iTunes Connect Is Back Online

iTunes Connect, the suite of web-based tools that allows Apple developers to submit and manage their applications for distribution on the App Store, is now back online.

Apple has started notifying members of its Developer Program that iTunes Connect is live again, following a temporary shutdown for the winter holidays.

The Mac maker is addressing each programmer in part saying, “Congratulations on another great holiday season! iTunes Connect is now back online.”

The message continues: “We appreciate your patience during our planned iTunes Connect holiday shutdown.”

“Due to high sales volumes, your Sales and Trend reports will only display sales transactions (and not updates).”

Apple ends its message thanking devs “for helping make the App Store the most innovative and successful software channel in the world.”

In iTunes Connect, those enrolled with Apple’s developer program can check the status of their contracts, set up tax and banking information, obtain sales and finance reports, request promotional codes, manage users, applications, metadata, and their in-app purchase catalog.

The tool targets persons who either own or control a catalog of content for digital distribution, or are an authorized representative of someone who does.

According to November announcement posted by Apple on its Developer web site, Mac Developer Program members who plan to distribute their apps on the upcoming Mac App Store were being granted access to iTunes Connect.

At the time, Apple rushed developers to get their apps ready for review, so that their software would be featured in the venue at launch.

“The Mac App Store will be opening soon,” Apple said on November 3. “You can get ready by submitting your Mac apps for review now. Log in to the Mac Dev Center for details on setting up an iTunes Connect account, creating Apple-issued Mac Distribution Certificates, and preparing your apps for the review process.”

Apple plans to open the Mac App Store on January 6.