Whether you are an IT professional or maintain your office’s technology, you know that the ability to enroll devices and purchase applications in volume can feel like a life saver.

Apple Business Manager, combined with Mobile Device Management (MDM), allows IT to manage content, devices and roles from one portal. IT teams and businesses can automate their device deployment, app deployment and purchasing, and content management and deployment.

Apple Business manager combines what were formerly known as Apple’s Volume Purchasing Program (VPP) and its Automated Device Enrollment program into one consolidated service. This allows you to automatically deploy Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple TV devices directly to users — configured with settings, security controls, apps and books.

• Automated device enrollment: automates Mobile Device Management (MDM) enrollment and simplifies initial device setup. You can supervise devices during activation without touching them, and start MDM enrollment for ongoing management.
• Volume purchasing allows you to buy content, configure automatic device enrollment in your mobile device management (MDM) solution.
• Apple Business Manager incorporates both of these former programs together and also allows you to create Managed Apple IDs, a special account type that allows you to share your Apple Business Manager account with others in your organization— eliminating dependence on personal Apple IDs for work purposes.

You have a few options as you consider how to approach Apple Business Manager. First, if your organization is already enrolled in Apple’s deployment programs (formerly called VPP and DEP), you are able to use your existing tokens until they expire.

Apple has made it clear that Apple Business Manager is the best platform for businesses using their products going forward. The migration to Apple Business Manager is free, fast and easy. Once complete, your new Apple Business Manager account will show your server tokens and other associated content. Begin your upgrade now.

Note: Once you make the upgrade to Apple Business Manager, you will no longer have access to the Apple deployment program website.

If you are starting from scratch, enrolling into Apple Business Manager is relatively quick and easy. Any business is eligible to enroll in Apple Business Manager at business.apple.com.

To get started, you will need to complete the online enrollment process by providing information including name, phone number and a valid D-U-N-S number for your company.