March 10, 2008 - Mobile healthcare applications developer Epocrates Inc. is working directly with Apple to create an application for the iPhone to enable healthcare professionals to have immediate access to vital clinical information wherever they need it, regardless of Internet connectivity.
The software will include a drug-drug interaction checker, accurate drug dosing information, alternative medication monographs and interactions, patient education handouts, and pill pictures and identifiers.
When a connection is established, the device will be automatically populated with updated drug and safety information and important medical news.
Apple previewed its iPhone 2.0 software last week, which is scheduled for release in June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers, including Epocrates.
The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push e-mail, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks. The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of application programming interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac. Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.
With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. Apple says the iPhone SDK will allow developers to create applications that leverage the iPhone’s Multi-Touch user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology.
Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect to Microsoft exchange servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push e-mail, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto- discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of WiFi networks.
The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, and e-mail server settings. Once the configuration is defined it can be delivered via Web link or e-mail to the user.
In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.
The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the U.S. and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program.
For more information: www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise
April 22, 2024 
