Device management for Apple IT: What is Apple Business Manager?

For any company using Apple devices, Apple Business Manager (ABM) is a must to create managed Apple IDs or distribute apps and content at scale. It is the link between an Apple device management strategy and company equipment. Apple Business Manager can integrate with identity management solutions like Google Workspace, enabling employees to access Apple tools using their existing Google credentials.

Apple Business Manager (ABM) is a cloud-based platform designed to simplify the procurement, deployment, and management of Apple products in organizations, offering a unified solution that enhances control over devices and apps.

In this article, we will cover what Apple Business Manager offers, its main features, and how to get started with the tool.

What is Apple Business Manager?

Serving as a command center for Mac admins, Apple Business Manager simplifies the complexities of managing Apple devices. This web-based platform consolidates the best features of the Apple Volume Purchase Program (VPP) and the Apple Device Enrollment Program (ADE) into a cohesive system.

ABM was launched in 2013 and provides an all-in-one toolkit that allows IT admins to deploy, manage, and secure devices across an enterprise. With ABM, the focus shifts from navigating the intricacies of computer device deployment, security protocols, settings, and management to leveraging Apple’s technology to its fullest potential, empowering organizations to achieve their strategic goals with greater ease and effectiveness.

Apple Business Manager allows organizations to create and manage Apple IDs for employees, integrating with existing IT infrastructure for secure access to Apple services. This is especially beneficial in shared device scenarios and organizations utilizing identity management systems.

What are managed Apple IDs?

Managed Apple IDs are special Apple IDs created by Apple Business Manager for use in an enterprise or educational setting. They are separate from personal Apple IDs and are designed to give IT administrators control over the services and features that users can access. Managed Apple IDs can be used to access Apple services such as iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime and can be integrated with existing organization credentials.

Key benefits of Apple Business Manager

Apple Business Manager offers several key benefits to organizations, including:

• Streamlined Device Deployment: Apple Business Manager allows IT administrators to automate device enrollment and configuration, making it easy to get new devices up and running quickly. This automation reduces the time and effort required for manual setup, ensuring that devices are ready for use as soon as they are turned on.

• App Management: With Apple Business Manager, organizations can purchase and distribute apps in volume, making it easy to get the right apps to the right people. This centralized approach to app management ensures that employees have access to the tools they need to be productive while also simplifying license management and compliance.

• Account Management: Apple Business Manager provides a centralized location for managing Apple IDs, making it easy to create, manage, and assign IDs to users. This feature helps organizations control user accounts and ensures that employees have access to the necessary Apple services.

• Security and Compliance: Apple Business Manager provides a secure and compliant way to manage devices and data, with features such as encryption, passcode requirements, and remote wipe. These security measures help protect sensitive information and ensure that devices comply with organizational policies and industry standards.

Primary Apple’s business management tools

In addition to Apple Business Manager, Apple offers specialized management tools tailored to specific needs, ensuring that educational institutions and small businesses can benefit from customized solutions.

Apple School Manager

For the education sector, Apple introduces Apple School Manager, a service closely mirroring the functionalities of ABM but with enhancements to cater to educational environments. This platform goes beyond the scope of ABM by incorporating additional iCloud storage and specialized tools designed for managing school rosters.

Apple School Manager facilitates a streamlined process for educators and school IT administrators to deploy and manage Apple devices to distribute educational content and create Managed Apple IDs for students and staff, enriching the learning experience through technology.

Apple Business Essentials

Targeting the unique needs of small businesses, Apple Business Essentials appears similar to ABM at first glance, yet it offers distinct cost-based benefits. This includes enhanced support options and additional iCloud storage, among other features, tailored to support the dynamic nature of small business operations.

Unlike ABM, which is designed for larger organizations, Apple Business Essentials focuses on providing a more accessible and budget-friendly solution for managing Apple products. It is ideal for small enterprises leveraging Apple’s ecosystem for their business needs.

Key features of Apple business manager

Navigating the complexities of managing Apple devices in a distributed environment? Apple Business Manager offers a suite of features designed to streamline this process, transforming a daunting task into a manageable and efficient operation. Here’s a closer look at how ABM empowers IT administrators to take control, enhance productivity, and easily tailor the user experience.

1. Device enrollment: ABM’s device enrollment feature automates the integration of Apple devices into an organization’s management system, facilitating a seamless and automated device enrollment process. Apple Business Manager can also integrate with Google Workspace for seamless identity management, allowing employees to use their Google credentials to access Apple devices and services.

2. App license purchases: With Apple Business Manager, organizations can purchase app licenses in volume, enabling the centralized acquisition and distribution of essential applications, corporate data, and books across the workforce.

3. Roles and permissions: The user assignment feature in ABM allows IT administrators to assign specific devices and content to individuals within the organization. This personalized access approach ensures that users have access to the apps and data relevant to their roles.

4. Managed Apple IDs: ABM facilitates the creation and ongoing management of Managed Apple IDs like Microsoft Azure active directory, segregating work and personal data while granting access to necessary Apple services.

5. Managed app distribution: Enables administrators to distribute apps and books directly to users or devices, controlling digital assets and optimizing resource allocation.

6. User lifecycle management: Simplifies use and equipment onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring timely access to resources and securing data when access is no longer needed, bolstering data security and compliance.

Getting started with Apple Business Manager

Embarking on your Apple Business Manager journey is a straightforward process that unlocks a world of efficiency for managing the Apple ecosystem within your organization. Whether aiming to deploy iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple TVs, ABM serves as your centralized control panel, working in harmony with your MDM solution to automate deployment, streamline app and content distribution, and create Managed Apple IDs for your team. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the steps to access Apple Business Manager:

Step 1 - Complete the online enrollment

Begin by filling out the online enrollment form with your organization's details, including your name, phone number, and a valid D-U-N-S number. The D-U-N-S number, assigned by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), helps verify your business’s identity.

Step 2 - Email verification

You’ll need to use an email address associated with your business domain, as consumer email services won’t be accepted. This email will be linked to the initial administrator account for ABM, distinct from any personal Apple IDs or other Apple services.

Step 3 - Verification contact

Designate a verification contact who can confirm the authority of the initial site administrator. This individual will also accept the ABM terms and conditions on behalf of your organization's free service provided and assist in setting up additional administrators.

Step 4 - Approval process

After submission, Apple will review your application. This may include verification calls or emails to ensure all submitted information is accurate. Prompt responses to these inquiries will help expedite the approval process.

Step 5 - Finalization

Once approved, the verification contact will receive an email to confirm the initial administrator. This administrator will then create their Managed Apple ID and officially agree to the ABM terms, marking the completion of the enrollment process.

Simplified device enrollment with Apple Business Manager

ABM automates mobile device management integration into your organization and ensures immediate usability. This streamlined process reduces manual setup and allows for remote device configuration with essential security features and applications.

• Automating device setup: Upon activation, devices from a participating Apple-authorized reseller are auto-enrolled in your MDM solution, minimizing manual effort and enabling remote configuration. Integrating Google Workspace with Apple Business Manager can further streamline the device setup by allowing employees to use their Google credentials.

• Customizing the setup assistant: ABM allows users to customize the Setup Assistant, speeding up onboarding by showing only necessary screens and settings aligned with organizational policies.

• Leveraging supervision: Devices enrolled through ABM are placed in “Supervised” mode, which offers IT admins enhanced control and allows them to add new devices with additional security and management features not available in standard MDM solution enrollments.

• Assigning devices to MDM servers: ABM enables setting a default MDM server by device type, automating the enrollment process. Devices not directly purchased through Apple or authorized resellers can also be enrolled manually via Apple Configurator 2, integrating seamlessly into your management ecosystem.

Ensuring device management and security with DEP program

The Device Enrollment Program (DEP) is a feature of Apple Business Manager that allows IT administrators to automatically enroll devices into an MDM solution. This eliminates the need for manual device configuration and ensures that devices are properly configured and secured from the start. With DEP, organizations can ensure that devices are enrolled in an MDM solution as soon as they are turned on, making it easy to manage and secure devices.

DEP streamlines the device setup process by automating enrollment and configuration, reducing the time and effort required for manual setup. This feature ensures that devices are configured according to organizational policies and are ready for use immediately. Additionally, DEP enhances security by ensuring that devices are enrolled in an MDM solution from the moment they are activated, providing IT administrators with the tools they need to manage and secure devices effectively.

Apple Business Essentials and Certifications

Apple Business Essentials is a comprehensive subscription service that enhances the capabilities of Apple Business Manager, offering additional features tailored for small businesses. This service combines device management, 24/7 support, and iCloud storage to simplify the management of Apple devices.

Comprehensive Device Management

Apple Business Essentials includes all the features of Apple Business Manager, providing a complete solution for managing employee devices like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs.

24/7 Support and iCloud Storage

The subscription offers round-the-clock support and additional iCloud storage, ensuring that small businesses have the resources they need to operate efficiently and securely.

Designed for Small Businesses

Apple Business Essentials is specifically designed to meet the needs of small businesses, making it easier to manage employee devices and integrate seamlessly into existing workflows.

Industry-Standard Certifications

Apple maintains certifications in compliance with ISO/IEC 27001 and 27018 standards, ensuring that Apple Business Essentials meets rigorous security and privacy requirements.

Bulk-purchase apps and books with Apple Business Manager

Streamlining bulk-purchasing of apps and books, ABM offers a centralized solution for acquiring and then distributing apps and digital resources across organizations. IT admins can effortlessly buy in volume through the ABM portal, including custom apps, simplifying procurement and management.

ABM's approach to app and book licensing

Apple Business Manager (ABM) offers a cohesive solution for organizations to manage app and book licenses efficiently. By purchasing licenses directly from Apple, businesses can allocate them to employees via their managed Apple ID or device serial numbers, eliminating the need for individual App Store transactions. ABM facilitates easy license reclamation and reassignment, ensuring optimal utilization of resources. Furthermore, ABM extends its capabilities to include digital books, enabling bulk purchasing and distribution of book licenses across employee devices.

The convenience of store credit

To streamline high-volume acquisitions, ABM features the Volume Credit option, allowing businesses to prepurchase credits and redeem them for app or book licenses as needed, seamlessly integrated into the standard purchase order process.

Partitioning licenses across business locations

ABM provides a Location feature that simplifies license distribution for businesses with multiple locations. This option allows organizations to assign specific locations for apps and book licenses, ensuring balanced allocation. Each location has a Volume Purchase Program (VPP) token, facilitating straightforward license management across various sites.

Seamless Apple Device Management With GroWrk

Integrating ABM with GroWrk provides a seamless management experience for IT administrators overseeing Apple devices in their organization. GroWrk’s platform supports ABM, allowing for the centralized management of Apple devices directly from the GroWrk Dashboard.

This integration bridges the gap between Apple's robust device management capabilities and GroWrk's comprehensive IT asset management platform, offering a unified solution for deploying, monitoring, and managing Apple devices within distributed teams. Here’s a simplified guide detailing how to add Apple device management systems, specifically Macs, into the GroWrk ecosystem:

1. Configure your MDM setup: Begin by configuring your MDM setup within GroWrk. This step is crucial for unlocking advanced features like zero-touch deployment accessible through Apple's MDM protocol. Follow the on-screen instructions within the GroWrk Dashboard to complete this setup.

2. Initiate new device addition: Navigate to the “Add Devices” option in the device settings below, located at the top right corner of the GroWrk Dashboard. Select “Mac” as your operating system to add Mac devices to your management console.

3. Choose enrollment method: You are presented with two options for enrolling your Mac devices – via an MDM enrollment profile or through an agent. The dashboard will display the main differences between these two methods, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your organization’s needs.

4. Download and distribute enrollment file: Once you've selected the preferred managed Apple ID enrollment method, download the corresponding file—either the MDM profile in .mobileconfig format or the agent in .ppkg format. Distribute this file among your team members or provide them with a download link for easy access.

5. Complete installation on Mac devices: Team members using Macs must install the MDM profile or agent on their devices. This process may require entering passwords and quickly restarting the device to complete the enrollment.

6. Verify device listing: After the installation and setup are complete, the enrolled Mac device will appear in the devices table on the GroWrk Dashboard, confirming that the device is now under GroWrk’s management and monitoring framework.

Wrapping Up

Apple Business Manager (ABM) is an indispensable tool for organizations that use Apple devices. It offers a comprehensive solution for device management, app distribution, and user account management. By seamlessly integrating with existing IT infrastructures and providing a unified platform for managing Apple products, ABM enhances operational efficiency and supports strategic business goals.

Whether you manage a small business or a large enterprise, ABM's features, such as automated device enrollment and managed Apple IDs, streamline processes and ensure that your organization's digital assets are secure and well-managed. Don't compromise your IT asset lifecycle management anymore. Sign up to GroWrk now to ensure the highest level of efficiency in your operations.

FAQs

What does Apple Business Manager cost?

ABM is a free service Apple provides to help organizations manage their Apple products within a corporate environment.

What is the difference between Apple Business Manager and MDM?

ABM is a platform for enrolling devices, purchasing apps, distributing content, and creating Managed Apple IDs for employees. Meanwhile, an MDM solution refers to the software used by companies to control business applications, software updates, the overall user enrollment process, account management, and more.

What devices can be added to Apple Business Manager?

iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs can be added to ABM.

What is the difference between an Apple ID and Apple Business Manager?

A personal Apple ID is for individual use, while a managed Apple ID allows a business to manage devices and purchase apps and content that employees can access across an organization.

What is Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager?

Both are management platforms offered by Apple, with ABM targeting businesses and Apple School Manager designed for educational institutions.