Distributing free ios apps privately to multiple customers (b2b?)

Question

I have been researching a lot about this issue, but I only get more and more confused...

Basically, what I need to do is to distribute a free ios app, but I don't want it to be available to everyone, but just to some of my customers (5 or 6 companies). I have been looking into the B2B option, but I have some questions:

• The purchasing company must enroll in the Volume Purchase Program... will this be free for them?

• Can I distribute the same app to more than one company?

• How exactly can I perfom the distribution? Can I just publish my .ipa through one of my servers? Or do I need to go with a MDM? I have read that it is actually the purchasing company who has to get and manage the MDM?

• According to Apple : "Even though custom B2B apps can be free, you must have a Paid Applications contract for your app to be visible on the Custom B2B App Store."... what does that mean?

• Maybe there is another better option for me than the B2B program?

Sorry for asking so many questions, and many thanks in advance!!

María.

Answer 1

When distributing an iOS app b2b:

• any buyer must be enrolled in the Volume Purchase Program (this is free).

• you must specifically allow all buyers (there can be more than one) to purchase by specifying their Apple ID in iTunes connect.

• the buyer pays whatever price you specify for the app on a per install basis and Apple takes their 30% cut. This can specify a price of zero.

• distribution is entirely Apple-hosted but the app is not visible in the public app store.

• The Paid Applications Contract is an agreement between you and Apple that you must enter into before using B2B distribution. Steps to make the agreement are here - http://www.pressmatrix.de/product-blog/apple-developer-itunes-connect-guide/

Note that b2b apps MUST go through Apple review process.

The only other option I see is to require your clients to enroll in the iOS Developer Enterprise program (cost of $300 per year) and then allow you to sign the app with their certificates for distribution to their employees using "over the air" installation, config utils, or an MDM.