BELLEVUE, Wash., June 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parallels today released Parallels® Mac Management 8.5 (parallels.com/mac-management) for Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly known as Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager or SCCM). Version 8.5 adds the ability for enterprises to manage iPad and iPhone mobile devices at no cost until the end of 2020 in addition to the Mac device management features it already brings to Microsoft SCCM. It is the only solution that enables SCCM management and central inventory of all Apple devices—along with Windows devices—through the Microsoft SCCM control panel, eliminating the need for a separate expensive infrastructure and resources to manage Apple devices.
Parallels Mac Management supports mobile device management (MDM) on Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) for improved security, stability and scalability. Administrators can now also deploy the Parallels MDM server and internet-based client management (IBCM) proxy on one host in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) for streamlined efficiency.
“As Microsoft SCCM and Endpoint Configuration Manager continue to evolve, IT managers need tools to properly integrate management of all devices—Mac, iPad, iPhone and PC—securely and cost-effectively on one infrastructure,” said Nick Dobrovolskiy, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Support at Parallels. “Parallels Mac Management 8.5 blurs the lines in IT infrastructure management by bringing iPhone, iPad and Mac devices into Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager on premises. IT admins can now easily enroll, manage and secure more devices than ever on one infrastructure.”
User-Initiated MDM Enrollment of Apple Devices
Parallels Mac Management for Microsoft SCCM already provided inventory reporting on Mac devices. Now version 8.5 enables IT admins to make iOS mobile devices and macOS devices accountable through user-initiated enrollment. Managers simply send a link to users so they can manually enroll their iOS and macOS devices into Microsoft Endpoint Management with MDM for improved security and productivity, freeing admins from having to manually enroll each mobile device.
Reporting Apple Mobile Device Inventory
Once iOS devices are enrolled, Parallels Mac Management can start collecting device inventory information on a predefined schedule and feed that into SCCM. Admins can use this data to generate reports and create targeted device collections to get a more comprehensive and detailed inventory of the Apple devices in their network. Now SCCM admins can have one true central inventory of all Apple and Windows devices on their network—laptops, desktops, phones and tablets—through a single pane of glass.
Deploying Configuration Profiles to Apple iOS Devices
Corporate regulations for endpoint enrollment are becoming more stringent. Fortunately, SCCM managers can now configure settings in advance and then use Parallels Mac Management 8.5 to deploy configuration profiles to a collection of Apple iOS devices in their network. These settings typically include network and security policies, so these profiles can streamline user and device onboarding, as well as enforce security policies and regulatory compliance requirements. Managers can configure profiles for iOS mobile devices using the familiar workflow through SCCM that is typically used for Mac computers.
Parallels Mac Management 8.5 Enables Deployment of Configuration Profiles for:
- Device passcode policies – These are passcode restrictions that help in locking down Apple mobile devices.
- Remote lock-and-wipe – This is handy when a device is stolen or lost and sensitive business data might be compromised. Remote lock-and-wipe can eliminate the risk of a data leak.
- Network and WiFi connection policies – This makes it easy for iOS users to connect to the corporate network.
- VPN profiles – Similar to network connection profiles, VPN profiles make it easy for users to connect to your VPN and access corporate resources from home.
- Device certificates – These are digital certificates used in establishing connections to a network service or WiFi access point in your network.
Uninstall Apps and Volume Purchase Program (VPP) Apps from Mac Devices
Parallels Mac Management 8.5 introduces the ability to uninstall applications, including Volume Purchase Program (VPP) applications, from Mac devices. This ability improves device compliance management by making it easy to remove previously deployed applications—and even unnecessary or forbidden applications—from corporate Mac devices.
Availability and Pricing
Parallels Mac Management 8.5 is available today, with pricing starting at US$45 annually per Mac. Its features and details are available online at parallels.com/mac-management. Customers who purchase Parallels Mac Management in 2020 will enjoy the new additional iPad and iPhone management features for free until the end of 2020. Parallels Mac Management will have an increased price point in 2021, but current and new customers in 2020 maintain their current pricing moving forward.
Additionally, Parallels® Desktop for Mac Business Edition (parallels.com/business), the simplest and most secure way to provide Windows applications to employees with Mac computers, can be added to Parallels Mac Management.
About Parallels
Parallels is a global leader in cross-platform solutions that make it possible and simple for businesses and individuals to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers take advantage of the best technology out there, whether it’s Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or the cloud. Parallels solves complex engineering and user-experience problems by making it simple and cost-effective for businesses and individual customers to use applications wherever they may be—local, remote, in the private datacenter or in the cloud. Parallels, a business unit of Corel, has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Visit parallels.com/about for more information.
About Corel
Corel products enable millions of connected knowledge workers around the world to do great work faster. Offering some of the industry's best-known software brands, we give individuals and teams the power to create, collaborate and deliver impressive results. Our success is driven by an unwavering commitment to deliver a broad portfolio of innovative applications—including CorelDRAW®,ClearSlide®, MindManager®, Parallels® and WinZip®—to inspire users and help them achieve their goals. To learn more about Corel, please visit corel.com.
Media Contacts
John Uppendahl, Vice President of Communications, john@parallels.com, +1 425 282-1734
Ryan Donough, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, ryan.donough@cohnwolfe.com, +1 415 403-8311
© 2020 Parallels International GmbH. Parallels, and the Parallels logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Parallels International GmbH in Canada, the United States and/or other countries. Corel, CorelDRAW, MindManager, and WinZip are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation in Canada, the United States, and/or other countries. ClearSlide is a trademark or registered trademark of ClearSlide Inc. in Canada, the United States, and/or other countries. Apple, iPad, iPhone, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Patents: www.parallels.com/ca/about/legal.
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