Apple didn’t give too much attention to the new enterprise features of iOS9 at its WorldWide Developer Conference last week, which comes as a mild surprise given its recent push into the workplace that includes a highly publicized partnership with IBM.

That’s not because apple isn’t focusing on the enterprise – it is – but more likely due to the fact it simply wouldn’t be possible to fit everything into a two-and-a-half hour keynote.

Nevertheless, Apple is indeed upping its enterprise game, particularly when it comes to device security and management, application management and distribution features. Here’s a run down of the iOS 9 enterprise features we know about so far.

Application management

Perhaps the biggest major change in iOS 9 is that users will no longer need an Apple ID to be able to install apps, a requirement that was known to cause problems for student users and enterprises alike. Instead, iOS 9 gives EMM providers full control of app distribution, installations and updates, which means users only have to login with their EMM credentials to download the apps they need.

In another update, it’s also possible to turn pre-installed apps into managed apps, something that was previously impossible without deleting and re-installing an app. Apple says the update means IT can transition pre-installed apps into managed apps suitable for the enterprise seamlessly. The new iOS 9 also adds improved application trust and security features. With the new update, EMM applications will be implicitly trusted, which means users will no longer be prompted with a message asking them if they trust the app developer – something enterprises report often causes confusion with users.

Another new feature allows IT teams to block side-loading of apps installed from outside the Apple store of the enterprise App Catalog. Side-loading can still be allowed, but iOS 9 prompts users with an additional warning and adds an extra step to enable such apps. App installations are blocked by default so users must signal they explicitly trust that app before it can be installed.

Finally, Apple is adding better EMM support features for B2B apps. Before, EMM B2B app providers weren’t allowed to collect metadata, but the new APIs will allow them to do so at last.

Device management

Apple is updating its device enrollment functions with a new Mobile Device Management (MDM) server that keeps Setup Assistant active until new devices are fully configured and ready to be deployed. This move ensures polices are kept in place until a device is first used.

In addition, iOS 9 devices can now be enrolled by connecting them via USB cable to Apple Configurator, without the need to configure each device using its own display. Admins will also be able to remove the setup assistant panes for Apple Pay, Touch ID, Zoom and the new Android Migration option.

Security

The most obvious security upgrade concerns Apple’s move away from four digit passcodes to six digit passwords for iPhones and iPads equipped with a Touch ID sensor. Users can still choose a more complex passcode, because it’s only the Simple Passcode that’s changed.

App distribution

Apple is also making things easier as far as app distribution goes. The biggest change is that licenses for its Volume Purchase Program (VPP) can now be assigned to devices instead of individual users. As well, Apple is using the VPP program to broaden app purchases, so, if you’re based in one country for example, but have employees located in other parts of the world, apps can be purchased in your home region before being distributed to workers in other countries via the VPP.

Another new feature lets companies convert employee-installed apps into managed apps, before applying appropriate policies to them for security and governance purposes. This can be done in the background with no loss of user data.

Last but not least, Apple is adding a range of new device restriction options. For example, AirDrop, which is Apple’s tool for wirelessly transferring data between devices, can now be treated as an unmanaged destination. There are also new restriction options for automatic app downloads, Apple News, iCloud Photo libraries, keyboard shortcuts, screen recording, Apple Watch pairing and user modifications to things like the device name, passcode and wallpaper.

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