Blog Considerations for Mac in the Enterprise
By Anna Donnelly / 4 Dec 2024 / Topics: Devices
By Anna Donnelly / 4 Dec 2024 / Topics: Devices
To the delight of Apple users everywhere, IT organizations are figuring out that traditional concerns about how to manage Mac® devices have largely been eliminated — thanks to Apple Business Manager and integration with management platforms, such as Intune.
That said, successful integration of macOS in enterprise environments still requires planning and knowledge. Here is a comprehensive list for IT professionals to consider when effectively supporting Mac in the workplace and how Insight can help in every step.
Apple Business Manager (ABM) is a free service that provides automated device enrollment, purchasing apps, and content distribution for Mac devices, like Microsoft® Autopilot. Automated device enrollment is key to an efficient experience by automatically enrolling your Mac devices into your Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, allowing for zero-touch deployment.
Does your MDM platform support macOS? Modern device management is always the way to give your users the “any device, anywhere” experience. Choose a platform, such as Microsoft Intune, Workspace ONE, or Jamf Pro to manage your devices and make sure you account for:
Make sure you pay attention to any needs you have for enterprise security on Mac devices. This includes how devices are encrypted. Whether your current security solution is compatible with macOS (Microsoft Defender and CrowdStrike are), configure the built-in macOS firewall — accounting for software updates and rapid security response patches, and ensuring Mac device compliance with industry, governance, and reporting regulations.
Giving Mac users a great experience begins with simplifying their login experience on their corporate device and resources via SSO. The most seamless SSO experience on Mac is with Microsoft Intune and Entra, which uses Apple’s implementation of Platform SSO with Intune.
Know how Apple® devices will access your network and resources with considerations for:
Some users will want a Mac but won’t be able to access all their apps as-is. Make sure you account for:
For end users, provide useful online resources, including user guides and FAQs, and offer training sessions, such as the Mac Skills Series.
For helpdesk resources, create knowledgebase articles and use Apple’s device support training at training.apple.com. Beyond training employees, know your options for device support:
Cloud file storage solutions are best practice and essential for Mac users. Microsoft OneDrive is a great option, and admins can configure Known Folder Move to redirect macOS Desktop and Documents folders to OneDrive. For corporate-owned devices, manage employee usage of personal iCloud® accounts and iCloud Drive® with MDM.
As you would for any device, account for updates and patches (including third-party patches using tools such as Munki or AutoPkg), and testing. Check out Apple’s program for evaluating pre-release software in the enterprise using your Managed Apple Account from ABM (see beta.apple.com/for-it). This allows you to download, install, and test OS pre-releases throughout the year, provide feedback to Apple, and access useful documentation.
Are you confident in your asset and lifecycle management solutions? It’s important to evaluate how you manage and track devices to ensure security and cost-effective operations. Insight’s Advanced Asset Management and Lifecycle Management services are second to none, providing service and visibility to all your devices.
Last but not least, make sure you stay ahead of the latest announcements and information that will impact your device experience. This is easier said than done, but remember that Insight can help you every step of the way and into the future.