I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “a company’s greatest asset is their employees.” However, they can only be your greatest asset when they have the tools they need to be successful. For this, and many other reasons, many enterprises are offering Apple products to their employees.

This is especially true as the need and desire for flexible working environments has grown. offers simplified deployment and management, all while offering superior security, interconnectivity between devices, and productivity benefits for users.

As an added bonus, Apple devices are a popular choice as personal tech devices, meaning there’s a good change your employees are already familiar with using Mac, iPhone, and iPad at home. This familiarity is an added productivity bonus, on top of letting your employees utilize devices they already know and love for work.

The Availability of New Technologies and Ease of Updates

There’s a reason why Apple is the gold standard for new and shiny pieces of tech. With frequent and significant upgrades to hardware and their signature operating systems, iOS, macOS, and now iPadOS, Apple offers your employees the latest and greatest in digital technology.

Recently, Apple announced a at , their annual worldwide developers conference. The news included the reveal of , , and All three will be available to the general public sometime this fall. In the meantime, it’s time for IT to see how these updates will impact the enterprise’s IT environment and get prepared for the switch.

Thankfully, Apple makes this easy too. While there are third-party alternatives for managing software patches and updates, Apple offers a cloud-based service called Software Update, which enables IT teams to apply security patches and operating system updates.

The service also publishes patches and updates for frequently used applications such as Safari and iTunes for added efficiency. Mac is pointed to the service by default, which automatically notifies end users of any patches and updates they need to apply, and then prompts them to execute the downloads. For enterprises, putting self-service in the hands of your users keeps them focused and productive and reduces IT support tickets.

Apple Offers Unbeatable ROI

Beyond all the previously mentioned benefits of Apple devices in the enterprise, your business will see additional savings when it comes to IT.

A found that when organizations decided to implement an employee choice program and offer Mac, they “reduced IT support costs, improved employee productivity and engagement, and improved overall security.”

By reducing the amount of time spent managing devices and responding to the help desk, Apple helps reduce overall costs and lets IT focus on more important and complex tasks.

BONUS: Read our 2-part blog series that shares the ROI highlights from Forrester’s TEI study about Mac.

Apple Helps Enterprises Keep Data Safe

Security is on everyone’s mind right now. New threats are popping up every day and the financial ramifications of a successful cyberattack just keep growing.

To help reduce the risk that cyberthreats pose, Apple has gone to great lengths to ensure the use of Apple devices in the enterprise does not pose a security risk.

Here are a few of the strategies and technologies utilized by Apple to ensure security:

• Secure startup processes
• Extensive system safeguards
• Strong passcode policies
• The Apple T2 Security Chip
• Runtime protection, sandboxing, and other tools used to ensure downloaded apps are only accessing data in pre-authorized ways

Over the last few years, Apple has emerged as an industry leader when it comes to user data privacy and security and has taken a firm stance on data protection as a corporation. Find out more about Apple’s security strategies from Apple CEO Tim Cook’s presented at the most recent Computers Privacy and Data Protection (CPDP) Conference.

Apple Authorized Resellers Can Help Enterprises Get Started

Enterprises looking to implement Apple devices can work with Apple Authorized Resellers to get started, as well as utilizing them for ongoing maintenance and support. As an Apple Authorize Reseller, WEI can help you quickly and efficiently integrate Apple into your enterprise with full lifecycle support, so you can deliver the user experience your employees have come to expect.

Are You Ready to Empower Your Employees with Apple In The Enterprise?

Implementing Apple for those employees who consistently request them drives productivity, collaboration, and creativity throughout the enterprise. Many of our customers have already made the transition to a blended Windows and Apple environment that enables employees to enjoy how they use technology in their jobs. Find out how WEI can help you create efficiencies with Apple device management and how our specialized services can help you roll out a user experience that will empower your employees to do their best work. Contact WEI today to find out how we are helping our employees deploy and manage Apple in the enterprise with full lifecycle support.

NEXT STEPS: Get our official guide to everything you need to know to prepare for offering Apple in the Enterprise in our exclusive eBook below.

The post Why Apple Is Gaining Traction In The Enterprise appeared first on IT Solutions Provider - IT Consulting - Technology Solutions.

For many enterprises, devices have become the next step forward in offering employees the user experience they want. However, the implementation and administration of Mac, iPad, iPhone, and other Apple devices have created unique challenges for many IT organizations that were unfamiliar with the Apple provisioning model. As part of our commitment to helping enterprises start their Apple journey on the right foot, we’ve compiled the top 5 most frequently asked questions we receive about deploying Apple in the enterprise and our answers.

1. Are Apple Devices Secure Enough?

Security is often top of mind whenever new technology is being introduced at the enterprise, and for good reason. Thankfully, , with advanced security built into every product from the ground up.

From system security, to data security, to app security, Apple has gone to great lengths to ensure the use of Apple in the workplace does not pose a security risk.

Here are a few of the strategies and technologies utilized by Apple to ensure security:

• Secure startup processes
• Extensive system safeguards
• Strong passcode policies
• The Apple T2 Security Chip
• Runtime protection, sandboxing, and other tools used to ensure downloaded apps are only accessing data in pre-authorized ways

In fact, Apple is emerging as an industry leader when it comes to user data privacy and security and has taken a firm stance on data protection as a corporation. In case you missed it, you can watch 12-minute opening keynote presented at the most recent Computers Privacy Data Protection (CPDP) Conference.

[Featured video]
Real Tech with WEI Customer Question video series

Misconceptions of Apple in the Enterprise

2. Is Implementation More Complex?

Once the decision has been made to begin offering an Apple as a Choice program to employees, the next step is to plan for implementation. To make the process of rolling out Apple in the enterprise as simple as possible, we can break down the process into four steps:

• Preparation – This phase includes planning for integration with your network and other key infrastructure, as well as setting up any other systems that are required for deployment.
• Set Up – In this step, enterprises define corporate policies for data management and security, as well as setting up your mobile device management (MDM) solution.
• Deployment – Once preparation and set up are complete, enterprises can begin deployment and distribution of Apple throughout the workforce.
• Management – The final step of the process is ongoing management and maintenance of devices, which is made easier through the selected MDM and by partnering with an Apple Authorized Reseller, like WEI.

To guide enterprises through the process of implementation, Apple has created a which goes into detail on each of the above steps.

3. How Do Apple Devices Compare When it Comes to Administration?

Ensuring your team is prepared for maintenance and provisioning is vital to successful implementation and administration. Working with an Apple Authorized Reseller like WEI is critical here. We can educate your team on best practices and build them right into your processes. Or you can offload a lot of the administration work to WEI’s team of Apple experts.

While there are third-party alternatives for managing software patches and updates, Apple does offer a cloud-based service called Software Update, which enables IT teams to apply security patches and operating system updates. The service also publishes patches and updates for frequently used applications such as Safari and iTunes for added efficiency. Mac is pointed to the service by default, which automatically notifies end users of any patches and updates they need to apply, and then prompts them to execute the downloads. Putting self-service in the hands of your users keeps them focused and productive and reduces IT support tickets. Which leads us to our next FAQ

4. Do Apple Devices Complicate the Help Desk?

When it comes to user support, it really is only as complex as you make it. Communication with employees and offering specific instructions to users that make it clear who they need to contact with questions goes a long way to simplifying the help desk experience for both IT and employees.

Another way of simplifying the user experience for those employees using Apple devices is to utilize self-service applications, which can act like an app store where IT can post software that has been tested, an additional browser, or a plugin for their email program, etc. Approved applications like these can be installed to machines automatically with a simple click. Users know the applications are safe to use, and IT does not need to be involved in the installation process.

Plus, there is a good chance an overwhelming majority of your employees have personal familiarity with from using Mac and iPad at home and doing almost everything else in their life with iPhone. Familiarity with Apple cannot be overlooked and your employees will appreciate using a tool they know and love for work.

5. Can WEI Help Enterprises Get Started?

Absolutely! We are experts in helping enterprises implement Apple, as well as providing ongoing maintenance and support. Our enterprise IT experts will work closely with your team to streamline the deployment of the new Apple technology. We can also show you all the tools available to ease the integration of new devices into your organization, and how to best use them to your advantage. We know the best practices based on our own experience and we’ve been partnering with Apple since 2012. We can help create efficiencies throughout the entire lifecycle: deployment, provisioning, and maintenance. Our customers consider WEI an extension of their team.

[Featured video]
Real Tech with WEI Customer Question video series

How to create efficiencies when managing Apple devices for the enterprise

Ready to Start Offering Apple in YOUR Enterprise?

Offering Apple as a choice to your employees drives productivity, collaboration, and creativity throughout the enterprise. It’s true, and we wrote a whole blog post about it here! Many of our customers have already made the transition to a blended Windows and Apple environment that enables employees to enjoy how they use technology in their jobs. It’s really about providing your employees with the power of choice so they can be happier in their jobs and do their best work. and we can help you get started and answer any questions you have.

NEXT STEPS: We’re here to help you prepare for Apple in YOUR enterprise. Our eBook below is jam-packed with insights, best practices, and guides to help you prepare your team for Apple. Check out the eBook below and then reach out to our team with your questions. We’re here to offer guidance and support as much as possible as you develop your Apple device management strategy.

The post Top 5 FAQs About Apple and Mac In The Enterprise appeared first on IT Solutions Provider - IT Consulting - Technology Solutions.

In today’s digital world, the technology you deploy in the enterprise can make or break the productivity of your business. The blending of work life and home life is becoming more intertwined, and users wants to be able to do the best version of their work on the devices in which they feel most comfortable using. This growing popularity and favoritism of Apple products really isn’t new per se, but there’s been an influx of questions from IT professionals regarding the best strategies for integration and management of , , and in their established IT environment.

We spent some time collecting our thoughts on the critical steps an organization can take to position them for success when offering and managing Apple products across the enterprise, and we hope you will find these tips helpful as you address your own Apple device management strategy.

Questions to ask before integrating Apple products in your enterprise

Let’s start at the top with key questions to ask when initially considering offering Apple as a choice for your business. These questions will be instrumental to the design and/or refinement of your Apple strategy.

1. How tightly integrated do these devices need to be within the organization?
   Your business is unique, as is your IT environment and your IT processes. A marketing agency may require Mac throughout the office and for remote workers, a retailer may be interested in utilizing iPad for store management apps or iPhone for quick checkout and returns, while a healthcare organization may only seek to augment their mobile strategy with iPhone and iPad for more accessible patient care. All these scenarios require a unique approach and discussing them with key stakeholders will be important in determining your requirements.
2. How will the addition of these devices benefit performance and productivity?
   Where are you seeing an abundance of support tickets? Can Mac or other Apple devices circumvent these common issues? In a global survey of those who use , 70% of respondents experienced 2 or fewer issues on their Mac within the last 12 months, and half of those reported zero issues in 12 months.
3. How widely available do Apple devices need to be throughout the enterprise?
   Will only specific employees need to utilize Apple devices, or should they be available to every employee? Are there any unique job requirements that would be better served if the work is done on Mac? Do you manage a distrusted enterprise or large campus? Consider the implications of device use at your branch offices and data center locations.
4. Where and how are users connecting to the network?
   Are all users on-premises or does the enterprise support a large remote workforce? Do most employees connect over wired networks, or is it all about wireless? How many different devices could be connected to the network at the same time by one user? Should some apps get restricted access based on user location or will they require two-factor authentication for access? These questions fuel great conversation that can help you fully understand how your users will connect and their unique requirements.

How important is VPN support? In regulated industries, compliance can be a defining factor in determining which devices gain adoption within the enterprise. That’s why it’s also a good idea to examine the elements of compliance that need to be upheld, and factor them in when creating an Apple deployment strategy.

3 Success Factors for your Enterprise Apple Device Management Strategy

Success with Apple in the enterprise is twofold: you have to keep users happy and productive, as well as the IT team managing and executing the strategy. To ensure your enterprise can effectively utilize Apple, we have shared our top three factors for success below.

1. Prioritize the Most Important Integration Points

   
   

When implementing Apple in the enterprise, it is critical to have a firm plan in place and a deep understanding of the integration points where Apple devices and your enterprise will intersect.

Authentication is one of, if not the most important integration point when implementing Apple in the enterprise. One key method to ensure all technology, including Apple devices, align with your enterprise’s global security and compliance standards is to adopt authentication tools and techniques that accommodate a broad set of use cases while still offering granular access control. This requires the ability to authenticate based on user, device, or application, and to enforce policies for Apple devices whether they are being used on-site, via VPN, or even in airplane mode.

Device provisioning and management is another important integration point and is often an area of challenge for IT organizations due to the sheer volume of devices that must be managed for enterprise-scale businesses. However, there are a number of mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can help simplify the process and help ensure the successful integration and utilization of Apple in the enterprise. , we’ve helped a number of our enterprise customers deploy different MDM solutions that align with their unique business.

2. Consider the Skillsets of Your IT Staff

   
   

When planning your Apple device management strategy, it’s important to consider the impact of the required processes on your IT staff. Depending on the skillsets and workload of your IT team, as well as the scale of your Apple device deployment, you may need to hire specific staff to manage the Apple devices used throughout your enterprise.

A good rule of thumb for staffing is to ensure you have enough capacity to manage Apple devices throughout their entire lifecycles, from the early stages of purchasing and provisioning, to ongoing maintenance and updating.

It’s also critical to consider working directly with an Apple Authorized Reseller that can take on many of the deployment and management aspects, as well as the repeated tasks, so you can free up your staff for more specialized troubleshooting or innovative projects.

3. Plan For Lifecycle Management

   
   

Overall, managing Apple devices is not all that different from Microsoft, Google, or Linux operating systems. However, there are several key differences that can require additional planning when compared to other devices, and lifecycle management is one of them.

The following areas all have minor differences that must be considered when utilizing Apple, and developing a plan for full lifecycle management will set you up for success.

1. Purchasing – The procurement process could be slightly complex for those who do not have experience procuring Apple products for business, and to reduce costs and simplify acquisition, many enterprises work with an Apple Authorized Reseller. Having a specific vendor for Apple can also simplify the institutional ownership process for those devices, as well as the Apple device enrollment process. As an Apple Authorized Reseller since 2012, we highly recommend collaborating with us during the procurement and deployment process. We have tried and true best practices engrained in our processes and we transfer that knowledge directly to your team.
2. Provisioning and Maintenance – In addition to the wide array of third-party MDMs available to simplify the provisioning process, you can also make provisioning a part of the purchasing process and involve your Apple Authorized Reseller in the process. The right partner can take on delivery of all Apple devices and configure their access levels, OS versions, settings, and application sets for the users who will ultimately receive them. Did we mention we can ship them directly to each user complete customized and ready to go right out of the box? We do this regularly for several of our largest enterprise customers, and from what we hear, our customers really appreciate this extra level of care.
3. Secure Repair – This is a subject even those outside IT have experienced. Apple device repair may not be as simple and straightforward as it is for other devices. It’s the security aspect that requires a different level of care. It’s the job of IT to develop and enforce a repair service level agreement that provides the following assurances:
   • A warranty provider of repair services
   • Device lockdown during transport
   • The ability to audit for compliance and enforce custom security measures
   • Secure disposal of components and devices, including wipe clean service
   • Rapid provisioning and delivery for loaner devices during service
   • Stocking replacement devices so they’re ready when needed

[Get the full picture of how WEI can help with Apple in our Service Brief below]

Where are you running into challenges? How can we help?

Despite the unique considerations that must be taken into account when implementing Apple at the enterprise level, it is not nearly as intimidating as it may seem. And once implemented, Apple devices throughout the enterprise. Overall, the key to Apple device implementation success can be summarized in a simple word: planning. And you’ll benefit from partnering with WEI regardless of where you are in your Apple device management strategy. Ask us how we can augment what you’re already doing, increase efficiencies, and reduce operational costs throughout the lifecycle. to start a discussion.

Next Steps: Explore more about Apple! Our eBook is jam-packed with best practices, tips for improving efficiencies, and additional points to consider when planning your Apple or Mac as a Choice program. We invite you to download a copy below and share it with your team.

The post Top 3 Success Factors for Your Enterprise Apple Strategy appeared first on IT Solutions Provider - IT Consulting - Technology Solutions.

When it comes to employee productivity, few things are as beneficial as allowing each user to choose the tools that work best for them. For IT, this means creating an environment that allows employees to pick their preferred OS platform. When given the choice, many users will choose a .

In order to properly integrate Mac into the enterprise network, IT needs the knowledge to ensure smooth implementation and ongoing support. Mac is not particularly difficult or overly complex to manage; but the processes for provisioning, securing, patching and updating are different compared to the processes associated with other operating systems. Therefore, IT teams do not usually have a solid understanding of how to apply the same deployment and management processes to Mac.

To help make your Mac deployment as smooth as possible, we’re sharing best practices from the WEI team, based on our own experience in managing Mac in the workplace.

1. Understand How Apple Provisioning Works

While provisioning Mac is not overly complex, the process differs significantly from the more traditional imaging process. More specifically, Apple provisioning is done through the , which runs in the cloud and can be accessed through the application.

After registering device serial numbers in DEP, IT will enroll the devices in a mobile device management (MDM) tool. The tool allows IT to set up group policy objects (GPO), which includes settings for the configuration profiles of users according to their designated user group. It also indicates which applications users should see on their desktop and their security access settings. This process, while not complex, is often completely foreign to IT teams who have only worked in Windows environments.

The most important benefit of Apple’s process is that, because the MDM installs the applications and the settings to the devices via the , end users can start working without IT ever having to physically touch their Mac during the provisioning process.

2. Deliver Updates to Mac Efficiently

The process for applying security patches and OS updates for Mac is simplified with a free service from Apple called macOS Updates.

For Mac, it can be especially important to test different device configurations to make sure patches and updates won’t break any operating systems and applications in the environment. Specific services to test include the ability to log into email, utilize VPN services, and access files in shared drives. It’s especially important to test when deploying antivirus software, which can sometimes break the OS and cause machines to crash.

To manage the process, it’s best to utilize a dedicated Apple Software Update Server, but an alternative to purchasing it is to manage and test patches on Windows and Linux machines. Open source tools, such as Reposado and Munki, which run on MDM platforms from Jamf and AirWatch, can act just like Apple’s software update mechanisms, allowing IT to push updates to end users the same way they would do so from the update server.

[Featured video]

3 Reasons Why Employees Prefer Apple Devices in the Digital Workplace

3. Secure Mac With Authentication Measures

The primary way to ensure Mac security is two-factor authentication. In addition to requiring user names and passwords, IT can require users to request a code that is sent via a text message that they have to enter to gain access. Alternatively, IT can give users a thumb drive to plug into their devices. Without either the code or the thumb drive, users cannot log in and authenticate their identity.

For user identity services, Active Directory is the primary tool that IT teams will be familiar with. However, Mac can have performance issues when joined directly to it. To simplify the process, IT teams can use tools like Apple Enterprise Connect and Jamf Connected to eliminate the need for local machines to be directly joined to Active Directory, while also tracking account credentials on local machines. This approach simplifies the login process for end users while still giving IT departments the ability to enforce policies, such as requiring users to change passwords every three months.

4. Simplify Support for Mac

Our final best practice tip is the most important: Do everything in your power to simplify technical support for your Mac users. The easier it is for users to get the technical support they need, the easier it will be for IT to deploy and administer Mac. The first step is ensuring that your Mac device users know exactly who to contact when they have issues. This will ensure users can get the help they need quickly and efficiently, reducing the likelihood of security risks or other issues going ignored and speeding along the updating and patching process.

Self-service applications, run by tools from Jamf and Munki that behave similarly to the App Store, can reduce support desk phone calls and tickets. This is due to users having access to already approved and safe applications whenever they need them.

Additionally, the ability to run simple maintenance tasks to fix minor issues will also help users feel empowered and ensure little problems get fixed quickly, instead of sitting in the IT queue.

Are You Ready To Deploy Mac?

Implementing Mac for those employees who consistently request them drives productivity, collaboration and creativity throughout the enterprise. For IT teams, especially those without prior Mac experience, initial deployment can seem complex, but by following the best practices we outlined above, as well as making use of the business tools Apple offers, your users can be up and running in no time.

NEXT STEPS: As an Apple Authorized Reseller, WEI has extensive knowledge of Apple products. Our Apple services are customized to your unique business and always incorporate Apple deployment and management best practices. Learn more by visiting our Apple page or check out our refreshed tech brief, “Five Steps For Digital Workplace Success With Apple.”

The post 4 Best Practices for Deploying Mac in the Workplace appeared first on IT Solutions Provider - IT Consulting - Technology Solutions.