A is for?
You don’t need to be in kindergarten to answer the question. Apple, and not the fruit, is embodied in our technology-driven world, both work and play. Historically, Apple devices have been associated with consumers and not enterprise, with PCs wearing the business crown. However, the days of Macs being reserved solely for the creative industry are long gone. With tech competitors such as Microsoft and Apple now working together, there has been a convergence of mind-sets in the business IT market. Nowadays, it’s straightforward to operate PCs and Macs on the same network, share files and not have compatibility issues. Whether you choose Mac or PC for your small to medium-size business (SMB), it’s not all or nothing.
In this report, you have the opportunity to consider current Apple products and explore the advantages of Mac and iOS over PC and Android technologies. Furthermore, you’ll take a look at the extent to which Apple has infiltrated enterprise and its impact on BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) practice. Should you decide that the time is ripe for including Macs in your IT infrastructure, you can review the process of Apple migration for your SMB. Important as well is to examine the Mac support you can outsource to your local Managed Services Provider (MSP). In the end, you’ll see that your decision to buy or rent a MacBook won’t hinge on product image, but rather a sound business solution to provide your SMB with technology that works.
What’s on the market?
“Our products are built to be the best for business.” No prizes for guessing which site is the origin of the quote. Apple is proud of the quality akin to its products. The company boldly claims that the iPhone, iPad and iMac are designed to facilitate productivity, collaboration and effective problem-solving. Apple also emphasises ‘simplicity of use’ of its technology and this is confirmed by Nick Daines, a consultant from Lumen PR, a technology marketing and communications consultancy: “The user experience is better. Apple has become known for making its products simple and enjoyable to use.”
For Apple, accessibility, quality and versatility seem to be the name of the game. Without looking at specifications in detail, spend time taking in the latest that the Cupertino-based giant has to offer by way of Mac, iPad and iPhone.
Apple iMac
As with PCs, Macs are available as desktops or laptops. Ranging in price from around £1,000 to £1,800, the iMac is Apple’s desktop equivalent. Screen size is either 21 or 27 inches, with varying high resolution depending on the model. iMacs have either Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and substantial hard drives, either 1TB Fusion Drive or 256GB to 2TB SSD. At the top of the range is the iMac Pro, which will cost you close to £5,000 per piece. Maybe worth considering only if your ship has well and truly come in. However, with the price tag comes unprecedented 5K resolution, an 18-core Intel Xeon processor and an enormous hard drive of 4TB SSD.
Apple’s laptops, or MacBooks, may not suit most pockets, with MacBook Air at £950 to the flagship MacBook Pro coming in at £2,400. Monitor displays are in the range 12 to 15 inches and processors are either Intel Core i5 or i7. Depending on how much you are willing to fork out, you get hard drive space from 512GB to 2TB SSD.
Apple iPad
The story behind the invention of the iPad is an amusing one. At a dinner attended by Steve Jobs and a boastful Microsoft employee, the Microsofter relentlessly bragged how his company was about to release a tablet PC that would eliminate all notebook computers. Jobs was so annoyed that the next morning he gathered his team and said, “ I want to make a tablet, and it can’t have a keyboard or a stylus.” Thanks to Microsoft, the iPad was born shortly afterwards and as of December 2017 in excess of 350 million units have been sold worldwide.
Back to what is currently available in the iPad range: there is a basic tablet, ‘Flat-out fun’ as it is termed on the Apple website starting at £340. Next up is the iPad Mini at £419 for a super thin, super light experience. For the iPad Pro, you’ll be reaching deep into your pockets to cover the minimum £620 for the device. All iPads operate on the iOS 11 mobile operating system, have standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, a FaceTime HD camera and access to millions of online apps. In the BYOD age, the iPad with its portability and access to files in almost any format is becoming commonplace in the SMB environment.
Apple iPhone
The iPhone is, in fact, a derivative of the iPad. Simply put, Apple took the iPad design and shrunk it into a mobile phone. At the top of the range is the new iPhone X which has Face ID for unsurpassed security. Besides that, there’s not too much to add about the iPhone since almost everybody has one.
iMac, iPad and iPhone all work together
Hundreds of millions of Apple products aren’t sold just because people like the hardware. Sure, that is an enormous part of it, but a fundamental reason is the consumer-friendly technological ecosystem that has evolved from the company. All this means is that Apple has strategically managed the way different devices interact with one another. Whether you are using your iMac Pro or iPhone X, your photos are available across both devices; you can use iMessage and FaceTime on both. Added to this, Siri, an intelligent personal assistant, is integral to the iOS and MacOS and becomes a familiar voice irrespective of the Apple device you are using.
For better or worse, the competition has been unable to match Apple’s performance at constructing a tech ecosystem that customers and enterprise have bought into. Google, for example, is making parallel moves to integrate products such as Google Home and the Pixel smartphone. However, Google relies on its partners to build and maintain its product ecosystem which becomes a nightmare for device owners. Ponder this for a moment: How does the owner of an LG Android phone know which smart home products it works with? Who do you turn to for IoT (Internet of Things) support – Google, LG or another vendor? In the Apple IoT network, devices all work together underpinned by reliable, tested and similar software.
Advantages of Apple technology
If you’re not an ‘i’ fan, you may still be wiping the sweat from your brow after mulling over the seemingly exorbitant prices attached to Apple products. However, the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ applies here. If you compare a powerful MacBook Pro with a Dell PC of similar specification, there isn’t much difference in terms of software and functionality. However, you’ll immediately save £500 by opting for Dell technology. If you need to purchase some entry-level PCs, you’ll be looking at £300 or less. Only in your dreams could you get an iMac or MacBook for that.
The upside is that Apple computers rank consistently well for build quality and reliability. You are more likely to upgrade or replace your PCs than your iMacs and the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an Apple computer is considerably less than a business-class PC. So if you think beyond the initial shock of the price tag, purchasing Apple hardware is a sound long-term investment for your IT infrastructure.
Besides a quality build, there are several other advantages that iMacs and MacBooks have over there PC counterparts. For instance, Macs are more secure out of the box than PCs. Also, they can be managed at scale so when your SMB expectedly grows, you can seamlessly expand your Mac network without developing any grey hairs. Macs also provide an operational recovery option that an all-Windows environment does not. The bottom line is that Macs do what most people in business need although there may be certain critical and advanced corporate requirements that can only be met through using Windows applications.
Mac security, backup and recovery tools
SMBs and large corporations alike expend vast amounts of money and time securing Windows PCs, ranging from antivirus and malware updates to emergency patching and backups. Gartner Inc., a Connecticut-based IT research and advisory firm, estimates that organisations spend £2000 per user per year to manage and secure their Windows PCs. The good news for Macs is that management tools cost the same or less, depending on the approach you take. The more ‘Windows-like’ your device management strategy is, the more it will cost to manage your Macs.
Virtualisation and cloud computing are becoming familiar technologies that are increasingly gaining trust in the business world. As more corporate data moves to cloud services such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services, data and file backup is becoming less critical. However, automated backup is native to OS X. Using the Time Machine tool, you can backup to a dedicated drive for each Mac or to a departmental server. Try that in Windows for a laugh.
Apple’s automated backup is unique in that it creates a fully stable image that you can install to another Mac. This means you can get a user up and running in no time and suffer minimal downtime. Also, your IT engineers will find it easy to recover a Mac. By contrast, recovering a Windows PC is time-consuming and complex.
Macs and malware
Malware has become a thorn in the side for both company IT departments and users. In a Windows environment, malware is common with variants popping up hourly, so much so that incidents don’t make the news anymore. On the other hand, you’ll hear of IT geeks still lamenting a Mac Trojan from years gone by that affected a few thousand users.
The solution: if you’re concerned about malware, use Mac. Until that day that cybercriminals figure out how to bypass the OS X native security, the Mac is by far the safer platform. Plus, you get daily support from Apple whereby antimalware signatures are updated. The long and the short of this is that you don’t need antimalware software on a Mac. Move saving and less stress.
Apple works for BYOD
BYOD or Bring-Your-Own-Device is not a trend. People feel comfortable and empowered by the technology they use and love so it is no surprise that personal devices are now used for business more than ever. Whether somebody is using an iPhone, iPad or MacBook – or all three – the fact that these technologies are integrated and support each other means they are a BYOD best fit.
According to Cisco’s BYOD report, 90% of Americans use their iPhones for work. The International Data Corporation (IDC) confirms that iPads hold 78% of the enterprise market share. A survey conducted by Dimensional Research concludes that nine out of 10 IT professionals support Apple devices. The human choice is a prevalent factor influencing Apple’s move into the workplace. User preference is cited as the top reason for Apple’s BYOD achievements while only half the number of companies state higher productivity as a motivational reason. What is the secret to Apple’s success? Simply put, people love Apple products, and executives are people.
Apple’s state of play in enterprise
Results from a survey conducted by Jamf Software, an Apple IT management firm, conclude that Apple is on the cusp of attaining a market command that it has not held for more than 20 years. Sales of Macs have increased almost exponentially since 2006, particularly in the last seven years. Apple grew its sales from 13.6 million units in 2010 to 18.5 million in 2016. Along with those sales figures is a stable and growing source of revenue for the company.
The Jamf survey also revealed that in excess of 90% of American companies now support Apple. It is evident that enterprises acknowledge the increased deployment of Apple’s platforms within their business. Of the IT professionals surveyed, 64% claimed that Mac is “easier to manage than other computer platforms.” An even greater number, around 75% of respondents, stated that the iPad and iPhone are “easier to manage than other mobile platforms.”
Apple’s halo effect
Apple’s penetration into enterprise can thank the so-called ‘halo effect’. Simply put, the halo effect is when consumers show bias towards a product following a favourable experience with another product produced by the same manufacturer. The effect started with iPhones, which then catalysed the adoption of iPad and soon after Mac computers established a solid foothold in businesses.
It’s not only SMBs that are taking a liking to Mac. Large corporations, including Google, Facebook and IBM have all taken Apple on board without reservation. Take a moment to consider these statistics that show how corporate giants are leveraging Apple products:
- Google has more than 50,000 Macs company-wide and is considered to be the largest global corporate stakeholder of these machines. Some employees are permitted the use of Chromebooks, but devices using OS X are the preferred option.
- The world’s largest social media network can’t live without its Macs. Facebook has approximately 20,000 MacBooks deployed across its workforce. Efficient customer service is part of Facebook’s reason for the adoption of Apple. It needs to ensure that its news feeds, Messenger services and other features work as well on Apple iOS than they do on Android or Windows platforms.
- IBM is Apple’s largest corporate customer with in excess of 100,000 Macs deployed. IBM is also Apple’s primary partner in selling devices to large businesses. The company now lets employees decide whether to use PCs or Macs and the response has been overwhelming with 75% of IBMers claiming they would like a Mac as there next computer. IBM also states that PCs are responsible for twice as many support tickets as Macs.
The halo effect in industry
The current trend in the adoption of Apple products may be limited to companies. However, it is likely that it will expand to encompass entire industries due since Macs have a longer lifecycle management, better security and the unique ability to run Windows and Mac software on the same computer.
The hospitality industry is one sector that has taken full advantage of what Apple has to offer. Thousands of hotels in Europe and the United States are using Macs to provide a smooth experience for guests and staff. Mac-based systems are deployed to monitor reservations, check-in and check-out and digital signage. A VP of Hyatt Hotels for North America Operations has noted: “Our guests appreciate the ability to check email, surf the web and print their documents right in the lobby where they can also socialise with colleagues and friends and order food and drink.”
Businesses are choosing Macs for their enhanced reliability, software compatibility and ease of use, and probably a host of other company- and industry-specific reasons. When you and your SMB executives decide to go for Mac, you don’t need to go it alone. Your local Managed Service Provider (MSP) who specialises in the deployment of Apple hardware and software will provide comprehensive guidance and support to help you navigate the best Apple solution for your enterprise.
Migration to Apple
So you’re ready to make the move to Apple but are not sure where to start. You could ask your in-house engineers to conduct an IT infrastructure audit and determine the best approach for Apple migration and how to integrate the new technologies into your existing network and systems. But your IT employees are probably stretched as it is. An effective means of assessing your Apple needs is to outsource to an MSP who has the experience and expertise to provide the best solution for your requirements. Moreover, the MSP will provide a custom-made package for your SMB that encompasses budgetary constraints, projected IT expansion, BYOD policy and compatibility of Apple products with other operating systems in use.
MSPs for Apple adoption strategy
The MSP will comprehensively assess your IT infrastructure needs and produce a sound and deliverable plan for your business with respect to Apple migration. By consulting with your management team and IT engineers, the MSP will:
- determine the number of Apple devices best suited to your IT needs
- recommend whether you should opt for iMacs or MacBooks or both
- decide on the best strategies for mac hire or rental
- decide whether long-term mac leasing has a viable ROI
- examine BYOD in your company and suggest how the practice can be streamlined for Apple
- suggest vendors who can supply Apple products at competitive rates
- facilitate both hardware and software acquisition that you need for Apple migration
- design bespoke, secure and scalable systems for your Apple products.
MSPs for Apple integration
Once you have considered all available options suggested by the MSP for your Apple integration, it’ll be time to take action. Most companies access a combination of different tools, systems and mechanisms to integrate Macs into their IT environment. Similar to PC and mobile device installation and support, managing the incorporation of Macs into your network all adds up to some fundamental tasks that the MSP will handle:
- effectively configure and deploy new Macs
- repurpose existing Apple technologies should you have them
- install and manage software of Macs that are in active use
- install software updates from Apple and third-party developers
- enforce client management by providing secure login and user management on each Mac
- integrate Macs with your key enterprise systems
- ensure that Wi-Fi and VPN access is optimised for your new Apple technology
- configure your Macs to operate in internal and external cloud environments
- manage your Mac inventory
- ensure that existing Apple BYOD devices are correctly configured for your infrastructure
- provide 24/7 ongoing remote troubleshooting and support
These tasks are needed for any device which users access in an SMB or corporation. While the tasks are uniform, the tools required to carry them out are platform specific. The skills and knowledge required about how these tasks are performed with respect to Macs versus PCs are also specialised. Your MSP partner will use the best-fit integration and configuration tools to guarantee that your entry into the Apple world is stress-free, within budget, on schedule and well-managed.
MSPs for Apple IT support
Your Macs have been successfully installed and are fully integrated into your IT infrastructure. Your BYOD employees are content and hard at work using their iPhones and iPads. To give you peace of mind, you’ll need professional and ongoing support for you Mac systems as part of your business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) plans. Again, the MSP will readily lend a helping hand by providing Apple monitoring and maintenance services tailored to the needs of your network. A reliable and trustworthy MSP will:
- provide support from 10 to 500+ Mac users
- apply a direct-to-engineer model and a 24×7 Helpdesk
- use proactive monitoring and automation
- offer scalable support matching the growth of your company
- recommend changing to the latest Apple hardware when appropriate
- offer real-time system checks and security
- tender fixed-price contracts and SLA
- ensure that BYOD devices are secure
- provide software and hardware upgrades when appropriate
The MSPs approach is a preventative one. MSP engineers, all equipped with their own Macs, will proactively work with your in-house IT to ensure that your Mac systems are optimised, stable and secure. The MSP will offer the full gambit of Mac technical support with close to zero minutes response, automatic ticket support and bespoke solutions. This means you can focus on what you do well – operating your business productively and profitably.
