PCMag@Work (Small Business): Apple Officially Announces SMB Service Plan
The $499 Joint Venture service plan covers five users and includes specialized service, user training, loaner computers and other features.
“In the wake of the iPad mania, Apple pirouetted yesterday and unveiled a new program targeting small businesses. Dubbed Joint Venture, the program aligns with our report: the SMB service will offer specialized support, personal training, loaner Macs, and other business-specific services at a price point comparable to Apple’s existing ProCare plan.
Compared to the $99 ProCare plan, Joint Venture’s $499 price tag looks a bit steep–until you read the fine print. Unlike the single-client ProCare plan, Joint Venture supports five systems with the option to add additional system for $99 a year. Each eligible system can include a Mac, two Cinema Displays, one iPhone, one iPod, one iPad, and Apple peripherals (such as a mouse, keyboard, trackpad, and a storage device). With a cap of 100 systems per account, the plan scales to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.”