Now that Apple requires an Apple ID to purchase OS X 10.7 Lion as well as apps for iOS devices, there’s really no getting away from the process. For business owners with staff members this will get confusing as employees purchase productivity apps and install them on personal devices.
Here’s a procedure that will keep apps with the business, organized and licensed properly.
1. Create an Apple ID for each employee based on their email address (as needed). These Apple IDs are associated with the person’s position on staff, but “owned” by the business.
2. Purchase from the Apple Volume Purchasing Program (VPP). VPP provides volume discounts and distributes download codes. As an alternative, purchase from the App Store (iOS) from the business owner’s account and “gift” to the staff accounts. The Mac App Store doesn’t allow gifting yet, so you would need to purchase iTunes gift cards and apply them to the accounts.
If/when the staff member leaves the organization, that AppleID moves to the replacement staff member, along with the apps, the iCloud data, and more. The AppleID can be changed to reflect the email address of the new staff member. (Apple IDs using the domains me.com and mac.com cannot be changed.)
This solution keeps business software licenses with the organization. The employee is free to have his or her separate ID for personal purchases to use at home or work, depending on office policy.
