IBM launches cloud based services for easy deployment of Macs

IBM announced its new cloud based services on August 5 which will allow its enterprise clients to readily integrate Macs with their enterprise systems and applications. The new offering is part of IBM’s MobileFirst services portfolio, according to reports.

With the new offering, clients can place orders for Macs; after which, it will be delivered directly to their employees without any additional setup, imaging or configuration, reports PC World. Macs are shipping faster than the industry average and it has outgrown the PC industry consistently for the last decade, IBM said through its official press release.

Witnessing the growing adoption of Macs in the enterprise sector, IBM is offering Macs as part of its standard services offering. Meanwhile, integration services for Mac are facilitated through the cloud as a software-as-a-service (Saas) solution. In addition, the services are also available on-premises in clients’ data centers. The services also cover employees’ personal Macs in corporate “bring-your-own-device” settings.

“Ease of adoption and use are at the foundation of every Apple product, and as these devices are used more in the workplace, people expect the same experience they enjoy with Apple technology in their personal lives,” IBM's official press release quoted Richard Patterson, general manager, Infrastructure Services, IBM Global Technology Services, as saying.

The new services also feature JAMF Software's Casper Suite, an application that helps clients to quickly deploy Apple's product lineup that includes MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro in the enterprise. Other services include providing OS and image management, an enterprise app catalog, software application and update management, automatic compliance and configuration updates for security, inventory and reporting for hardware and software, reports PC World. IBM’s enterprise services also provide support for iOS devices. With its latest offering, IBM is trying to compete with VMware and Citrix, which have been providing multiple devices and platforms to their enterprise clients, reports ZDNet.

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