not appear in the public app store.

  • A paid application contract is an agreement between you and Apple that you must enter before using the B2B distribution. Agreement steps here - http://www.pressmatrix.de/product-blog/apple-developer-itunes-connect-guide/

Please note that b2b applications MUST go through the Apple Validation process.

The only other option that I see is to require your customers to register for the iOS Developer Enterprise program (cost $ 300 per year), and then allow them to sign the application with their certificates for distribution to their employees using "over the air" installation , config utils or MDM.

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Sounds like you want iOS Developer Enterprise .

This allows you to distribute ad hoc applications, however you can check if this means one organization or several, as I am not sure.

Comparison of programs for iOS developers

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