Here's what you need to know about Apple Business Manager

Apple have launched Apple Business Manager, a new initiative designed to help businesses streamline the management of their Apple devices and apps, using a simplified interface that makes things easier for less technical users. But who is it for, and how do you get started? We asked our Apple team to explain…

By Liz Sunter September 12, 2018

*Updated 19th June, Important – Upgrade your organisation to Apple Business Manager by 1st December 2019

If you currently use the Device Enrolment Program (DEP) or Volume Purchase Programme (VPP), you need to upgrade to Apple Business Manager for free by 1st December 2019 to continue using Apple's deployment programmes. If you only use VPP, you can enrol in Apple Business Manager and then invite existing VPP purchasers to your new Apple Business Manager account. 

What is Apple Business Manager?

Apple Business Manager is a new system that combines two previous initiatives: the Device Enrolment Programme (DEP) and Volume Purchase Programme (VPP).

What were they, again?

DEP links your device management software to Apple’s servers, and automatically deploys the correct settings and permissions to any new device as soon as it’s turned on for the first time. VPP allows you to bulk purchase apps and deploy them to users in your business, without them having to buy the app on their own Apple ID.

Why are things changing?

With Apple Business Manager, you’ll be able to manage enrolment and purchasing in one place, using a simple web interface. This should save your IT team time and effort, and make sure you can get new users set up as quickly as possible. Apple Business Manager also works more closely with your device management software than previous solutions, making the ongoing management of your devices easier, and allowing you to more easily configure new profiles for different classes of user.

How will this affect me?

If you’re the system admin in charge of your company’s Apple estate management, you’re advised to move over to Apple Business Manager as soon as possible. If you’re not sure what a system admin is, maybe forward this link to your IT department instead.

Do I have to move all my current estate over to ABM, or can I keep older devices on DEP?

Once you upgrade to Apple Business Manager, the new system will be able to see all the relevant data about your organisation’s devices, and you’ll be able to use it in the same way you would DEP. However, you’ll lose access to the current DEP website, and will need to use the Apple Business Manager portal instead.

Is the upgrade expensive?

Nope. It’s completely free, in fact.

How do I upgrade?

You (or the relevant member of your team) need to sign in to deploy.apple.com or business.apple.com using your Apple Deployment Programmes Agent account, then follow the instructions. It should only take a few minutes.

I’m not using DEP at the moment. Can I enrol in Apple Business Manager?

Yep. Just send your system admin over to business.apple.com, and get them to follow the steps there.

…why am I being asked for my company website?

Apple Business Manager uses the website you enter as the default domain for your Managed Apple IDs. For example, if your website was www.Jigsaw24.com, your Managed Apple IDs will look like manager@Jigsaw24.com.

If your website domain is different from your email domain, you might prefer to enter your email domain instead. The Apple Business Manager Administrator for your team can change the default domain after upgrading.

Are there any other changes?

Some admin roles have been renamed, so the people who manage your devices and purchases (formerly ‘DEP Admins’ and ‘VPP Admins’) will have to get used to a new title. You can see the full list of changes here.

Can you help us with the move?

Absolutely. We’ve been working with Apple devices in every possible environment for over 25 years, and know the hardware and the systems behind it inside out. We can help you make the move, take over the admin of your devices if you don’t have the time or expertise to handle it in-house, and help you put together a roadmap for your future rollouts, so end users always have the best possible experience. No matter what combination of iOS, macOS and other operating systems your estate currently runs on, we can help you streamline its management, and provide support for your technical teams and end users.

Want to know more? Fill in the form below, or get in touch with the team on 03332 409 306 or at enterprise@Jigsaw24.com. For the latest Apple news, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.