Presidio Blog

Presidio Blog - Demystifying the TCO for Apple in the Workplace

Written by Presidio | 2 Mar, 2023

According to recent surveys by PwC and Jamf, most employees believe that having access to the technology they like at work makes them more effective in their job. Key findings reveal that 87% of respondents surveyed said choosing their own work device was of importance to them, so much so that 89% of respondents said they’d be willing to sacrifice part of their salary for it. By offering your employees the choice programme, you will see immediate benefits, such as end-user job satisfaction, as well as strengthening a company’s offering in the war on talent and employee retention. And, as more organisations offer their employees a choice in work technology, the demand for Apple continues to grow.

When comparing Apple users’ experiences using Apple device against using non-Apple devices at work, they reported a much better experience with the former (improvements in productivity (87%), self-sufficiency (87%) and creativity (86%) when using Apple devices).

In the enterprise market, Apple devices are known for more than just being flexible - they boast impressive performance capabilities, with their Continuity feature allowing seamless experience across all Apple devices. And powerful MDM solutions such as Jamf, IT Administrators are empowered with zero-touch deployment capabilities & management.  

There is a misperception that Macs are more costly than the average PC upfront. However, based on research by Forrester (The Total Economic Impact™ Of Mac In Enterprise), based on a 3-year product cycle, Apple devices will pay off in the long run due to multiple factors:

Built to last longer

Engineered by Apple’s own hardware and software engineers, every aspect of their device production from start to finish are built to integrate seamlessly. Apple's control of its ecosystem means all the components of a Mac system are optimized to work together which in turn allows processes to function more smoothly throughout its full lifespan. 

True Zero-touch deployments

In the context of Apple Mac computers, zero-touch deployment refers to the use of specialized tools and processes to deploy and manage Macs without the need for IT administrators to manually configure each device. This can include enrolling the Macs in a device management system, installing and configuring required applications and settings, and setting up user accounts. 

Zero-touch deployment for Macs can provide several benefits, such as improved efficiency and scalability, reduced deployment times, and easier management of large numbers of devices. It can also help to ensure that all Macs are consistently configured and secured, which can be particularly important in business environment without the need for manual intervention.

Apple Business Manager when combined with a MDM such as Jamf, allows organizations to deploy Apple devices without even opening their original packaging. The device enrolment begins automatically upon the first boot-up and configures to the policies set within the MDM. Regardless of the size or complexity of your organisation, Presidio can find the best solution for you. 

Customer reports show up to 80% reduction in the time spent provisioning a Mac device when compared to a windows device with the utilization of Zero-touch enrolment capabilities. Forrester's "Total Economic Impact™ Of Mac In Enterprise" report's findings show that the average device lifecycle cost savings over three years are up to $843 per Mac. 

It’s a game changer to say the least. 

High residual cost

Apple devices retain significant value during their lifetime thanks to a mix of exceptionally durable hardware, a global network of service specialists, and uncomplicated software updates. 

The high residual value of Apple products means your existing devices may be used as trade-ins when you come to upgrade, unlike other devices that frequently end up being left unused at the end of their lifecycle. Over a 3-year period, it is estimated that a MacBook would maintain a minimum residual value of 25%, hence reducing the total cost of ownership. 

Evergreen OS & Software updates

All software & operating system updates and upgrades are performed seamlessly and easily. The free operating system upgrades eliminate a significant economic barrier to upgrading, allowing more end users to take advantage of the newest Apple features, while giving administrators and executives the assurance that the managed devices they oversee within the MDM are running the most up-to-date OS version. 

When compared to other platforms, the software update procedure in the Apple ecosystem is straightforward and quick. The usage of a single operating system throughout an entire organization makes it easier to support hardware and software, develop apps, integrate systems, perform security updates, and more. 

Apple is Green

Did you know that Apple has been carbon neutral since 2020 and has pledged for all their products to do the same by 2030? In the latest Apple devices, there are multiple recycled materials that encourage sustainability (such as recycled gold within an iPhone’s camera, recycled rare earth elements for all magnets, or 100% recycled aluminium in MacBook Pro 13-Inch (2022) aluminium enclosure).

Secure by design

Apple devices include cutting-edge technology and software that cooperate to run apps more securely, safeguard your data, and keep you safe online. With Apple technologies such as the M2 Chip, Secure Enclave, App notarization, FileVault 2 and many other technologies that are built-in, the risk of data breaches is significantly reduced. 

The highly advanced runtime security features in macOS safeguard your machine at its very core. Modern state-of-the-art antivirus software is first integrated to block and delete malware. In addition to making it impossible for malware to cause harm, technologies like XD (execute disable) make sure that programs with root privileges cannot change crucial system files. 

Apple Mac computers come with a range of built-in security features that help protect against malware, viruses, and other threats. Some of these features include: 

FileVault: a built-in tool that encrypts the contents of your Mac's hard drive, making it difficult for unauthorized users to access your data. 

Gatekeeper: a security feature that helps prevent the installation of malicious software on your Mac. It checks apps for known security issues, and only allows apps from trusted sources to be installed.

Firewall: a built-in firewall that helps protect your computer from unauthorized access over the internet. You can configure the firewall to allow or block incoming connections based on your preferences.

Automatic updates: Apple regularly releases software updates for the Mac, which often include security fixes and enhancements. With automatic updates enabled, your Mac will automatically download and install these updates, ensuring that your computer is always up to date with the latest security features. 

Safari: the built-in web browser on the Mac includes a number of security features, such as a privacy browsing mode, fraud protection, and cross-site tracking prevention. These features help protect you from online threats, such as phishing scams and malware. 

Summary

Organisations need to offer Apple users secure access to the resources they need, empower IT with a management solution that delivers the functionality required in today’s modern work environment, and provide information security with the peace of mind that devices and data are protected at all times.

Apple has significantly advanced its products security and privacy features, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to designing & manufacturing high-quality products for both personal and business use. It can be confusing to decide between Apple and other devices when looking at the upfront purchase cost. Apple products may require a larger upfront financial commitment, but they have been proven to be more cost effective in the long run. When choosing devices for your business, it's more important to consider how well they will meet your needs than looking to fit them in your budget.

Book a demo with us today to see Apple in action – we know you will be impressed!