Apple ID on corporate iPhones and iPads

Question

Hello,
I'm trying to set up multiple iPads and iPhones for our corporate environment. I've used the iPhone Configuration Utility to create a default profile for our business and to streamline the setup process.
I have a basic configuration and three apps I'm attempting to load on the devices using the Configuration Utility. The configuration profile and all three apps load fine on new devices. The problem I've encountered is that all three (free) apps seem perpetually tied to my own Apple ID, which is the Apple ID I initially used to download the apps.
The apps work just fine but when an end user is prompted to update any one of the apps they are also prompted for my Apple ID in order to proceed. I tried to explore the option of volume licensing but this only seems to apply to paid apps.
Downloading the apps individually for each device is not really an option. One because it's a huge waste fo time and resources, and two because it would require me to set up an Apple ID for each end user. That's something I'm not prepared to do when rolling out dozens of devices.
Is there no way to add free apps to a new device using the Configuration Utility without having said apps tied to one Apple ID?
Thanks,
Rob A.

Answer 1

Unless they are in-house developed and distributed apps, no. They will be tied to an Apple ID.
That's why we created an Apple ID for [email protected] (our company), and downloaded the apps using that Apple ID.
Not the best solution, but it will work for us for now... and we only have about 2 dozen devices to manage.