Apple devices have been incorporated with features designed to simplify Mac support and management.
Mac computers have a built-in mobile device management (MDM) framework that allows for basic admin control. This provides a way for a user to have admin rights for work devices, as the devices communicate with the management server to obtain the defined configuration profiles and management commands.
However since macOS is a much stronger platform than iOS or iPadOS, it may require a more advanced functionality than an MDM.
MacOS client management allows the user to auto-install the Mac agent, also called a binary, after the enrolment of the device into the framework. This creates a hidden admin account, which gives the IT complete admin rights without having to be physically present in front of the device. It also allows additional policies and scripts to be run on the computer.
The user requires a third-party mobile device management solution to take full advantage of advanced Mac Management as agent-based Mac management extends beyond the built-in MDM.
How does Mac Management work across the device lifecycle?
To build a successful Mac environment in an organization, it is important to understand, manage and support the complete life cycle of Mac Management There are crucial elements to understand to manage the entire lifecycle of macOS computers. These are:
- Deployment and Provisioning – before they can be deployed to the end-users, the Macs have to be enrolled with an Apple device management solution. There are two different ways to achieve this, they are – automated enrolment and zero-touch deployment
- Configuration Management – next comes configuration and integration. The configurations can be implemented to an individual or group devices based on the needs of the users
- App management – a very important aspect of managing Mac computers is app management which is used to facilitate software deployment, patching, and reporting
- Inventory Management – for the successful management of any device, it is compulsory to maintain clear and comprehensive reports. Therefore data must be collected at different levels and customer reports must be built for storing and structuring relevant information
- Security – to manage and assist security from the admin level, these are few of the recommended methods for the protection of the Mac:
- Passcode Policies
- Firewall Settings
- Web Content Filtering
- Conditional Access
- FileVault
- OS Updates
- Remote Wipe
- User empowerment – for good device management, a helpful quality is end-user empowerment. Users must be provided with self-help tools when they require simpler resources and services.
How does MDM Management for Mac help IT administrators and end-users?
For IT admins, there are many benefits of using an efficient Apple device management solution such reducing the costs of support without compromising efficiency, managing Macs remotely from a single web portal, integrating with directory services, automating unessential IT functions such as password policy, and device restrictions are some of the important ones. Similarly, using the right MDM to manage Macs also helps employees.