Jamf Blog
May 8, 2018 by Kerry Fortman

Apple MDM essentials: Part 3

In the conclusion of our three-part Apple MDM essentials series, we examine the six key elements of Apple management and explain why they matter.

If you haven’t seen the first two blogs in this series, get caught up by learning the basics of mobile device management (MDM) and the Apple programs and services at your disposal. With that out of the way, let’s move on to our final installation of this series.

From initial deployment to the end-user experience, it’s critical to understand, manage and support the entire lifecycle of the Apple devices in your environment. This ensures both the security and maximized potential of your technology initiative. In this blog, we’ll highlight the six key elements of Apple management and why they matter.

First things first, what are the six components of MDM?

  1. Deployment
  2. Configuration
  3. App management
  4. Inventory
  5. Security
  6. User empowerment

1. Deployment: Getting devices into the hands of users quickly and efficiently.

Before configuring devices for end users, devices must be enrolled into management within an MDM. Why? Because you can’t send management commands and settings to an unenrolled device. Based on your organization’s needs, there are a variety of methods in which to enroll these devices: zero-touch or user-initiated enrollments. For more details on workflows and Jamf recommendations, download our comprehensive Apple management guide.

2. Configuration management: Applying the correct settings on your users’ devices.

Through the power of configuration profiles, policies and scripts, you can configure and customize Apple devices any way you see fit. For an in-depth view of the endless possibilities, view the first part of our series.

3. App management: Ensuring the correct software and apps are on each device.

By pairing Apple’s app deployment methods with a device management solution, you can purchase apps and deploy the right ones to the right devices at the right time. Whether your organization is choosing to utilize Apple’s built-in apps, one (or many) of the millions of apps from the App Store or creating your own in-house custom apps, you can ensure they are securely shared within your environment.

4. Inventory: Reporting on the critical status information of each device.

You can’t manage what you can’t measure. The inventory data your MDM solution collects can be used for an array of business needs and empowers you to answer common questions like:

  • Are all my devices secure?
  • How many apps do we have deployed?
  • What version of iOS, macOS or tvOS are certain devices running?

Some management solutions even allow you to collect extra (custom) inventory about specific hardware and software add-ons.

5. Security: Securing devices to meet or exceed organizational standards.

The security and privacy of devices, as well as access to corporate resources, are top priorities for any organization. To address these concerns, Apple has a number of security features built right into macOS, iOS and tvOS. When you couple Apple’s native security with an MDM solution, you can ensure that your devices are not only secure, but your apps and network are too.

6. User empowerment: Allowing users to self-help when they require resources and services.

Enterprise app catalogs meet the needs of users by offering them instant access to resources, content and trusted apps through a single click from their device — all without submitting a help ticket to IT.

Want to learn more about lifecycle management of your Apple devices? Or see best practices and recommended workflows related to these components? Download our comprehensive guide for Apple Management and get all your questions answered!

Kerry Fortman
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