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For years, Apple has been establishing itself as a viable alternative to traditional PCs in the enterprise space. As IT teams increasingly manage a growing number of iPhones, iPads, and Macs, Apple’s importance as an enterprise endpoint has intensified. However, I find myself questioning why Apple’s certifications for IT professionals come at a cost. If Apple aims to promote its devices within enterprises, why are they charging for the training needed to manage them?
About Apple @ Work: Bradley Chambers has overseen an enterprise IT network from 2009 to 2021. Drawing from his experience managing firewalls, switches, mobile device management systems, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, thousands of Macs, and iPads, he will emphasize strategies for Apple IT managers to deploy Apple devices, create supporting networks, train users, and share insights from real-world IT management challenges, alongside suggestions for how Apple can enhance its offerings for IT departments.
Reviewing the 2022 updates to the program
In 2022, Apple launched enhanced professional training and certification programs aimed at IT teams and support staff. The courses—Apple Device Support and Apple Deployment and Management—represent significant progress in equipping IT professionals with essential skills for success with Apple. These self-paced, online offerings are accessible to everyone and signify a much-needed modernization of Apple’s training approach.
While the training itself is free, the certification exams carry a fee of $149. For professionals seeking accreditation for both programs, that totals nearly $300. It’s hard to believe that enough candidates are taking these assessments to significantly contribute to Apple’s revenue.
Apple’s objective is to sell hardware and services, not certification fees
Apple’s business model isn’t grounded in generating revenue from certification fees; it’s focused on selling hardware and services. The enterprise demand for Macs and iPhones is rising because IT teams recognize the value of deploying Apple devices, not merely because someone has an Apple certification. Certification programs enhance Apple’s presence by ensuring that IT professionals can effectively deploy and troubleshoot its devices.
If Apple’s primary aim is to broaden its presence in the enterprise sector, charging for certifications seems illogical. By eliminating fees for certification exams, Apple would eliminate a barrier for professionals across various organizations and managed service providers. This change would incentivize IT professionals to pursue certification, thereby enlarging the pool of Apple-trained specialists.
Vendor-specific training and certifications should be made free
Apple isn’t the sole company doing this. Many technology vendors still impose fees for certification exams, viewing them as a potential revenue source instead of an investment in their ecosystems. However, certifications should not be treated as products for sale; they are pathways to customer adoption. The more professionals who are familiar with deploying and managing your offerings, the better the outcome.
Apple’s training initiatives are a positive step, and now it’s time for them to advance even further. By offering free certification exams, Apple can continue to empower IT teams, enhance its enterprise presence, and eliminate unnecessary obstacles for those who support its devices daily.
My recommendation is straightforward: If Apple aims to further its influence in the enterprise sector, its certifications should support that aim rather than serve as a profit avenue.
Apple @ Work is exclusively provided by Mosyle, the sole Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle offers a comprehensive solution combining all the necessary tools for the seamless and automatic deployment, management, and protection of Apple devices in the workplace. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to ensure millions of Apple devices are ready for work effortlessly and at a reasonable price.Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today to see why Mosyle is the one-stop solution for working with Apple.
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