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More than 55% of businesses actively use or permit the use of Macs, as revealed in a 2020 Parallels survey. For this reason, incorporating Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools for Macs is an absolute necessity for most managed service providers (MSPs).
RMM tools are specialized software that enables remote management of an organization’s IT infrastructure. Agents installed on devices act as communication bridges, facilitating data collection and command execution.
RMM platforms offer real-time visibility into device health, performance, and security, enabling remote software updates, security fixes, and issue troubleshooting.
In this post, we examine the factors that make RMM tools necessary for managing Macs and the factors that MSPs must consider when choosing one.
Mac Management Challenges for MSPs
The challenges that typically motivate MSPS to reach for RMM tools are:
Patch Management
Patches are crucial to ensuring device security. But they can quickly become tedious when manually implemented across a fleet. Also, without proper scheduling, deploying patches can easily disrupt system users and eat into productivity.
Also, figuring out which patches to deploy gets tricky, and confirming that patches were successful and didn’t cause compatibility issues without the right tools.
Remote Access
Before the advent of remote access MSPs relied on physical on-site visits to address even the minutest issues and perform maintenance tasks. Unsurprisingly, it was inefficient and inevitably caused delays, no thanks to travel needs.
This reactive method meant that MSPs had limited visibility into system health, which reduced their chances of discovering and resolving critical issues before they arose.
Point Solutions
Sometimes, MSPs utilize different point solutions to address specific tasks such as security, backup, patch management, etc. This is great up until they find themselves navigating a fragmented environment.
As these solutions typically lack seamless integration, MSPs often end up with a complex labyrinth in the name of bridging the gaps between these solutions.
Cost
MSPs in an RMM-less setup incur higher costs. Relying on physical visits to address clients’ issues takes its toll on travel and accommodation costs. This escalates quickly when serving clients in multiple locations.
Plus, managing multiple point solutions inevitably leads to higher costs. And that’s speaking only of the direct financial costs. There is also the indirect cost of expending time that could have been profitably spent on other clients.
Choosing the Right Mac RMM Tool
Consider the following factors when choosing an RMM tool:
Ease of Deployment
Prioritize an RMM tool that is easy to set up. It must be able to quickly discover Macs on your client’s network and deploy agents on them to collect the necessary information.
Automation
Automations are essential to your service’s efficiency as they reduce labor costs and save time. Hence, ensure that your preferred RMM solution enables you to schedule and automate tasks such as managing patches and updating software.
Asset Tracking
RMM tools with asset tracking capabilities enable MSPs to maintain a comprehensive and accurate inventory of client assets. This information comes in handy when planning for hardware upgrades or replacements, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing downtime caused by hardware failures.
Asset tracking RMMs also provide insight into software installations and licensing information. This feature helps monitor software usage, track licenses, and ensure clients comply with vendor agreements.
Report Generation
This is a crucial feature to look out for, as detailed reports help MSPs monitor performance metrics over time. You can proactively identify bottlenecks, predict potential issues, and optimize system performance.
Your clients also need this feature as several industries have specific regulatory requirements requiring system audits and regular data reports such as security logs, patch management history, antivirus status, etc.
Integrability
Integration enhances smoother workflows and reduces manual efforts in data exchange between software. Hence, ensure that your preferred RMM tool integrates seamlessly with other software such as ticketing systems, Professional Services Automation (PSA) platforms, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, or other IT management tools.
Consider the extent of pre-built integrations and the ability to create custom ones through application programming interfaces (APIs). That way, you’re assured that your RMM tools are interoperable with the software in your current and future ecosystem.
JumpCloud for MSPs and Mac Management
JumpCloud collaborates closely with MSP partners and offers a program that includes comprehensive training and dedicated resources. This equips MSPs with the knowledge and tools they need to deliver exceptional client services.
Speaking of tools, JumpCloud’s Multi-Tenant portal provides a simple but powerful toolbox that cuts across cross-platform, identity, and access management. Built on a cloud directory foundation, it includes solutions such as password manager, single sign-on (SSO), device manager, multi-factor authentication (MFA), etc., that MSPs employ to deliver top-notch service, combat tool sprawl, and reduce costs.
Among its latest offerings is JumpCloud Remote Assist. This excellent RMM tool gives MSPs a great deal of visibility and control over Macs and other devices. It gathers and reports information that is helpful for debugging issues. Plus, it grants admins remote access to Macs and enables them to troubleshoot clients’ devices anywhere.
Remote Assist functions within an ecosystem that includes a powerful patch management feature that MSPs need to make clients’ devices constantly updated while minimizing user disruption. It includes a powerful script library that MSPs can expand upon to deploy devices remotely.
Get Started Today
Find out why more and more MSPs are choosing JumpCloud for easy cross-device management, password management, and more. Sign up for a free account, install the JumpCloud agent on your device, and experience the benefits of stack unification now.
