JAMF Software inks deal with IBM to help with Mac installations

Minneapolis-based JAMF Software will pick up business as the use of Apple products grows in schools, governments and workplaces.

IBM Corp. is including JAMF's Casper Suite in a new bundle of cloud-based information technology services to help clients quickly and securely integrate Macs and other Apple products into their information technology systems.

"This is an alliance unlike anything we've ever had before," said Dean Hager, CEO of JAMF Software.

"Today's announcement is a powerful testament to the growing demand for Apple technology in the enterprise and to the strong relationship between IBM and JAMF to help organizations inventory, deploy and secure their Apple devices," Hager said. "This is a great opportunity for us to work with IBM in helping businesses and other large organizations succeed with Apple."

Shipments of Macs are growing faster than the industry average, and the Mac has outgrown the PC industry every year for the past decade, according to IBM.

JAMF's Casper Suite software helps information technology administrators maintain, update and ensure that Apple products will run at optimal performance across a corporate computer network. The software works across Macs, MacBooks, MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, Mac Minis, iMacs and Mac Pros.

JAMF had been helping with IBM's internal deployment of Apple products over the past year or so. Hager says the Mac@IBM program is one of the largest deployments of Apple products ever. The success led to IBM and Apple expanding the program, now called MobileFirst Managed Mobility Services, to offer similar expertise to clients outside of IBM.

Hager said he cannot yet quantify exactly what the partnership means to JAMF because it is early in the game but believes the combination of Apple products, IBM's knowledge and network of consultants and JAMF's experience in Mac deployments creates a complete solution for customers.

Patrick Kennedy • 612-673-7926