Twenty years ago this would be unheard of, enterprise corporations using Apple devices and Macs. However, an article in the New York Times stated, “Apple’s iPhones and iPads have become the preferred mobile computing devices for corporations, as industries from insurers to airlines aim to ditch bulky PCs and give their employees the ability to do their jobs from anywhere using smartphones or tablets.” The article stated further that the reason for this is security. Vindu Goel, the writer of the article, says, “Companies are turning to Apple’s products for their tight-knit hardware and software, advanced security features and intuitive interfaces. Aiding Apple’s corporate sales has been a concern that phones and tablets running Google’s Android software, which are generally cheaper and popular with consumers, have lagged in the security technology and the standardization that companies want.”
Some major corporations like IBM have partnered with Apple to offer enterprise solutions using Apple iOS devices. For example, you can view the IBM Knowledge center to view how corporations can manage all the company owned iOS devices. jamf software says, “As cited during Apple’s Q4 earnings call, each Mac deployed by IBM is saving the company $270 compared to a traditional PC, thanks to reduced support cost and better residual value.” This same source writes:
“Survey findings attribute user preference as the number one reason for the increased adoption of Mac (81 percent) and iOS devices (84 percent). As organizations continue to implement user choice programs, more and more employees are choosing Apple devices for work because this is what they prefer in their everyday lives. Secondary factors driving Apple adoption in the enterprise include security advantages and increased productivity features, among others. IT professionals agree that Mac (75 percent) and iOS (82 percent) devices offer more security compared to other computer platforms.”
Jonny Evans, Computerworld’s “Apple Holic” Blogger, is quoted as saying, “Today, just nine years since the launch of the iPhone, Apple has become a player in the enterprise.” Larry Dignan, Global Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of TechRepublic, writes, “As for the iPhone and iPad, what really changed in the enterprise was that the employee got a say in their device choices and brought their own gadgets to work….The devices are just a portal to better decision making and insight and that will be delivered via multiple clouds.”
Apple Device Enrollment Program
The Device Enrollment Program (DEP) provides a fast, streamlined way to deploy your corporate-owned Mac or iOS devices, whether purchased directly from Apple or through participating Apple Authorized Resellers. The Device Enrollment Program makes it even easier for users to get set up on iPad, iPhone, or Mac. IT configures devices through a management solution, and users are guided through the activation process with the built-in Setup Assistant. IT can further streamline setup by specifying that certain steps in Setup Assistant be skipped — such as screens for Apple ID, passcode, or terms of service. You may be interested in reading the Apple Deployment Programs Device Enrollment Program Guide or the Frequently Asked Questions.
Here are four reasons why your company should consider the Apple DEP solution for your enterprise:
(1) All your devices will be automatically managed. You’ll get an always up-to-date, reliable device registry, your devices will come complete with the security settings and configurations of your choice, and software will be installed as soon as you first turn them on.
(2) To prevent data and money loss you can stop your users from installing new apps and prevent them from removing those you’ve installed. You can say goodbye to excess data usage by disabling YouTube, podcasts and automatic app updates. And, especially if you’re an educator, you might want to deny your employees or students access to explicit content. For ultimate security, you can even restrict your iPads and iPhones into single app mode. With users unable to do anything beyond the specified app, this is ideal for point-of-sale devices, media centers and education.
(3) You are able to prevent anyone from removing the device management. If your users don’t like your policies, they have no choice but to comply. Even factory resetting the device – if you allow it – won’t remove the device from your policies. You’ll always be able to track your device’s location and even send messages to it. Just pointing out you have such powers can be enough to stop any ‘accidental loss’ problems.
(4) Since you can configure all the settings remotely, why not remove the burden from the user? There’s no need for them to click through a million different settings, decide whether Siri should be enabled or disabled, read through terms of service. In fact, they don’t have to do much of anything at all. Once they unbox the device and turn it on, they’re ready to go! This is a huge money-saver. Think of how many times your employees have recently asked you what to do when a random configuration popup appears. Multiply that by your number of devices and you’ll soon see how DEP saves you time and money.
If your company is interested in this program, you may watch this short video that explains how it works presented by Cortado Mobile Solutions or contact us for more information:
Education Using Apple Devices
If your school or college is interested in the Apple Education Deployment Guide from iBooks or the official web site, you may find a solution that best fits for you. Or you can contact us if you have any questions. Connectech can arrange for your students or staff to receive training on iOS devices or Macs. We have experience with schools so give us a call.