How to restrict application distribution to a group of users only via Apple AppStore?

Question

I'm a first time iPhone application developer and I'm developing application for my client who wish to distribute this application to a group of people related to his business only, and as FREE application only. This is such an application which is not meant for general users so we definitely don't want this application is publicly listed in Apple AppStore, rather we want to distribute application to group of people privately. Just like sending them a link to download application via email or something. They click on it and application get downloaded. But in Apple I read that two programs are available like Standard Program and Enterprise Program. The standard one will list application publicly which we do not want, and enterprise programs looks compelling for enterprise users connected to MS Exchange server which we do not posses and not even wish to setup because its not needed.

Can any one help me answer following? 1. If we go with Standard program, how can we restrict application to be visible via some AppStore link ONLY and we will send that link to our users via email. 2. If we go with Enterprise Program, can we do a simple setup over our Apache+PHP+Linux environment i.e. without involving MS Exchange server.

Thanks, Sameer.

Answer 1

One way around this is to submit your application to the App Store, but put it's availability date in the future.

Then, you can create promo codes and send them to the people you'd like to be able to download your application, but it won't show up in the store.

If you do it this way, you don't need to know anybody's UDID, but you're limited to 50 people per version of your application.