Managing your business’s transition to Apple devices: lessons from an expert MSP

Steven Freidkin, CEO of Ntiva, an MSP providing IT services, cybersecurity services and IT consulting, believes that many businesses still hesitate to move toward MacOS devices given the lack of available support to maintain the systems or fix them something goes wrong. He advises on the best system for your company, addresses concerns regarding a transition, and shares his own insight on the move to an Apple-based IT system.

Chances are, many workers in America already use at least one Apple device to do at least part of their work. The iPhone has been the best-selling smartphone in the US almost since its launch in 2007. Meanwhile, the iPad is arguably the go-to tablet for the average consumer, and as such, it took the leading role in many corporate use cases. 

Yet, many companies are not ready to make the best of them. Since the enterprise technology market still heavily skews towards Windows PC environments, most companies are too entangled in a Windows ecosystem. Also, the upfront costs for computing are lower for PCs than for Apple devices, and the transition towards supporting a hybrid Apple-PC environment has costs and challenges that IT managers need to consider.

However, in practice, most businesses are already immersed in a mixed world. For example, the bring your own device (BYOD) trend meant that enterprise technology managers had to provide support for Macs and iPads owned by users in a concise time. And the shift to work-from-home brought about by the pandemic means that corporate users will resort to the device they prefer to use to do their work — and it is predictable that many of them will opt for Macs.

For enterprise technology managers, this reality brings challenges and concerns of its own. Coming from a PC-standard legacy, many enterprises are not really prepared to manage Macs, and they end up shoehorning Windows-based standards and practices. 

Businesses that do not proactively manage Apple devices are not taking advantage of the integration possibilities between Mac OS and iOS. As a result, they are missing out on smoother workflows between mobile devices and computers and faster and simpler development and deployment efforts since Apple-Silicon-based Macs are now capable of running iOS apps.

Common Challenges When Transitioning to Apple Devices 

Transitioning to manage Macs, iPhones and iPads poses plenty of challenges for IT operations. First, Apple tends to have tighter control of its certified service providers than the PC world, where the hardware and software vendors are different. Therefore, procuring and servicing Apple devices introduces a learning curve for IT departments that should be considered.

Second, the costs of adapting legacy services and infrastructure to an Apple-based environment should be a part of the calculation. As the transition from Intel-based to Apple-Silicon-based devices makes it likely that compatibility issues with PC-based software will increase —a factor the decision to move into supporting Macs should weigh. 

Third, the cybersecurity challenges in the Apple world are a growing issue. Long gone are the days when Macs were considered more secure than Windows PCs. As they became popular, the incentive for cybercriminals multiplied to find and exploit security weaknesses on them. Most risk factors for hacks and other security breaches are still device-agnostic — in other words, the user remains the leading risk factor.  

Fourth, some companies might have a more difficult transition than others, mainly if they rely on mission-critical Windows-only software. Also, in industries and environments where BYOD is not viable, the pressure for supporting Apple devices might not be as high. 

Overcoming The Challenges 

So how do you solve these concerns and make the most of Apple devices in the enterprise? First, companies should know they will be better served with an Apple-certified service provider that helps them procure and administer their devices and apps; and that they will need to use Apple-owned business account managers and device managers. 

Also, companies should consider recruiting an Apple-certified MSP while transitioning, as it can ease the process and minimize the risk of potential compatibility and security issues. In addition, an MSP can help train existing IT teams to understand and better manage the Apple ecosystem, and in some cases, take charge of the entire IT support operation.

Cybersecurity is another factor that must not be overlooked. When organizations apply security solutions that have been designed for Windows ecosystems to Apple operating systems, they will often fall short. To overcome this, businesses need to invest in Apple Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools with out-of-the-box connectivity with Apple Business Manager.   

When making the switch to Apple, the payoff can be significant. Research shows that allowing enterprise users to use Apple devices for work improves productivity, performance, and employee loyalty, particularly among millennials who value choice with the hardware they use for work. A study by PwC says that 59% consider access to state-of-the-art technology as a factor for deciding on taking a job, while 78% say the choice of using the technology they like, instead of the one that is IT-mandated, makes them more effective at work. 

On the IT support side, betting on an Apple environment can also pay off. Research from IBM says Apple devices reduce management costs: Mac users generate fewer tickets, and fewer engineers can manage more devices when compared with Windows computers. 

In sum, Apple supporters claim implementing Macs and iOS devices in the enterprise generates an ROI that offsets the higher initial costs. And many enterprises are already making the switch. Apple says every Fortune 500 company uses its devices, and, by some estimations, 55% of businesses in the US now use or allow their employees to use Macs.

READ MORE:

Should every company take the step? While every case is unique, it is safe to assume that many enterprises already have the challenge to support and secure Apple devices, whether they provide them to their employees or not. For IT managers, it is a matter of assimilating reality and taking advantage of the opportunity.

For more news from Top Business Tech, don’t forget to subscribe to our daily bulletin!

Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter

Amber Donovan-Stevens

Amber is a Content Editor at Top Business Tech

How E-commerce Marketers Can Win Black Friday

Sue Azari • 11th November 2024

As new global eCommerce players expand their influence across both European and US markets, traditional brands are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. These fast-growing Asian platforms have gained traction by offering ultra-low prices, rapid product turnarounds, heavy investment in paid user acquisition, and leveraging viral social media trends to create demand almost in real-time. This...

Why microgrids are big news

Craig Tropea • 31st October 2024

As the world continues its march towards a greener future, businesses, communities, and individuals alike are all increasingly turning towards renewable energy sources to power their operations. What is most interesting, though, is how many of them are taking the pro-active position of researching, selecting, and implementing their preferred solutions without the assistance of traditional...

Is automation the silver bullet for customer retention?

Carter Busse • 22nd October 2024

CX innovation has accelerated rapidly since 2020, as business and consumer expectations evolved dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, finding the best way to engage and respond to customers has become a top business priority and a key business challenge. Not only do customers expect the highest standard, but companies are prioritising superb CX to...

Automated Testing Tools and Their Impact on Software Quality

Natalia Yanchii • 09th October 2024

Test automation refers to using specialized software tools and frameworks to automate the execution of test cases, thereby reducing the time and effort required for manual testing. This approach ensures that automation tests run quickly and consistently, allowing development teams to identify and resolve defects more effectively. Test automation provides greater accuracy by eliminating human...

Custom Software Development

Natalia Yanchii • 04th October 2024

There is a wide performance gap between industry-leading companies and other market players. What helps these top businesses outperform their competitors? McKinsey & Company researchers are confident that these are digital technologies and custom software solutions. Nearly 70% of the top performers develop their proprietary products to differentiate themselves from competitors and drive growth. As...

The Impact of Test Automation on Software Quality

Natalia Yanchii • 04th October 2024

Software systems have become highly complex now, with multiple interconnected components, diverse user interfaces, and business logic. To ensure quality, QA engineers thoroughly test these systems through either automated or manual testing. At Testlum, we met many software development teams who were pressured to deliver new features and updates at a faster pace. The manual...