The device management provider Fleet has recently broadened its horizons by incorporating Windows into its repertoire, complementing its existing capabilities to handle Linux and Apple gadgets from a unified interface. This evolution arrives amidst the industry's ongoing adjustment to Broadcom's takeover of VMware, a transition that's stirring the pot for numerous IT administrators. In light of this, I had a conversation with Fleet's CEO, Mike McNeil, and Customer Solutions Architect, Brock Walters, to understand their strategy better.
Apple's presence in the corporate sector is more than just talk; it's making significant strides, especially in the U.S., where it's carving out a substantial portion of a market once dominated by Windows.
"It's undeniable—Apple is making waves in the corporate world," remarked Carolina Milanesi, President and Principal Analyst at Creative Strategies, echoing a sentiment widely shared by analysts. Apple, particularly with its high-powered M3 MacBook Pro, is making notable inroads into the premium laptop segment.
This shift is opening up vast opportunities for Mobile Device Management (MDM) vendors. The expanding array of MDM solutions indicates a market more expansive than previously perceived. Rewind a decade, and you'd likely hear that a couple of MDM products would suffice. But times have changed.
The trend towards a multi-platform IT landscape is also prompting some industry consolidation, exemplified by the Broadcom/VMware deal. However, not all feedback to this change is positive, as McNeil shared, "Post-acquisition, we're hearing administrators are on the lookout for new solutions."
Fleet proposes to be that alternative. It champions an open-source approach to multi-platform MDM, catering to both enterprise and educational administrators. The goal is to utilize open-source flexibility to forge a device management solution that seamlessly integrates across all major operating systems, now including Windows.
Brock detailed their advancements, "We've managed to introduce features like remote lock and remote wipe on Linux and have also integrated BitLocker for disk encryption and support for Windows Autopilot."
Of course, such a solution won't suit everyone. Yet, for some, the ability to manage various devices via familiar open-source tools is pivotal. It addresses the diverse needs within corporate IT where some might prefer Windows, others Mac, and some might lean towards Linux. While multiplatform device management solutions do exist, they might not fully meet the specific demands as dedicated solutions would.
McNeil elaborated on this challenge, "IT departments are grappling with diverse requirements. For instance, you might have 50 engineers who are devoted to their Linux laptops and are key influencers, yet the IT department also needs to ensure compliance and pass audits."
Brock highlighted the complexities in transitioning between MDM platforms. For example, in the wake of the VMware acquisition, his then-company sought to migrate to a unified solution across all supported platforms. Yet, the diverse priorities, budgets, and dynamics within teams made reaching a consensus challenging, often leaving senior management oblivious to the intricacies of such transitions.
"It was chaotic due to conflicting priorities," he noted. "However, if you can find a solution that resonates with both engineers and business leaders, these transitions can become more manageable."
Transitioning between device management platforms is inherently complex, involving numerous devices across various platforms, all in active use. Ideally, one would invest generously to overcome these challenges, but in reality, IT departments must navigate these complexities within tight budgets and timelines.
Fleet believes its open-source foundation positions it as a compelling choice for businesses looking to manage multiple platforms. It advocates for a unified solution, particularly as it integrates with osquery and the GitOps workflow, potentially easing cost management while offering deep device insights. Fleet's compatibility with leading configuration management platforms, like Chef, Ansible, and Puppet, along with native MDM functionalities of the platforms it supports, further strengthen its proposition.
Fleet envisions a scenario where seasoned IT admins leverage a familiar tool to access detailed information about their managed devices. "You can tailor queries to promptly identify and address vulnerabilities in Windows devices, using your configuration management tools or Fleet's remote script execution capabilities," they explained. "It's about merging MDM's core strengths with osquery's analytical prowess."
Fleet prides itself on fusing open-source flexibility with existing platform-based MDM APIs, aiming to deliver a consistent user experience while allowing adaptability to meet IT's specific needs. This approach also empowers developers to customize the software, offering insights into versioning and change management.
McNeil sees Fleet as an ideal solution for managing those specific device clusters within a company's broader array, which might not warrant a separate product investment. This perspective is particularly relevant when considering management solutions for Windows and Mac devices. Microsoft Endpoint Manager, including Intune, is a popular choice, but its dominance is waning due to shifting platform usage trends in the corporate realm.
Consider a large enterprise rapidly integrating Macs through an Apple-at-work program. "Would such a company want to invest in a Microsoft solution for managing its Mac fleet? Is upgrading to an E5 license justified?" questioned McNeil.
Another compelling argument for Fleet is its open-source nature. "If you've never tackled an MDM migration, you've likely heard it's no walk in the park," McNeil stated. "But we're committed to simplifying it. Our goal is to streamline the data import and export processes.
"We're not in the business of locking you into a specific modus operandi. We couldn't, even if we wanted to. It's the essence of open source."
