Enterprises increasingly leverage an array of devices to optimize productivity and meet the varied needs of their workforce. This blend typically includes a mix of Mac and Windows systems, reflecting the spectrum of user preferences and organizational requirements.
Mixed-platform environments can be an IT logistical nightmare. A dual-solution mobile device management (MDM) set-up utilizing Intune and Jamf is considered best practice for maximizing operating system coverage, but requires technical expertise for set-up and ongoing management. Many IT professionals have in-depth experience with one solution or another but not both, which can lead to extended migrations or reliance on out-of-the-box solutions with limited functionality.
Below we’ve included an overview of what mobile device management (MDM) is, nuances of a Intune/Jamf dual-solution set-up, and high-level set-up considerations. We’ve highlighted how Zip Security simplifies MDM deployment and migration, making the best-in-class dual set-up accessible to businesses of all sizes. Zip’s direct integration allows for improved visibility and management workflows, and our customer support team extends the reach and expertise of internal IT teams.
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Mobile device management (MDM) is a methodology and toolset that provides enterprises with the ability to oversee, control, and secure devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones within an organization’s network. Device management is an important component of risk management and mitigation for an organization, enabling administrators to perform a variety of tasks including:
Cybersecurity is notoriously fragmented, and MDM is no exception with 140 listings on G2, a prominent tech peer-to-peer review site and marketplace. There are currently no single-pane-of-glass solutions that provide a seamless management experience across both Windows and Mac operating systems.. This has led most businesses with mixed environments to opt for a dual-solution set-up of industry-leaders Intune (for Windows devices) and Jamf (for Macs).
For Macs, Jamf is the most powerful MDM available. It has tons of fine-grained controls, a powerful API, and automated remediation with sub-minute response times. It offers zero-touch provisioning through Apple Business Manager.
On the Windows side, Microsoft’s Intune offers direct integration into the Microsoft stack. It offers the best collection of ready to use configurations through its settings catalog, providing flexibility and control over device configurations. Integration with Autopilot allows for zero-touch provisioning for new devices.
As previously mentioned, there are many platforms who tout the promise of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), including Microsoft Intune. However, even when a single platform provides agents for multiple platforms, the management experience is still bifurcated by platform to accommodate each platform’s uniqueness. This has left the promise of UEMs unfulfilled, and leaves users without an improved management experience, and still with less powerful solutions than best-in-class alternatives.
Both Jamf and Intune have steep learning curves when it comes to implementation and management, which can make it difficult for companies with small IT teams. For organizations with the resources to support onboarding and ongoing management, we recommend creating a project tracker with timelines and milestones to help keep teams moving forward. For support or help with questions that arise during implementation, we recommend a few resources: Jamf Nation Community, Mac Admins Slack workspace, Microsoft Intune Support Hub, and product specific subReddits like r/intune, r/jamf, and r/sysadmins.
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For companies without in-house expertise or bandwidth, Zip Security can help. Our platform makes it easy for users to onboard and deploy MDM solutions. We are able to get clients up and running within two weeks of contracting. Our software and customer success team handle the bulk of onboarding, with about 4 hours of meeting and follow-up work required on the client side. Our software builds on top of MDM solutions, eliminating the need for a technical background to set-up or manage.
Utilizing an MDM solution alongside an identity provider like Google Suite can unlock additional functionality and benefit. For example, Zip’s platform integrates MDMs and IdPs to create a user-first approach to device management, simplifying tasks like onboarding and offboarding employees. It also provides a clear view of the set of devices people are using to access corporate data, improving transparency and control.
Zip Security is an all-in-one cybersecurity and IT platform that ensures corporate assets are secure by default. Its easy-to-use platform eliminates the need for technical expertise - employee onboarding, antivirus deployment, setting configuration and more takes seconds thanks to platform automations.
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Because we’re a software company, our solution costs a fraction of the price of similar services like MSPs. Get started with Zip today.
