How to Create Jamf Manifests for Custom Configuration Profiles | JNUC 2023

Bill Smith's JNUC session, "How to Create Jamf Manifests for Custom Configuration Profiles," offered an in-depth look at enhancing Jamf Pro's capabilities through customized configuration profiles. Aimed at IT admins seeking advanced administration skills, the session covered how to manage applications and Mac settings beyond Jamf Pro's default payload range.

Custom configuration profiles, Smith explained, can control various applications like macOS time zones, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Zoom, using plist preferences. Jamf manifests simplify this process, allowing admins to easily input settings through user-friendly forms. These manifests, essentially lists of properties and potential values, are shared within the community, enabling collaborative improvements.

Smith outlined that manifests are plain text files in JSON format, adhering to a JSON Schema structure. He demonstrated the creation of a basic manifest, explaining each coding element and how to integrate it into Jamf Pro for form building.

The session delved into adding properties to a manifest, validating values, and incorporating useful information. Smith provided practical examples and resources, making the creation of these manifests more accessible.

The significance of this session lies in empowering Jamf Pro users to extend the platform's utility to tailor-fit their organizational needs, fostering a more efficient and customized device management experience. Attendees were encouraged to explore Jamf's developer website for sample manifests and additional resources.