Supporting Apple devices is no longer optional for MSPs. With IDC predicting a 20% increase in business use of Macs this year — and companies like Cisco saying 59% of new hires chose Macs over PCs — this should be a given. The opportunity is clear: MSPs providing Apple management services can charge twice the monthly amount of their PC-only counterparts.
However, MSPs that primarily support Windows often hesitate to offer these services. They leave copious amounts of revenue — and profits — on the table due to misperceptions about the uptick in Apple business usage, management learning curves, and the belief that devices are inherently secure.
Apple Business Tsunami Is Here
Employees aren’t the only ones who prefer Apple; businesses do, too. The devices’ stability and reliability result in fewer hardware issues and longer lifecycles. So, when MSP clients do the math, Apple devices tend to win.
Despite higher upfront acquisition costs, they cost less than comparable PCs on a per-device basis over three years. This has helped increase adoption among companies like Cisco — and among small and midsized businesses (SMBs).
Adoption likely will boom because of Microsoft’s 2025 end of support for Windows 10. With no more fixes or security updates, businesses already using or considering Apple devices are likely to replace aging Windows devices with them.
>>RELATED: Read ChannelPro’s article on why MSPs need to be prepared to handle Windows 10’s fast-approaching end of life.<<
Growing Cyber Threats Present New Service Opportunities
Cybercriminals are enamored with Apple devices. As business use grows, they’ve become a prime target for malware, ransomware, and other security risks. In fact, malware targeting Macs increased 50% since 2023. This points to an urgent business need — and a huge opportunity for MSPs — to offer Apple device management and security services.
Consider the misconception of Macs’ inherent security. This can lead to Apple devices being overlooked in critical areas such as OS updates, patch management, and security compliance. However, they are not invulnerable. For example, a recent study found security controls on macOS prevented only 23% of simulated cyberattacks compared to 62% on Windows devices.
Jason Dettbarn
How Different is Apple Services vs. Windows Device Management?
Offering Apple-focused services can feel overwhelming for Windows-oriented MSPs. This is especially true since existing Windows management tools don’t suffice. However, it’s not a completely new beast.
The underlying IT management principles for Apple and Windows are universal. Here are some examples:
Zero Touch Deployment
Tools like Microsoft Intune’s Autopilot provide a Zero Touch experience, enabling remote setup and configuration of Windows devices. Apple’s comparable process lets MSPs who use Apple-specific remote management tools set up and manage devices without physically handling them. Apple’s Automated Device Enrollment integrates with Apple Business Manager to enable seamless device provisioning, making it easy to deploy ready-for-use devices out of the box.
Conditional Access and Device Compliance
Conditional access is a cornerstone of Windows security, often enforced via Intune and Microsoft Entra ID. MSPs can apply this knowledge to managing Apple devices by using similar yet Apple-specific compliance checks. They can also integrate Apple device management with Conditional Access.
Active Directory Integration
Active Directory is the backbone of Windows device management. While traditional AD can be used with Apple, it’s moving toward integrating cloud-based identity management systems that support Apple-specific features like SSO and automated user account creation. The transition from AD to a modern identity provider like Entra ID is similar to what’s happening with Apple devices.
GPOs and Configuration Profiles
Apple Configuration Profiles are similar to Windows Group Policies. They allow MSPs to enforce security settings, manage applications, configure network settings, and more across all enrolled Apple devices.
Profiting from New Revenue Streams
Adding Apple services doesn’t need to be a heavy lift for MSPs.
Mobile device management (MDM) solutions designed for Apple enable automated updates, deployments, patch management, and compliance checks across Mac, iPad and iPhone devices. This ensures that they are as secure as their Windows counterparts. MDMs tailored for the channel also offer visibility into all customers from a single portal for tracking device status, software versions, encryption levels, and more.
MSPs can even create and manage unique compliance policies for each individual client from that same portal. With these solutions and training by Apple MDM experts, MSPs can grow business while ensuring service responsiveness and quality.
Businesses that buy Apple devices have proven they’re willing to pay a premium for Apple device management. Now, it’s time for MSPs to profit from this golden opportunity.
Jason Dettbarn is founder and CEO of Addigy. He is an expert in helping MSPs grow their business with Apple device security and compliance services.
Featured image: DALL-E
