Comprehensive support for Apple systems and devices
With surveys showing that 68% of businesses are willing to allow their employees to choose Mac® systems, Apple® hardware is becoming more and more popular in the enterprise. While matching PCs for general office use, Apple systems and Mac OS® X excel in video and graphic environments. They are extremely flexible and can be configured to run software from all providers, yet they offer a lower total cost of ownership than their PC counterparts.
Your SARCOM Account Executive stands ready to discuss the procurement, deployment, integration and ongoing maintenance of the diverse lineup of innovative Apple systems.
Hardware Configuration
Thanks to SARCOM’s relationships with Apple and other vendors, we can provide the full line of Apple Macintosh® hardware including the Mac mini, the MacBook®, the MacBook Pro, the iMac®, and the Mac Pro, along with upgrades and add-ons. As with any other line of products, we can fully configure Apple hardware and apply asset tracking tags so that your deployment is ready for use.
Installation and Configuration
Using various tools like DeployStudio, System Image Utility, Jamf’s Casper and Netboot, we provide custom images with auditable install logs to track all additions to the base system, such as applications, users and system configurations. Our Apple systems can be configured to exacting specifications and fully approved by you before mass deployment begins.
Directory Integration
Systems running the Mac OS X operating system will work in any directory services environment. Depending on your needs, we can configure systems to work on their own, manage them from a Mac-based server, or bind them to a third party directory service. The options within an Active Directory or Linux/UNIX environment range from simply allowing network logins or managing Mac systems with a supplemental Mac OS X Server to extending the Active Directory or OpenLDAP Server to support Macs natively.
In any case, SARCOM can enforce MCX policies that are the equivalent of Active Directory Group Policies. These limit what applications can be run and who can log in on which computers, as well as enforcing security policies like password control and screen saver locks.
Compatibility
Mac OS X systems can run most major applications natively, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with the latest version of Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac, which now offers an integrated Outlook feature. They also support the Adobe Creative Suite and FileMaker®, as well as a huge portfolio of open source options. Apple even publishes a number of their own titles, such as iLife®, iWork® and the Final Cut Studio® media creation suite.
For specialized applications that do not run natively, there are a number of virtualization options from VMware and Parallels. They allow clients to run various versions of Windows and their native applications side-by-side with Mac‑OS‑X applications.
Maintenance
In conjunction with your staff, we can use Apple Remote Desktop™ and Directory Service integration to enforce policies, manage upgrades, and push configuration changes to client workstations. This can include security and password policies, application configurations, and software updates. Clients running Mac OS X Server can take advantage of the software update service to more readily apply updates and to control which ones are available to their users.
Managed Services
We can deploy Apple Certified staff on-site at your location to supplement your IT staff. All of these Managed Services staff members have earned their ACSP (Apple Certified Support Professional) and ACTC (Apple Certified Technical Coordinator) certifications. ACSP ensures competence in client support while ACTC does the same for server support.
At least 25% of the Tier 1 support staff at our 24/7/365 U.S.-based help desk have earned their ACSP, and six of them have their ACTC. The Tier 2 and 3 support is made up of ACSAs (Apple Certified System Administrators) who have earned the highest level of Apple Technical Certification, and some of them are also Xsan® Certified Administrators.
SARCOM can supplement Apple’s AppleCare® extended warranty to provide faster turnarounds on questions and software issues while still taking advantage of the hardware repairs provided for by the agreement.
Retirement
As with other types of systems, SARCOM can assist with rotating down aging equipment to less demanding tasks and their eventual sales, donation or recycling. We apply our standard data security policies to Apple systems including stringent NSA and DoD standards for hard drive erasure.
Xsan
Xsan® is Apple’s high-performance storage and file sharing technology geared towards video and audio production. This package can also be used for large shared storage that can be made accessible by any network client. SARCOM offers the full Xsan package of hardware, software, setup and support. We have multiple Apple Certified Xsan Administrators SARCOM delivers true Apple innovation on staff including Robert Kite, Ph.D. and author of the book “Xsan‑2‑Administration.”
iOS
Apple’s iOS devices such as the iPhone®, iPod® and iPad® are among the fastest-selling devices in the industry, and IT departments need assistance in managing these popular devices. They can be configured and deployed with many of the same options as full-fledged computers. SARCOM can enforce your policies on these devices and provide users with needed applications.
Training
With two Apple Certified Trainers on staff, we can provide technical training and certification tests internally as well as for our clients and their IT staff. These classes can range from an introduction to Mac OS X, including client and server configuration basics, to advanced topics such as directory services, deployment, security and mobility.
Your Partner for Apple Solutions
Call your SARCOM Account Manager to discuss the wide range of Apple products and how we can help you easily integrate them into your organization.
Unbeatable Credentials
- Apple Corporate Reseller
- Apple Authorized Service Provider
- Apple Certified Product Professional
- Apple Certified Support Professional
- Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
- Apple Certified Specialist - Directory Services
- Apple Certified Specialist - Deployment
- Apple Certified Specialist - Security & Mobility
- Apple Certified System Administrator
- Apple Certified Xsan Adminsitrator
- Apple Certified Trainer
Apple, the Apple logo, Final Cut Studio, iLife, iMac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iWork, Mac, MacBook, Macintosh, Mac OS, and Xsan are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Remote Desktop is a trademark of Apple Inc. AppleCare is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. FileMaker is a registered trademark of FileMaker, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
Click here to download the Apple for the Enterprise brochure.
