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With the consumer market already saturated with IPods, IPads and Macbooks of all shapes and colors, it seems that Apple (News - Alert) is turning its attention to the business realm. The company is said to be increasing focus on small and midsize business ventures, a market which was once entirely dominated by PC.

 Apple will be adding sales support to help its business clients and will also be adding store sections designed to directly address SMB owners. These departments will be called “Briefing Centers”  and will focus on promoting and maintaining small and medium business partnerships with Apple. According to Gary Allen of the IfoAppleStore blog, the company filed a trademark application on the concept earlier this year.

According to Allen’s blog “Last May Apple posted the new position of Business Leader, who supervises Business Managers at several stores to, “forge new relationships with local businesses, manage accounts, build loyalty, and help elevate the Apple brand within the professional community. Apple also posted the new position of Solution Engineer, who will provide training, deliver sales presentations and create proposals for business-related customers. The engineers will also, “turn enthusiastic personal users of Apple into passionate business users of the brand.”

Apple stores have done remarkably well since being introduced in 2001. Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said earlier this year that the company “hosted a record 60.5 million visitors in our stores during the quarter compared to 38.6 million visitors in the year-ago quarter, an increase of 57 percent.”  The stores success as well as the newly released IPod lineup makes the outlook for the remainder of the year very positive.

Adding a network of support for businesses to a company traditionally associated with creative endeavors is a great way to jump into the market.  If Apple’s track record is any indication then small business owners across the country might start saying “I’m a Mac.”

Chris DiMarco is a Web Editor for TMCnet. He holds a master�s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining TMC (News - Alert) Chris worked with e-commerce provider Suresource as a contact center representative and development analyst. To read more of Chris� articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Chris DiMarco