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I have to write an application for a friend to use in his business - so it won't be on the App store. How do I go about deploying it and distributing this app?

Would he require a enterprize licence? And where/how would he download it to his device for testing purposes?

TheLearner
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4 Answers4

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I've already asked this question, some interesting answers - see here:

Alternative solutions for in-house iPhone enterprise app distribution

EDIT: I realise there is more to your question than what is answered in mine.

Yes, the client will need to get an enterprise license (Apple recently removed the 500 employee limit). Once he has the license, he will need to add you as a developer under his license. This will allow you to develop and digitially sign the app on your machine.

As for testing, when you enroll in an iOS development program, you can then generate + download the appropriate certificiates to sign an app for hardware testing. You'll need to install what's called a "Provising Profile" onto the testing device, then when you're in xcode, change the deployment type from "iPhoneSimulator" to "Device" - this will then compile + deploy the app in it's current state to the device. You can also install this Provising Profile onto other devices then send them the compiled app (which is installed via iTunes).

There is more to be found out about this by going to the Apple Developer Portal but I thought I'd give a brief overview of what you were asking.

Community
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Luke
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  • Do you have any links which explain how use iTunes to deploy to other devices because I would not have physical access to his device – TheLearner Oct 25 '10 at 15:36
  • http://www.raywenderlich.com/1669/how-to-host-a-beta-test-for-your-ios-app - obviously some points will differ in your case but it'll allow you see how to do it. – Luke Oct 25 '10 at 15:41
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An enterprise license you need something like 9000 employees.

The only other way to do it would be to add all their devices to your provisioning portal and supply them with ad-hoc releases which they can drag and drop into itunes to add to their devices.

Thomas Clayson
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  • He lives on another continent so I won't have direct access to his device - could I still do this? – TheLearner Oct 25 '10 at 15:19
  • Yes... you need the UDID - (in iTunes when you connect the device double click on the device serial number, the UDID should show up. Its a 40 char alphanumeric key) - you can then add the device to your provisioning portal and if you add him as an ad-hoc tester and send him the certificate and a zipped build (if he's using windows you need to make an ipa file - search and you will find) he will be able to run it as a normal app – Thomas Clayson Oct 25 '10 at 15:46
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    The requirement for an enterprise license used to be listed as 500 employees and a D&B rating. But a few weeks ago, Apple removed even that requirement. The currently listed requirement is only the Dunn & Bradstreet rating. – hotpaw2 Oct 25 '10 at 17:12
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If your friend's business requires deploying to less than 50 to 100 total devices (the 50 includes 100% replacements/upgrades, the 100 includes zero), then they can apply for a regular iOS Developer Company enrollment (not Enterprise), and use Ad Hoc deployment, which does not require an store (just email/website plus iTunes).

Enterprise requires a D&B rating, usually something that only larger companies have.

hotpaw2
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There is another solution: an own app store:

http://rhomobile.com/products/rhogallery/

unfortunately only in combination with RhoHub.

Or: http://www.appcentral.com/

More info: http://www.apple.com/iphone/business/integration/mdm/ http://www.cio.com/article/638175/Emerging_Tech_Alternatives_to_Apple_App_Store_For_Enterprises?page=2&taxonomyId=3002

Christian Loncle
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