Apple's iPhone devices have proven popular with businesses, and the firm has made a handful of core updates to the mobile operating system to make it even more attractive for corporations to deploy.
Better IT admin control
Administrators can control which apps and accounts are used to open enterprise data on handsets. Apps can also be configured so they automatically connect to a VPN when used.
Apple has also made it possible to wirelessly set up managed apps, install custom fonts, configure accessibility options along with AirPrint printers and whitelist AirPlay destinations.
App licensing
Apple's App Store Volume Purchase Programme now allows employees to enrol with their personal Apple IDs without needing to provide it to their employer. Apps can be placed in a user's purchase history for self-service download or alternatively can be installed automatically via MDM software.
Enterprise single sign on
iOS 7 supports Enterprise single sign on (SSO). Each new app configured with SSO verifies user permissions for enterprise resources, and logs users in automatically.
Third-party app data protection
Apple uses individuals' on-device passwords combined with an encryption key to help protect data. All third-party apps now have data protection enabled by default.
Improved Mail
On the user-end front, it's now possible to add and re-organise email into smart mailboxes, view PDF annotations. Search has been improved and Microsoft Exchange 2010 users can sync notes with Outlook on their Mac or PC.
Faster downloads
iOS 7 supports Caching Server 2. Apple claims caching purchased content and software updates on a local Mac running OS X Mavericks Server speeds up the download time of apps and content through iTunes. It also means content is pushed out over the corporate network.
