Jamf Pro vs Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager comparison

Jamf Pro is a mobile device management software designed to help organizations and businesses automate Apple device handling-related workflows and processes. It features zero-touch deployment that enables users to automatically enroll new Apple devices, and also configure and deploy these devices swiftly and efficiently. It comes with inventory management capabilities, Apple mobile device management features, and an enterprise app store. Jamf Pro also allows users to deploy and access their mobile apps licenses in bulk. When it comes to using the app store, end users don’t need to ask for assistance from helpdesk agents in order to download, install, and update applications.

Jamf Pro Features

Jamf Pro has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

• Zero-touch deployment
• Management of Apple devices
• Security for app devices
• App Store for self-service enterprise
• Smart targeting
• Reports of inventory
• Smart Groups
• Preconfiguration of apps
• App distribution
• Mac imaging
• Upgrades to app and OS
• Management of IT inventory
• Device enrollment (user initiated)
• Purchasing & license management

Jamf Pro Benefits
There are many benefits to implementing Jamf Pro. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

• Deployment: Fully-customizable onboarding experience. Provision the perfect Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, all deployed seamlessly with the workflow of your choice.

• Device management: Use configuration profiles, scripts, and policies to make your Apple devices function exactly as needed. Move beyond simple troubleshooting by automating management with patented Smart Groups technology. This is a powerful way to trigger real-time alerts and actions from inventory data.

• Application management: Streamline app management with bulk purchasing and deployment. The solution integrates with Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager, allowing you to assign apps to users or devices without Apple ID. Deploy apps from the App Store, B2B App Store, or your own in-house apps.

• Apple device security: Protect Apple devices by leveraging native security features. Manage device settings and configurations, restrict malware and patch all of your Apple devices without user interaction.

• Self-service access: Give your users access to a one-stop shop for trusted apps, company resources, and shortcuts for troubleshooting tasks like password resets.

• Inventory: Automatically gather user, hardware, software, and security device data or customize inventory specifications. The dynamic Smart Groups feature keeps track of everything for you, including software versions and warranty expiration dates.

Reviews from Real Users

Jamf Pro stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Some of these include its app deployment, its easy installation, and the fact that it’s lightweight but powerful. PeerSpot users take note of the advantages of these features in their reviews:

An IT Support Specialist at Visby Medical writes, “The first most valuable feature I found was the ability to simply push out applications to devices, Mac or iPads/iPhones. It's as easy as procuring the licensing for the apps and then setting it to the volume purchasing back in Jamf.”

Another reviewer, a Desktop Engineer at Kroger, notes, “The self-service portal to share scripts and other tasks that have extremely minimized the need for calls to our support teams, or even sharing the applications we package and allowing users to pick and choose what apps they need or want, instead of just blanket installing everything from our old environment.”

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM, formerly SCCM or System Center Configuration Manager) is a software management suite that allows users to manage large numbers of Windows-based computers and servers.

Configuration Manager features software distribution, operating system deployment, remote control, network protection, security management, patch management, and hardware and software inventory, among other services. It allows you to set configuration and security policies, keep your software up-to-date, and monitor your system status while giving your employees access to corporate applications on whatever devices they choose.

Configuration Manager allows you to manage computers using macOS, Windows UNIX, or Linux, and mobile devices running iOS, Windows, or Android operating systems. It can be integrated with Microsoft Intune, allowing you to manage computers connected to a corporate network.

With Configuration Manager, you can manage PCs and servers, keeping software up-to-date, setting configuration and security policies, and monitoring system status while giving your employees access to corporate applications on the devices that they choose.

Benefits and Features

• Proactively manage all device life cycles, starting from purchase all the way to retirement.
• Automatically deploy software as well as printers to devices, using a common software library.
• Deploy upgrades and patches to your operating system.
• Ensure that all devices are patched, encrypted, and secured in compliance with security best practices.
• Provide mobile device management functionality, which includes the ability to reboot and/or lock devices remotely.
• Provide end users with “self-service” so that they can update machines when it is convenient for them.

Reviews from Real Users:

Users of MECM like that it is stable and flexible. Patching is one of its most useful features, although users cite many other features as useful as well. One user stated that "It does what you need it to do, and it's a one-stop-shop for the company and for all your deployments." Overall, “the entire solution, from end to end, is excellent.”