There is no doubt that versatility is beneficial to your IT infrastructure. However, bringing two tech giants — Apple and Windows — together in your work environments can be challenging. Both have their pros and cons. The trick is to make the best use of the advantages while efficiently managing their disadvantages with zero or minimal fallout back.
In a hybrid Mac and Windows environment, managed IT services can be different. For example, you must implement third-party apps to accommodate the macOS, which does not have a central management feature. While a managed IT services provider can assist you in scaling the challenges of such an environment and implementationing it into your IT infrastructure in a manner that works for you, answering these questions is a good start:
- What type of access do I need ion my network infrastructure that won’t inhibit workflow?
- For both Mac and Windows, how many devices do I want to deploy?
- What tools do I use in my business? And are they compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems?
An expert managed it services in Washington dc will guide you through these questions and others to derive the best IT solutions to help your business align with what you desire.
Challenges of a Mac and Windows Hybrid Environment
Having an IT environment that incorporates Mac and Windows can be beneficial in terms of efficiency. However, there are specific challenges you need to watch out for so that such an environment does not turn out to negatively impact your processes due to incompatibility and an unstructured workflow. The challenges you may face from merging Mac and Windows in your enterprise IT infrastructure include the following:
- Macs are meant to be used personally and not managed centrally: While you can manage enterprise Windows devices with PowerShell scripts, you would have to manually configure each Mac device to connect to your office’s network and share files.
- Not all tools are compatible with both operating systems: If you have a favorite tool for your workflow processes in a Windows environment, there can be issues integrating with a Mac OS. A managed IT services provider can recommend another software that provides the same features and is compatible with both operating systems or only assign the Mac OS to personnel who use it.
- Dealing with separate management systems: Although Mac devices are not meant to be centralized, you can use mobile device management (MDM) software to keep track of your devices. On the other hand, Windows uses Group Policy to manage and automate controls in a Windows environment.
Deploying Managed IT Services in Your Mixed Mac and Windows Environment
The approach to implementing managed IT services in your mixed Mac and Windows environment is different than usual. An experienced IT support provider has the necessary skill and expertise to help scale any challenges that you may encounter.
1. Manage Your Mac Devices With Mobile Device Management Tools
Mobile device management enhances the performance and security of mobile devices in your infrastructure while serving as an extra layer of protection for your enterprise network. These applications enable you to manage devices across several operating systems, including Mac, Android, and Windows. While they have several features, the ones that are beneficial to you in managing your devices include:
- Tracking the location and status of registered devices;
- Implementing and automating updates;
- Monitoring device activities;
- Pinpointing and troubleshooting issues.
Getting a mobile device management application that supports Mac and Windows will help you make processes more manageable, especially during audits. Mobile device management tools are mainly used to ensure that all devices in the systems are tracked and taken into account.
2. Use Group Policy for Managing Windows
Group Policy is a Windows feature that controls the working infrastructure of user accounts and computer accounts. It includes administration rights to set configurations for multiple users and computers in your active directory. Like the Apple mobile device management tools for your Mac devices, Group Policy effectively manages and monitors your Windows devices.
Starting with security, Group Policy enables your network administrator to enforce password requirements for users that interact with your IT infrastructure. Password policies include best industry practices, such as using a password length of at least eight characters and mixing case letters with characters. Hence, you can increase the protection of your infrastructure against from malicious attacks trying to get into your system by guessing simple passwords.
Besides creating and implementing a solid password structure across all your Windows devices, Group Policy lets you install security patches for all users on your network and automate updates for their devices. From securely adding new users to your IT infrastructure to monitoring and promptly troubleshooting issues on your devices, managed IT service providers help you make your network environment more secure and efficient.
3. Implement Compatibility on Both Platforms
If Whether you are using two different operating systems in your IT infrastructure, there will be consistent interaction between your devices, including sharing files and setting up demos. Implementing software compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems is beneficial for you to avoid not experiencinge any hiccups in your workflow.
Use Shipshape’s Managed IT Services to Grow Your Business
Shipshape IT is dedicated to providing in-depth IT support that helps you integrate the latest technology solutions into your infrastructure seamlessly. Our end-to-end managed IT services include monitoring your IT infrastructure and promptly responding to any issues that arise. We provide robust services that enable you to promote your business with technology that increases the productivity and efficiency of your processes. Contact us by calling 703-312-9040 to learn more about how you can upgrade your business’s performance with IT solutions.
