Managed Services

copilot productivity

How Copilot Can Enhance Productivity in MS 365 For Nonprofits 

How Copilot Can Enhance Productivity in MS 365 For Nonprofits 

copilot productivity

When your association or nonprofit is focused on making a real impact, harnessing the latest AI productivity solutions can help you go further in your work and make a bigger difference for your community. Experts predict that if organizations effectively use artificial intelligence, they have the potential to significantly increase their efficiency and output, leading to a $4.4 trillion increase in overall productivity.  

Microsoft offers an industry-leading, robust ecosystem of applications for supporting your daily activities. Within that environment, the AI tool Microsoft Copilot can further enhance the user experience, offering real-world benefits for empowering your team to shift from repetitive to meaningful, strategic work. 

Below, you’ll learn about the tangible benefits of using M365 for nonprofits and incorporating AI into your workplace. We’ll also cover how to securely implement Copilot to enjoy big returns in productivity and why you should consider managed IT support for a smooth integration. 

What Is Microsoft Copilot and How Does It Work?  

If your organization has a Microsoft 365 plan, then you can access Copilot. This artificial intelligence chatbot uses large language model (LLM) algorithms and Microsoft’s proprietary Prometheus model to generate content instantaneously based on user prompts.  

The tool has the capacity and training to mimic more complex human cognitive processes, such as solving problems, recognizing patterns, predicting outcomes, and even discerning emotions.  

The “Copilot” name perfectly summarizes its purpose: the tool will act as your trusty companion, helping you accomplish tasks more efficiently and preserving your energy for more creative projects.  You can use the basic version to complete various tasks, such as writing, answering questions, coding — even generating images.  

Comparing Copilot Chat vs. Microsoft 365 Copilot 

Copilot operates on a freemium model, where users can access some features for free but can pay for more advanced capabilities.   

For business users with an existing Entra account and Microsoft 365 subscription, Copilot Chat is available at no additional cost. You can use the secure, AI-powered GPT-4 chat leveraging GPT-4, use agents with pay-as-you-go pricing and benefit from enterprise data protection and agent management. 

Customers who subscribe to Microsoft 365 for business can upgrade to Microsoft 365 Copilot for $30/month. This subscription delivers a personalized and integrated experience, including AI-driven chat that leverages your organization’s data, seamless integration with apps like Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel, along with enterprise-grade security, privacy, and compliance. 

Why AI Tools Like Copilot Are Changing the Game 

There are many advantages to using Microsoft Copilot for nonprofits, especially when paired with the Microsoft 365 productivity tools they already use daily: 

Faster, Smarter Document Creation  

Copilot offers several document automation tools that will make content management more efficient for your organization: 

  • Document Management in Word: Easily organize, create, and edit documents when you use Copilot to draft content, pull in details from relevant files and refine grammar and tone. 
  • Presentation Creation in PowerPoint: Copilot can help you put together presentations, whether you’re starting from scratch, working from a Word document, or using your organization’s templates to keep things on-brand. It can also suggest images and turn complex information into a clear, well-structured deck. 
  • Summarizing Content: In applications like PowerPoint and OneNote, the AI assistant can help you quickly understand a document’s key details. 
Better Collaboration and Communication  

For nonprofits and associations, good teamwork is everything, whether it’s when coordinating projects, managing volunteers, or communicating with stakeholders. 

Various Microsoft applications provide AI collaboration tools that help teams connect more effectively.  

Meetings: You can use Copilot to create a meeting agenda or prepare specific discussion questions. Microsoft Teams AI features can also  quickly summarize lengthy chats, automate meeting notetaking and generate post-meeting action items.  

Email Management: Copilot can provide the highlights from long email threads in Outlook or help compose a reply to someone’s message that properly contextualizes its content. 

Informed Decision-Making with Data Insights 

Copilot is also helpful for strategic planning! You can use the tool to generate reports with valuable observations that evaluate your performance, identify any weaknesses, and set well-aligned goals. For example, in Excel, you could ask for quick insights based on the data in your existing tables or suggestions for formulas for what you want to calculate. It can also quickly highlight, sort, and filter your tables.   

In Word, Outlook, or Teams, you can also use the AI tool’s conversation feature to review documents or meetings and ask questions to get feedback, such as “What actions would you suggest for my organization going forward?” or “How can I improve this plan? What is missing?” 

Clearer Project Management Across Teams  

If you want your employees to understand exactly how and when they should contribute to your long-term goals, your organization needs clear, specific processes and workflows. Copilot can streamline that task! 

For example, you can ask Copilot to create a to-do list, tasks, or even an entire project plan from your notes with cloud-based productivity tools like OneNote. After a Teams meeting, it can generate the main takeaways and action items so everyone has explicit guidance on expectations, responsibilities, and upcoming project milestones. 

While subscribing to Copilot may cost money upfront, it can help your organization save over time. With increased efficiency and more effective project management, you can focus on more value-added activities, better allocate resources, minimize delays, and stick to your projected budget. 

How to Prepare for Copilot in Your Organization  

Not sure how you can make Copilot a useful and trusted part of your workplace? Getting ready to bring Copilot into your organization doesn’t have to be too complex. Harnessing the benefits of AI productivity for associations and nonprofits involves two main tasks: getting your team ready to embrace this tool and your systems to support it effectively. Here are the best practices you should follow for a smooth experience: 

Evaluate Workflows  

Assess how your team currently works to identify how this new tool can enhance or streamline their processes. You’ll also need to check whether your infrastructure is prepared to handle this deeper level of MS365 integration. 

Define Policies and Permissions  

You can create a secure, efficient, and responsible AI-friendly environment by partnering with your IT team or service provider to establish a comprehensive management strategy for Microsoft 365 with strong policies for user access and permissions that follow best practices for AI and cloud security. 

Train and Support Staff  

To successfully introduce AI in nonprofit operations, your employees should receive comprehensive training on using new tools and guidelines that maintain consistency, efficiency, and security. 

Monitor and Optimize  

Regularly gather feedback from users and monitor the tool’s performance. Be ready to adjust your approach for optimal benefit. 

Why Managed IT Support Makes the Difference  

Every nonprofit or association wants to support their communities effectively. Leveraging an artificial intelligence tool like Microsoft Copilot can be a great solution for achieving that goal! This AI-powered assistant will enhance how you manage your documents, plan your projects, communicate with your colleagues, and other critical daily workplace tasks – all necessary to help you drive your mission forward.   

When you partner with designDATA, you’ll receive tailored IT support for nonprofits. We specialize in guiding organizations through integrating new productivity tools. Our experts will conduct an in-depth business analysis, manage all aspects of system deployment, and train your staff. Together, we’ll empower your team to unlock the full potential of AI technology. 

Ready to boost your productivity? Let’s discuss how your organization can successfully roll out Microsoft Copilot with designDATA. 

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The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

DesignDATA
The Current State of Cyber Insurance Coverage

Three-minute read

Over the past decade, cyber insurance has grown from niche to mainstream in terms of insurance coverage for businesses and organizations. The instances of ransomware attacks, data breaches with extortion demands, and electronic financial crimes are increasing in leaps and bounds year over year. So much so that insurance providers have had to modify their coverage for these threats within their policies to reduce the amount they are paying out, raise premiums, or both. Organizations, large and small, are constantly at risk from bad actors trying to take advantage of weak security protocols, loose accounting practices, or unsuspecting employees. But what does cyber insurance cover and does your organization need to worry about it? 

We’ve organized a webinar to answer all your cyber insurance questions, but read on to learn about some of the topics we will cover in more detail on March 22nd.

Register for the Cyber Insurance Webinar

What Exactly is Cyber Insurance?

Most organizations have general liability insurance, and these policies can include provisions for some types of crime we may think of as cyber threats. But cyber insurance specifically covers costs associated with the most dangerous types of cyber threats that aren’t covered under general liability.  These include ransomware attacks, data breaches with extortion, funds transfer fraud and social engineering attacks. They can also provide access to valuable services (or pay for those services) such as data recovery costs, computer forensic investigations and a public relations crisis management firm. Unfortunately, not all policies are made equal. Forbes shared this insight surrounding the cyber insurance industry: “The growing demand, coupled with an increase in payouts, is driving the cyber insurance industry to rethink how it can mitigate its exposure.” This means that you’ll have to ask some questions of your policy provider to ensure you are fully protected. Insurance is a for-profit business and it is on you as the consumer to make sure you’re buying the coverage and services you’ll need and not overspending on the coverage you don’t.

Does Your Organization Need Cyber Insurance Coverage?

It seems like every week in the news you hear about another major corporation suffering from a data breach or ransomware attack.  While large companies likely have cyber insurance coverage, it’s not only enterprise-level organizations that need to worry. According to Nation Wide, “55% of small businesses have experienced a data breach and 53% have had multiple breaches.” Cyber insurance coverage is used as a way for companies to transfer a large portion of the risk to themselves against these threats and it is a smart precaution for organizations of all sizes.

How to Apply for Cyber Insurance

Some general liability insurance policies include data breaches or some forms of limited cyber coverage. So, the first place to start would be reviewing your existing General Liability Policy. Note which types of threats and losses are covered. You may want to extend your current coverage to include other areas where your organization lacks coverage, such as on a ransomware payment or a social engineering attack. It’s best to shop around and find the best options for your organization. If you’re not sure what the best choices are for your organization, you might need some help.  Ask your insurance broker if they (or someone they work with) is an expert in cyber insurance and can provide you with comprehensive coverage. You should also ask the individuals in charge of your IT security to review the types of coverage included in these policies and ask if all the relevant cybersecurity risks are covered.  You should also cross-reference your cyber policy with any other insurance policies you have that include crime coverage to ensure there are no types of crime that are missing from your policies (and that you don’t overlap too much — overlapping coverage is often less helpful than you think). When applying for cyber insurance coverage, you’ll be asked a lot of questions about your current IT security, your accounting practices and your past claims history.  Make sure you answer these questionnaires truthfully and completely.  While the insurance carrier won’t be auditing you during the policy purchasing phase, they definitely will audit you if you file a claim with them. If they determine you’re not doing something that you promised you were, they can use that as justification to deny your claim.

Types of Cyber Insurance Coverage

Below are some types of coverage that you want to ensure are included in your policy portfolio: 1. Data Breach Coverage Data breaches can come from anywhere, such as a simple phishing email that an employee opens. Suddenly, data exfiltration malware is surfing your network. Or maybe a vendor is compromised and an email comes from them that looks exactly like every other email but it actually has a malicious attachment. Maybe some of your employees aren’t practicing good password hygiene and bad actors guess passwords to your main databases. These breaches usually result in the theft of personal or client information. Cyber insurance policies will include services to help you recover from these breaches, like a Breach Hotline, forensic services to investigate the breach, crisis management and public relations help. These are all great benefits to have in the case of data theft. 2. Personal Client or Business Information Restoration Cyber insurance policies with this coverage will include paying for the labor and any special tools for recovery and/or replacement of lost or stolen data. Note that you need to have good backups for this coverage to work; the insurance company can’t wave a magic wand and put all of your data back on your systems. 3. Data Recovery Not only will a cyber insurance policy cover data recovery after a breach, but it will also bring you peace of mind knowing that all elements of the aftermath will be addressed. Providers will work to recover or recreate lost data; they will ensure any clients with compromised information are informed and, if necessary, compensated. Some policies even help victims of identity fraud restore their credit rating. 4. System Repair After a data breach, your computer systems may be damaged or destroyed. Malware and spyware can wreak havoc on your network settings and organization, not to mention finding all the information that has been compromised. Cyber insurance will cover the costs of system and hardware repairs, as well as repairing your data centers and network architecture.

Is Cyber Insurance Worth It?

In our opinion, yes, cyber insurance coverage is essential for any organization that relies on computers to process or store its data, make financial transactions, or manage their human resources. As technology advances and there is a wider attack surface for bad actors to exploit, every organization is at risk, no matter the size. If you’re uncertain about your current security being advanced enough to obtain insurance, we can help your business improve your security landscape. designDATA has decades of experience with IT security for businesses of all sizes. We can protect your mission-critical data, elevate your security network and ensure that you and your team are prepared for a review by a potential cyber insurance provider. This includes reviewing your current cyber insurance policy if you request it. We’ll ensure that your policy is best serving you, that you’re well-protected and that your policy includes all of the coverage you might need. Knowing that your cyber insurance policy is robust and up to par means you can work with less worry and more confidence. If you want to check the status of your cyber insurance and make sure your business is prepared for cyber incidents, request a free cyber insurance review now!
Request a Free Cyber Insurance Review

Be sure to register for our cyber insurance webinar on March 22nd from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST. We want to give our community the best information available about cyber insurance so you can ensure your business is protected.

Register for the Cyber Insurance Webinar

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Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

DesignDATA
Work-From-Home Security: How to Close the Gap

Working from home has long been a dream for many office workers. Recent developments in cloud technology and video conferencing have enabled companies to offer part-time or permanent remote or hybrid options. Experts predicted this trend would increase, but no one expected a global pandemic to make the dream of working from home a reality for millions. With this shift comes the need to tend to work-from-home security.

The Shift to Remote and Hybrid Work

When COVID-19 hit, companies quickly pivoted to remote operations. No one knew how long the situation would last, and the initial focus was on maintaining worker productivity. The new way of working allowed for this, but it came with some challenges too. Remote work and hybrid work aren’t going away soon, and it is time for companies to get serious about work-from-home security.

These new ways of working have produced new pathways for cybercriminals to attack. Hackers and other malicious cyber actors are attacking remote and hybrid workers with three primary tactics:

Email & Phishing Scams

Hackers have taken advantage of the COVID-19 crisis to launch phishing attacks through email, texts and social media. Fraudulent emails are often disguised as helpful information from company leadership or as requests from the company for personal information.

Unsecured Wi-Fi Network Infiltration

Devices connected to unprotected home networks are an easy target for cybercriminals. They use this vulnerability to steal data and passwords and intercept sensitive messages.

Personal Computer Hacks

A large percentage of workers admit to using their personal or mobile devices for work-related purposes. Employees often transfer company data to personal devices for convenience or other reasons. This makes the data vulnerable to attacks — especially since many people don’t regularly install security updates on their devices, nor do those devices have all of the protective software that a business-owned device would.

What Can Business Leaders Do? 

Excellent cybersecurity starts with savvy leaders who understand the risks and implement smart policies to keep home offices secure. Here are three policies business leaders can introduce to set their companies up for work-from-home security success.

Disallow the Use of Personal Computers
Make sure all employees have company devices. Set the clear expectation that business data will never be transferred to or accessed from personal computers. Suppose bring-your-own-device is already part of your culture. In that case, you can work with your IT team to develop standards that users of personal devices need to adhere to, such as installing the organization’s antivirus or patching tools.

Ensure Data is Stored Securely in Business-Approved Repositories
Many employees have a personal Dropbox or other cloud-based data storage account. They also often store data on their local hard drives. Set up easy-to-use company data repositories and implement policies that prevent workers from using their personal accounts to store and share company data.

Require Relevant Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Train employees on relevant security topics such as “how to recognize phishing attacks,” “proper password management” and “company cybersecurity best practices.” Adequate training resources are available, and leaders should make sure their employees participate regularly.

Explore Our Free Cybersecurity Resource

What Can IT Teams Do?

While leaders set cybersecurity policies, IT teams make recommendations and do the technical work to implement the policies and procedures that secure company networks and data. Here are four technical strategies IT teams can use to help employees keep company data safe while working from home.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passwords and physical devices are both relatively easy to steal. IT teams can prevent malicious actors from accessing company data by requiring more than one form of identification to access company devices and systems. MFA is essential for controlling access to publicly-accessible services, such as Microsoft 365.

Require a VPN Connection to Access Company Data & Applications

VPNs boost security by providing remote employees with a secure connection to the company network. Employees should only be able to access internal company data and applications through a VPN. Ensure the VPN is configured with network segmentation and profiles, so each department or external vendor account only has access to the servers or devices needed to do the job. For example, a marketing user’s VPN shouldn’t allow them to ping the accounting server. Also, an external vendor that uses the VPN to help manage a database application shouldn’t be able to access a file server through the VPN.

Use Remote Monitoring & Management Tools
These tools help IT teams monitor all devices used by ensuring employees are up to date on security patches and antivirus updates. This also allows helpdesk employees to assist remote users with requests directly.

Deploy a Business Password Management Tool
Employees are notorious for writing passwords on sticky notes or storing them in files on their desktops. Give workers a more secure and convenient option by providing a business-approved password management tool to help them create strong passwords and keep them organized. Talk to your IT service provider for recommendations.

What Can Employees Do?

All the best leaders and tech-savvy IT teams in the world can’t secure a home office if employees don’t cooperate. The following actions will ensure that employees do their part to maintain cybersecurity while working remotely.

Protect Your Home Wireless Network With a Password
This seems simple, but many employees either have open home wireless networks or have never changed the default password. You should set a strong password for your home Wi-Fi network and make sure not to post it where it can be easily seen.

Cooperate With Company Policies
Corporate cybersecurity policies about passwords, personal devices and document storage can seem burdensome or paranoid. However, they pose real risks to company data security, and there are consequences if employees don’t cooperate with the policies. Employees should be diligent in complying with all company cybersecurity policies and best practices.

Be Wary of Suspicious Emails and Attachments
Hackers and other cybercriminals often pose as managers or team members in emails, chats or meeting requests. Remote work and hybrid work make it more complicated and critical for employees to carefully identify the people they interact with. To maintain work-from-home security, employees must be rigorous about identifying everyone they meet or share company information with.

Want to Learn More?

The steps described in this article will help you get started in securing your employees’ home offices, but there’s a lot more to ensure your company has excellent cybersecurity.

Ready to take action?

Let’s connect. Book a call with us and we will introduce you to one of designDATA’s cybersecurity experts to get started.

Ready to take the next step? Let’s connect! Book a Security Assessment with one of our cybersecurity experts to see how we can help you.

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op-IT-Priorities-for-the-Professional-Services-Industry

Top IT Priorities for the Professional Services Industry

Top IT Priorities for the Professional Services Industry

DesignDATA
op-IT-Priorities-for-the-Professional-Services-Industry

our-minute read

 Professional services firms (PSFs) bring their expert knowledge daily to help their clients meet their business goals. To do this, they need excellent IT support to meet the increasingly digital demands of a constantly changing organizational landscape.

IT is an opaque world, so it is hard for outsiders to determine their IT priorities. Below are three important items a professional services executive needs from an IT provider.

CybersecurityCybersecurity

When PSFs offer their expertise to clients, they also promise to protect sensitive information, trade secrets, and third-party data. Part of their core business, regardless of industry, involves exchanging information. A professional’s distinguishing characteristic is that they have agency and a fiduciary duty to act in their client’s best interests.

In the digital age, a lack of cybersecurity can compromise those responsibilities, damage a firm’s reputation, and erode client trust. Cybersecurity should be a top priority, so you can protect yourself and your clients and create the best customer experience possible. 

Companies want investments in their IT priorities and cloud services to have a significant ROI for productivity and revenue. However, overlooking cybersecurity can affect a company’s long-term outlook far worse than a few lackluster quarters. According to Forbes, cybercrime cost U.S. businesses more than $6.9 billion in 2021, and yet only 50% have a cybersecurity plan in place. 

These two factors can work together to create an unhealthy situation for PSFs. For example, a cyberattack could steal financial information from accounting firms and expose their clients and third parties to extortion, fraud, and identity theft. Being a source of data leaks could lead to legal liability and devastating damage to your reputation.

There are ways for professionals to meet their IT goals and protect themselves and their clients from hackers. The most effective approach is to outsource your cybersecurity. An IT Managed Services Provider (MSP) can identify and mitigate security risks, create data loss and disaster recovery plans, and provide security awareness training to make “human firewalls” as human error is an often exploited vulnerability.

A Team-Based Approach to IT

A Team-Based Approach to IT

You need to invest most of your energy and funds into providing the most satisfactory customer service possible to your clients in a highly competitive market. Your investment in tech support and cloud services needs to be as unique as your company. One size does not fit all. 

You do not want to be oversold tools your team does not need of which you cannot afford. An IT provider should work with you to create a custom host of technology services that works with your business strategy, not a prepackaged set of IT solutions that do not suit professional services. 

There are obvious benefits to having an in-house IT team. They are dedicated employees who are enmeshed in your company culture, know your IT priorities intimately, and provide onsite tech support when problems arise. Yet, not every PSF can have an entire team not directly generating revenue. 

That is why it is beneficial to find an IT MSP that will get to know you and your company thoroughly – one dedicated to achieving your business objectives. This is one reason designDATA prioritizes a team-based approach to managed services. We want to ensure our clients are not constantly chatting with new, unfamiliar support staff. Having a team that is closely integrated into the client’s organization also helps us proactively find and solve issues. As well, this approach creates the experience of having an in-house IT team without any of the drawbacks, confirming that your investment is worthwhile.

Emerging Technology and Digital TransformationEmerging Technology and Digital Transformation

Your firm is here to stay, but technology and the world of work are ever-changing, so you owe it to your business, clients, and employees to continuously fold in emerging business technology and new ways of working into your digital repertoire.

Professional service executives are already leaders in their industry because they took exhaustive steps to master their profession, so we recommend seeking an IT provider who is equally as keen to take your technology environment to the next level. 

MSPs are more than just tech support; they can be total game-changers for your productivity levels and business processes while helping you set and meet your IT priorities. For example, without IT leading the charge, the transition to hybrid work would not have been possible. 

Digital transformation does not need to be radical to be effective. For example, using a single sign-on integration (SSO) can save your team time and aggravation by only using one account to access your digital business and tech services. 

Cybersecurity, a team-based approach, and innovative and proactive technology practices are essential factors for professional services firms considering an IT partner. If you are just beginning your search, check out our resource library filled with valuable eBooks, infographics, and videos to help you make an informed decision. 

Looking for a quality managed IT provider? 

designDATA is an MSP that has helped companies stay secure and efficient while achieving IT excellence for over 30 years. We are eager to help professional services organizations reach new heights by keeping their business technology running smoothly. Use your billable hours to help your clients, not troubleshoot technical problems.

Let’s Connect

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Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

DesignDATA
Why MDM is Essential for Managing Apple Devices in the Workplace

Four-minute read

Scooch over, Microsoft – Apple has entered the cubicle.

A few years ago, Macs were a rarity in offices; most professional software was designed to work on Windows machines, giving them a considerable advantage in the business market. Now, everything has changed; iPhones, iPads, and Macbooks are ubiquitous, and for good reason!

People love the Mac operating system and are familiar with how Apple devices work. Apps and business tools are increasingly Mac friendly, and Apple has worked hard to develop and highlight features that boost productivity and simplify IT management.

While implementing Apple products for businesses has been fantastic for boosting creativity, flexibility, and productivity, it’s presented a new challenge for IT teams. These teams must stay on top of managing a plethora of devices while keeping data secure and employees connected.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a must-have tool for an IT team to succeed; whether you’re a small or large business, you must implement the right MDM solution when using Apple products.

Let’s take a look at why an MDM is critical for your business’s management and success.

1. Security

MDM ensures that your mobile device is secure. In today’s world, mobile devices not only enable employees to work from anywhere but also open up new avenues for potential cyber attacks. MDM serves as your team’s first line of defense, maintaining company data security across all mobile devices.

Apple devices are equipped with a host of built-in security features such as FileVault encryption, Gatekeeper software verification, and TouchID. However, these features can be easily disabled, leaving your devices vulnerable. A robust MDM solution ensures these security features are not only enabled but also functioning correctly across all devices. It allows you to block specific software, disable camera access, distribute security patches, and mandate the regular creation of complex passcodes by employees.

Moreover, MDM provides a safety net for those inevitable instances when mobile devices are lost by employees or stolen. In such scenarios, your MDM solution steps in to locate the lost device, locking it until it’s recovered or remotely locking it and wiping all data, ensuring your essential data remains protected.

2. Productivity

Employee productivity is for business owners what security is for IT teams: top priority.  With cloud-based applications and mobile devices, people can work from anywhere.  This results in increased flexibility and higher productivity, but only if employees can access the data and applications they need.

MDM solutions allow your employees to securely access your company network, data, and applications from anywhere, including custom apps that may not be available in Apple’s App Store. MDM identifies critical applications and deploys them to your users.

Plus, you can even create lists of applications specific to certain job roles, departments, or users and allow access to those who need them. In this way, employees have access to the applications they need without being overwhelmed by the ones they don’t.

If an employee needs a new application, MDM makes it quick and easy to grant access and push the application to the correct device. This is quickly done through custom settings in the App Store. As well, MDM makes it simple to share important information between mobile device users. Thus, implementing a robust MDM solution is one of the best ways to foster productivity in your company’s remote work environment.

3. MDM simplifies device management

Whether your company provides Apple devices to employees or lets them use their own through a BYOD program, managing every device can be challenging.

MDM simplifies this process and offers workflows that let your team quickly set up new devices, enroll new users, reset old devices, install updates, and troubleshoot IT issues.  You can monitor devices to make sure that policies are being followed and employees are avoiding risky cyber-behaviour. You can also control access to company networks so that only approved devices can connect.

A good MDM solution allows you to monitor your devices remotely. You can quickly push settings, updates, and IT fixes to devices using over-the-air (OTA) distribution, and your team can detect issues as they arrive, having solutions already prepared.

Top-notch MDM solutions also allow you to implement time-saving practices like “zero-touch” deployment and custom scripting that enable you to customize your devices and modify account permissions as needed.

Truly – the time and cost savings realized from simplified device management are priceless.

Choosing Your MDM Solution

It’s clear that MDM is critical for managing Apple products; now to choose which solution is right for you. There are many MDM solutions on the market, and it’s integral to choose one that works with your priorities. Consider things like value, device compatibility, security features, application management, and support features.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, don’t worry. We are here to help.

Visit our resource page for additional information like comprehensive guide on Apple IT support for macOS and iOS.

For tailored support and IT solutions optimized for Apple products, connect with our experts. We’ll guide you to the ideal MDM solution to secure and enhance productivity while managing devices with ease.

Ready to elevate your Apple ecosystem?

Let’s Connect

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