Apple @ Work is proudly presented by Mosyle, the sole Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates all the essential elements needed to effortlessly and automatically deploy, manage, and protect Apple devices in the workplace. With over 45,000 organizations relying on Mosyle, millions of Apple devices are made work-ready seamlessly and cost-effectively. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and discover why Mosyle is everything you need for working with Apple.
Prior to the iPad, Apple achieved significant success in K-12 education, primarily focusing on cart-based learning with MacBooks. Although some schools implemented 1:1 programs, the arrival of the iPad at a price of $499 ignited the mobility revolution. The iPad quickly became a favorite among students and educators, yet the challenge of managing iPads on a large scale proved to be a daunting task for IT departments.
About Apple @ Work: Bradley Chambers oversaw an enterprise IT network from 2009 to 2021. Drawing on his experience in deploying and managing firewalls, switches, mobile device management systems, enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, thousands of Macs, and iPads, Bradley will share insights on how Apple IT managers deploy Apple devices, establish supporting networks, train users, recount experiences from the field of IT management, and suggest enhancements for Apple products aimed at IT departments.
The management infrastructure for Apple devices became a focal point during this initial turmoil. In certain respects, Apple was uncertain about what to develop until they observed how the devices were utilized. During this period, the iPhone was on the rise but still in its nascent stage, and the App Store was just starting to expand. In 2011, Apple introduced the Volume Purchase Program (VPP) to facilitate bulk app purchasing and distribution in schools. While theoretically transformative, it functioned effectively only for smaller deployments.
The installation process for applications was cumbersome, forcing IT teams to distribute codes from a spreadsheet to load them onto devices. It was technically possible to purchase a single copy of an app through iTunes and install it on numerous devices. Yes, we were bulk-syncing devices via iTunes, and yes, it was as excruciating as it sounds. Upgrading iOS was an absolute headache and could take days or even weeks. Keep in mind that there were no over-the-air updates at that time.
In 2012, Apple made another significant leap with the launch of Apple Configurator. This macOS application enabled IT admins to configure multiple iPads simultaneously, simplifying tasks such as app installation, setting restrictions, and managing profiles. While apps were still acquired in bulk through the VPP store, the initial code to redeem the app would be taken from iTunes and subsequently loaded along with the spreadsheet into Apple Configurator. Yes, it was just as unwieldy as it sounds, and I had to submit many support tickets because some purchases marked the initial code as redeemed, rendering it unusable.
Though it wasn’t the ideal solution for large-scale deployments compared to contemporary options, Apple Configurator proved invaluable for smaller educational institutions or specific configurations. Setting up devices in bulk was significantly quicker than the iTunes method.
The Next Steps
This period marked a crucial decision point for Apple: to overhaul everything for a world where users were constantly engaged with Apple devices or to continue along the existing path. Acknowledging the demand for a more robust solution, Apple dedicated the subsequent years to refining its device management approach from the basics. In 2014, the introduction of the Device Enrollment Program (DEP) represented a major advancement, allowing schools and businesses to automate the setup of iPads and Macs, ensuring they were immediately enrolled in a device management system based on the serial number.
In the following years, Apple enhanced its enterprise tools by adding features like Managed ‘Open In,’ new macOS device management commands, User Enrollment, and broader configuration profile settings.
By 2018, Apple had firmly established its vision for device management with the introduction of Apple School Manager and Apple Business Manager. This platform combined the features of VPP and DEP into a single interface, simplifying the management of devices, apps, and Apple IDs. It also addressed a significant pain point for IT teams concerning licensing. Apple School Manager allowed administrators to assign, revoke, and reassign app licenses remotely based on device needs, resolving the challenges associated with the initial VPP implementation. Previously, early over-the-air app licenses were linked to Apple/iTunes IDs, which posed difficulties for creating bulk accounts for students, teachers, or employees. Managed Apple Accounts were nonexistent at this stage.
Zero Touch and Beyond
By the end of the decade, Apple had fundamentally revamped its device management tools in progress. What had once been a source of major frustration for IT teams transformed into an efficient and trustworthy system. Apple School Manager, along with Apple Business Manager, evolved into essential platforms for overseeing devices in educational settings and enterprises.
The configuration and rollout of zero-touch deployments became straightforward. Although some technical debts remained in the underlying code (largely addressed with Declarative Device Management), all known issues were resolved. During this time, I informed countless individuals that the previous “hacks” needed to manage and deploy Apple devices at scale had largely been overcome. A well-established best practice emerged for everything.
Apple’s enterprise product and engineering teams deserve considerable credit for every iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac sold today. Without the meticulous groundwork they laid in the 2010s, Apple’s growth in enterprise revenues would not have reached its current heights.
Apple @ Work is exclusively presented by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle provides a comprehensive solution that integrates all the necessary tools to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage, and protect Apple devices in the workplace. With over 45,000 organizations relying on Mosyle, millions of Apple devices are made work-ready effortlessly and at an affordable price. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and see why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.
