How to Deploy Apple in your Business

Apple Business Manager is a simple, web-based portal that lets IT administrators deploy iPad and Mac in their business. You can easily provide staff with access to Apple services, set up devices, get apps and books, and enable staff with tools to create engaging customer experiences – all from one place.

And now with Microsoft Azure Active Directory support, it’s easier than ever to integrate iPad and Mac into your existing environment and provide your staff with access to key Apple services.

If your business doesn’t have an Apple Business Manager account, you can sign up here for free.

Apple Volume Purchasing (formerly known as the Volume Purchasing Programme, or VPP) allows organisations to bulk-buy copies of apps and books through Apple Business Manager.

These can then be distributed to staff devices via your businesses Mobile Device Management system. App licences can then be revoked and re-distributed to other members of staff as required.

Apple Device Enrolment (formerly known as the Device Enrolment programme, or DEP) is an powerful and incredible deployment tool.

Through the Device Enrolment process, a ‘trust’ is created, tying your device serial numbers to your business. From this point on, you have a much greater control of how your Apple devices work.

Whenever one of your Apple devices is turned on for the first time, and connected to the internet, it will automatically check in with your Apple Business Manager account for instructions. For example, this could include instructions to auto-enrol itself in to your Mobile Device Management system for configuration (i.e. Zero Touch deployment).

Device Enrolment can help you both streamline your Apple deployment process, as well as adding an additional layer of security to it.

A Mobile Device Management (MDM) system is a tool that can be used to wirelessly manage your Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Using an MDM, you can do things like wirelessly push the Outlook app to all members of staff, stop employees from downloading their own apps to a work iPad, and even push out Apple updates.

In short, it means you can manage all of your devices from one place… Any organisation deploying Apple devices should look to utilise a MDM system. Examples of MDM solutions include Jamf Pro.

A ‘zero touch deployment’ is a way of deploying Apple devices without your technical team having to actually touch any of the technology.

It allows you to keep your iPad, iPhone, or Mac sealed in its box. When the end user opens their new device and connects it to a wireless network, the device will auto-configure itself, based on the pre-set config defined by your technical team.

Therefore, the technical team have deployed and configured technology to your staff without having ‘touched’ the device – hence the term ‘zero touch’ deployment.

Zero touch deployments are achieved using a combination of MDM and Apple Device Enrolment.

A ‘managed Apple ID’ is a special kind of Apple ID, which can be created in Apple Business Manager. These can be created for employees, and have a series of benefits giving greater control for businesses.