How Jamf and Teqtivity work together for end-to-end zero-touch device onboarding

Note: Though Apple transitioned Apple Business Manager to Apple Business in April 2026, for simplicity this article uses ABM when referring to the established integration and workflow.

Zero-touch deployment changed how companies get Apple devices into employees' hands. IT teams can use Apple Business Manager (ABM) and Jamf to enroll and configure devices without manually preparing every device before it reaches the user.

But deployment is only one part of device onboarding.

Before an employee signs in, information about that device has already passed through several systems. A procurement provider has the purchase details. ABM has the enrollment record. Jamf manages the endpoint. A shipping provider knows where the package is. IT asset management needs to connect those events to the device and the employee receiving it.

Without those connections, IT can still end up copying serial numbers, checking shipment status, reconciling records and updating assignments manually.

A complete zero-touch device onboarding workflow extends automation to this asset data, allowing the record to stay current as the device moves from purchase through employee assignment.

What is zero-touch device onboarding?

Zero-touch device onboarding is a workflow that automates device enrollment, configuration, delivery tracking and asset record updates as equipment moves from purchase to an employee.

Zero-touch deployment is a major part of that workflow. With Apple Business Manager and Jamf, an Apple device can be enrolled in device management and configured for an employee without IT physically setting it up first.

The broader onboarding process also involves the systems responsible for purchasing, shipping, inventory and assignment.

A complete workflow connects these stages:

Purchase → Enrollment → Device Management → Shipment → Employee Assignment → IT Asset Record

When these systems exchange data, IT can spend less time moving information between them manually.

Why zero-touch deployment is only part of device onboarding

Zero-touch deployment addresses what needs to happen to the device before an employee can use it.

Asset management has a different requirement: maintaining a reliable record of the device as its status and responsibility change.

Different systems know different things about the same device:

• A procurement platform knows what was ordered and purchased.
• Apple Business Manager handles enrollment and directs the device into the organization's management environment.
• Jamf provides information about the managed endpoint and its user.
• Shipping systems provide information about its physical journey.

Teqtivity connects those events into a lifecycle record.

The challenge is keeping the asset record updated as the device moves through each system. If IT has to copy information from procurement, ABM, Jamf and shipping tools into the asset system, much of the onboarding process still depends on manual work.

What does a complete zero-touch device onboarding workflow look like?

A complete zero-touch device onboarding workflow connects procurement, device enrollment, endpoint management, shipping and IT asset management so data generated at each stage can contribute to the device's asset record.

With Teqtivity and Jamf, that flow can look like this:

Procurement → Apple Business Manager → Jamf → Shipment → Employee Login

Teqtivity connects to the systems involved at different points in that flow, collecting the information needed to build and update the asset record.

The device moves forward physically. Its record updates along with it.

How zero-touch device onboarding works from purchase to assignment

Here’s how the device and its asset data move through the onboarding process, from the initial purchase to employee assignment.

To make the workflow easier to follow, the example below follows Luna’s MacBook through onboarding at Qubity, a fictional company.

Step 1: Qubity orders Luna’s MacBook

Qubity orders a 14-inch MacBook Pro for Luna through CDW.

Teqtivity pulls the available purchase and device details into the asset record, including the order information, model, shipment details and serial number.

Step 2: Luna’s MacBook moves into Jamf

CDW enrolls Luna’s MacBook in Apple Business Manager, which assigns it to Jamf.

Teqtivity pulls the available ABM data into the same asset record, keeping the purchase and enrollment information connected.

Step 3: IT assigns the MacBook to Luna

Once the MacBook appears in Jamf, IT assigns it to Luna and applies the appropriate management policies.

Teqtivity pulls the device and user information from Jamf, keeping Luna’s asset record current without IT entering the assignment again.

Step 4: Luna’s MacBook ships

The MacBook is shipped to Luna’s delivery address.

Teqtivity syncs the available shipment data with the asset record, so IT can see whether the device has shipped, is in transit or has been delivered.

Step 5: Luna logs in

Luna receives the MacBook and logs in. Jamf reports the current managed-device information from the endpoint.

Teqtivity uses that data to confirm the MacBook’s assignment to Luna and complete the onboarding record.

The device has now moved through the full onboarding process:

Purchased → Enrolled → Managed → Shipped → Received → Assigned

What gets automated in zero-touch device onboarding?

Each system has a specific role in the onboarding process.

Procurement provider

• Stage: purchase
• Information or action: purchase and device information

Apple Business Manager

• Stage: enrollment
• Information or action: device enrollment

Jamf

• Stage: management
• Information or action: endpoint management and user information

Shipping integration

• Stage: delivery
• Information or action: shipment status

Teqtivity + Jamf

• Stage: assignment
• Information or action: device-to-employee association

Teqtivity

• Stage: asset lifecycle
• Information or action: connected asset information

The automation is in the data flow between systems. IT still makes the decisions around purchasing, configuration, employee assignment and exceptions.

What are the benefits of an integrated device onboarding workflow?

When onboarding data moves automatically between procurement, ABM, Jamf, shipping and Teqtivity, IT spends less time checking systems, reconciling records and following up on routine status changes.

That time can go toward work that requires more attention, such as handling exceptions, supporting employees, resolving device issues and managing the broader asset lifecycle.

The workflow also gives IT a more current view of device status and assignment. That makes it easier to answer questions, respond to issues, and manage assets without first verifying information across several systems.

Zero-touch only continues to work if the asset record keeps up

Employee assignment is the beginning of the device's operational life. The information captured during onboarding establishes its starting history: where it came from, how it entered management, how it reached the employee and who received it.

A complete onboarding record gives IT reliable asset history for later transfers, offboarding, recovery, audits and retirement.

Device onboarding can move quickly. If the asset record only updates after someone steps in, the device can be purchased, enrolled, shipped and assigned before the record catches up. That creates an immediate visibility problem for IT.

Connected integrations keep information flowing across procurement, ABM, Jamf, shipping and Teqtivity throughout onboarding. The asset record reflects the device’s status from purchase to employee assignment.

For zero-touch onboarding to work end to end, the device and its asset record need to stay in sync.

Key takeaways

• Zero-touch device onboarding goes beyond device configuration. It connects procurement, enrollment, shipping, assignment and the IT asset record.
• Scales across borders and teams. Zero-touch onboarding helps multinational organizations manage device onboarding consistently across countries, offices, and remote employees.
• Each system contributes a different part of the onboarding data. Procurement provides purchase information, Apple Business Manager handles enrollment, Jamf manages the endpoint, and shipping integrations track delivery.
• Teqtivity keeps the asset record updated as the device moves through each stage. This reduces the need for IT to copy information manually between systems.
• Automation supports the workflow without removing IT from key decisions. IT still controls purchasing, configuration, assignment and exception handling.
• A complete onboarding record gives IT a reliable starting point for the rest of the asset lifecycle, including transfers, offboarding, recovery, audits and retirement.

Take the workflow further

See what happens after the connection

Learn how Jamf device and user data can support the broader asset lifecycle in Teqtivity + Jamf integration.

Frequently asked questions

What is zero-touch device onboarding?

Zero-touch device onboarding is an automated workflow for moving a device from purchase through enrollment, configuration, delivery and employee assignment with minimal manual intervention. Integrations between procurement, device management, shipping and IT asset management systems allow information to move alongside the device.

What is the difference between zero-touch deployment and zero-touch device onboarding?

Zero-touch deployment focuses on enrolling and configuring a device without IT physically preparing it. Zero-touch device onboarding covers the broader process, including procurement, enrollment, device management, delivery, employee assignment and asset record updates.

How does Jamf zero-touch deployment work with IT asset management?

Jamf manages and reports information about the endpoint, while IT asset management maintains the broader lifecycle record. A Jamf and ITAM integration connects device and user information from Jamf with the corresponding asset record.

Can IT asset records be created automatically during device onboarding?

Yes. When ITAM integrates with procurement and device management systems, the asset record can be created from purchase information and updated as the device moves through enrollment, management, shipping and employee assignment.

What systems are needed for zero-touch device onboarding?

A complete workflow can connect procurement, Apple Business Manager, endpoint management such as Jamf, shipping and IT asset management. Each system contributes information needed to move the device from purchase through employee assignment while keeping its asset record current.