iPhone Enterprise Beta Program launched

Apple today launched its iPhone Enterprise Beta Program, a new mini-site dedicated to bringing the iPhone to large corporate environments. The program offers "a unique opportunity for IT departments to try iPhone 2.0 software before general release," according to Apple. "If your company is selected to participate, you'll test new iPhone enterprise features within your corporate environment, then provide Apple with valuable feedback." Apple touts the latest capabilities of its iPhone which surfaced today during a town-hall meeting centered around the iPhone's software roadmap.

Forthcoming iPhone support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and industry-standard corporate security standards are listed among the slew of enterprise features offered with iPhone 2.0. The update features Push email, contacts, and calendar support with a global address list. iPhone 2.0 also offers certificates and identities, WPA2/802.1x support, enforced security policies, more VPN protocols, device configuration, and 'remote wipe' functionality to delete data on lost or stolen iPhones.



The Cupertino-based company details new Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support for compatibility with existing corporate mobile email systems, and boasts iPhone 2.0's enterprise-grade networking support with Cisco IPsec VPN for IP-based encryption that facilitates the transmission of sensitive company information.

Apple is showing off its new iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), which allows developers to create native iPhone applications customized to enterprise needs, and is touting corporate rate plans from AT&T.