Managing Apple Mac devices and macOS is a pain point for many MSPs. With the growing popularity of Macs in the business world, MSPs have been looking to solve this problem for a while.
Companies like Jamf and Addigy off remote monitoring and management software for Macs, but those platforms lack Windows device support. In my personal opinion, many MSPs don't want to jump between management platforms, especially when it might not be clear right away which type of device a user is running. Attempting to find the user's computer through one platform, only to have to open another is time-consuming and leads to longer call times.
In contrast, Splashtop is one of the companies hoping to bridge this gap by newly adding Mac support to its Remote Support Premium platform. The tool has been allowing IT providers the ability to remote control Mac's for several years, however, this marks the first opportunity for them to manage the devices more behind the scenes. In addition to remote access for support and management features, Remote Support Premium also includes the ability to transfer files, view multiple monitors, remotely wake the computer or reboot it, manage users and more.
Other management features include:
- Configurable Alerts –set up alerts in customized combinations to monitor computer status, software installation, memory usage, and more
- Remote Command – enables users to execute commands on a remote computer
- System Inventory – displays and reports changes in system, hardware, and software inventory
While the company might not be as well known as some of the other remote access platforms like LogMeIn, GoToAssist or TeamViewer, Splashtop still boasts over 20 million users and 500 million sessions connected. Additionally, the platform also includes the ability to remotely access iOS and Android devices to provide support. With this new addition of behind the scenes management for Mac devices, it may not be difficult to assume that mobile device management may be next on the company's agenda.
While mobile devices are quickly becoming main drivers for many business professionals on the go, the ability to create alerts and send commands to mobile devices will soon become a needed service as well.
