Managing macOS applications in enterprise environments has traditionally been a complex and time-consuming task for IT teams. The process often involves manually tracking software versions, packaging applications for deployment, configuring necessary permissions, and ensuring consistent installation and updates across all devices. This manual approach not only demands significant resources but also introduces potential security vulnerabilities when applications are not promptly updated.
To address these challenges, Addigy has introduced its Prebuilt App Catalog, a solution designed to automate the deployment and management of macOS applications across large-scale Apple device fleets. This catalog offers a curated selection of commonly used applications that can be deployed and updated without the need for scripting or manual configuration. Each application within the catalog comes prepackaged with all required device management profiles, including system extensions and Privacy Preferences Policy Control settings, ensuring seamless integration and compliance.
Jason Dettbarn, Founder and CEO of Addigy, highlighted the benefits of this new offering:
> Many IT teams spend inordinate amounts of time trying to manage macOS applications. With apps updating on their own schedules, the need to track down the latest versions, write deployment scripts, and handle distracting pop-ups while ensuring user permissions, can seem never-ending. Now, with Addigy’s prebuilt apps, internal IT and MSPs have the flexibility to just ‘set and forget’ — confident users have updated applications that meet security and compliance requirements, without manual effort or scripting.
The Prebuilt App Catalog is tailored for both internal IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs). It features intuitive search and filter tools, enabling administrators to quickly locate and deploy necessary applications. Admins have the option to deploy specific application versions or enable auto-updates, which check for the latest releases every 30 minutes. An Update Only mode is also available, allowing Addigy to update existing applications on a device, even if they were not originally installed through Addigy.
To ensure compliance and minimize disruptions to user productivity, the catalog includes scheduling capabilities for deployments and enforces update deadlines. For organizations managing multiple groups or clients, Addigy supports inheritance and overrides, allowing for a global policy structure with the flexibility to make exceptions as needed.
Early adopters have expressed enthusiasm for the Prebuilt App Catalog. Tim Pearson of CreativeTechs shared his experience:
> It’s magical. It makes me want to do a dance and jump around the yard!
Addigy plans to expand the catalog by adding new applications weekly, based on customer feedback and security considerations. This continuous enhancement aims to provide organizations with a comprehensive and up-to-date toolset for efficient macOS application management.
