IBM Rolls Out Enterprise Mac Services for Corporate IT

IBM is helping invite Macs to the enterprise party. Its new cloud-based IT services help quickly and securely integrate Apple's Mac computers at scale with enterprise systems and applications. IBM has provided these services on a custom basis but is now commercializing the service through IBM MobileFire Managed Mobility Services.

More companies are adopting or allowing the use of Macs by employees, and Macs have outgrown the PC industry every year for the last decade, according to IBM. The service also supports a mix of PC and Macs and also helps the enterprise extend to other iOS devices like iPads and iPhones.

While Macs have seen a ton of commercial usage, its enterprise game is nowhere near as strong. However, the cordoned-off, vanilla enterprise is on its way out with more devices and platforms coming into the mix. Sometimes this occurs outside of policy, and it can be an integration nightmare for the IT organization.

Mobility services has been a major focal point for IBM in order to help evolve enterprise security approaches beyond the traditional enterprise walls and for the hyperconnected but heterogeneous world.

The service could boost enterprise Mac usage by simple virtue of making it easy to use Macs in a business setting. The service allows clients to order Macs and have them delivered directly to employees without additional setup, imaging or configuration. Employees have quick and easy secure access to connect to email and download business applications.

IBM gained experience through its internal Mac@IBM program, which saw the company distributing Macs to employees around the globe while keeping it a secure enterprise environment. An Apple partnership presented an opportunity for a commercialized offering, according to the company.

The service features the Casper Suite from JAMF and IBM’s enterprise integration and support services.

“Today’s announcement is a powerful testament to the growing demand for Apple technology in the enterprise and to the strong relationship between IBM and JAMF to help organizations inventory, deploy and secure their Apple devices,” said Dean Hager, CEO, JAMF Software, in a press release.

IBM can now help support customers with diverse systems across Windows, Linux, AIX, zOS, iOS, Android, and now also OS X.