Correct distribution option for simple cross-company app?

Hello,


so the general idea of the app is to track multiple mobile devices via GPS and show them on an other "admin" device on a map. The app should start as a prototype, but it is possible that the app will later be used in a company. Since I never set up the Apple account for a private company app, I wanted to ask for help/suggetions/experiences to set up the app/account correctly. So which kind of distribution option should be used?


My idea is to use the enterprise account, since, as far as I know, the app won't be reviewed by Apple, which is probably needed since the tracking apps should really just simply track the GPS locations and send them to a server (eventually/probably also including some kind of identification/login process). So I guess this functionality would not be enough to pass a review, right?


The problem with this approach is, that the tracked devices are from external companies/workers and as far as I know the enterprise distribution can only be used within one company.


Additional info: The app will be used by around 80 devices in the beginning, but could increase at some later point. As far as I know, the company does not have a MDM yet.


Besides the main question above, I wanted to ask if someone maybe already implemented something similar and maybe knows some important points which should be considered? Is a MDM needed? (If yes, what are the approximately costs?) Are there any legal points which have to be considered for such an tracking functionality?


Thanks in advance for any help!

Replies

Custom Apps is the recommended path forward for the overwhelming majority of our enterprise customers at this point, and it is built to support exactly what you are talking about. You can leverage a standard developer account, to do private distribution to other companies as well as internal distribution to your own company. Please have a look at the documentation here and familiarize yourself with Custom Apps: https://developer.apple.com/business/custom-apps/

You may also want to take a look at our WWDC session from last year that outlines this shift in trajectory, and details the distribution options you have available for your apps: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2019/304/