Is the Mac ready for the Enterprise?

As you may recall, Apple sent me a beautiful new iMac to play with and test in the hopes I would 'convert' to the Apple world... or at least be more aware about what is happening in the Apple world. For someone like me, the author of "Tricks of the Vista Masters " and speaker for Microsoft's TechEd Conference... it may be too late. But I sure am tempted after two weeks of playing with this system. Here is what I have discovered so far, which may be an eye opener for Windows admins and users:

Apple doesn't license the software out. In other words, the hardware and software come from Apple. You don't buy OSX and install it on whatever system you choose. Now, this is amazing to me because it ensures quality and is a smart move on Apple's part. How many times have people complained about Windows when in reality they installed it on a machine with parts from who knows where, using the bare minimal to run it (if even the bare minimal in terms of memory and processor speed)? Apple takes the guess work out of it by ensuring quality on both the hardware and software level. (Of course, companies like Dell and HP would be out of business if Microsoft didn't lease its software, so we appreciate the creation of new jobs by what Microsoft has done.)

I've also learned the secret to Apple's OSX naming (for those of you Windows users who are confused by the different cat names tossed around). OS 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 (the latest 3 releases) are panther, tiger and leopard. What will be next? Maybe cheetah (although this might have been 10.1), lion or bobcat?

Ok, back to the question at hand... is the Mac ready for the Enterprise? There are three considerations in my book... training costs, hardware costs and integration with servers.

Training Costs: This may be a difficult sale. Users going from XP to Vista are crying because the start button is round now... how ready are they for a Mac? A whole new OS... new mouse (although you can use a standard mouse I found) new names for programs and new look? They will need training to feel comfortable. For individuals... Apple has stores set up with Genius Bars where you can go and learn tons of stuff for practically nothing. I believe it is a 100 for the year type arrangement. On the enterprise level with 10's, 100's, 1000's of users... that may require a bit more effort. But... many users will embrace the new OS because frankly... it's beautiful. It has such a cool futuristic feel to it, in much the same way the iPhone wins peoples hearts because it is feature rich and sleek.

Hardware Costs: I haven't done all the price comparisons, or priced out discount systems with Apple so I cannot fully say the Mac is going to be a more expensive change. However, Mac Minis are in the 500 to 600 range (and you have to add a monitor/keyboard/mouse) and there are some additional software you may need to purchase to get it enterprise ready (which we will discuss in a moment)... so my personal belief is that the cost will be a bit more per system than deploying Windows boxes. However, these systems hold their value longer. That is something many Windows admins don't consider. A PC loses value from day one. A Mac retains value and doesn't require a tremendous amount of effort for upgrades. Torquato Tasso, a well-known web developer with iSite5 said "an average Mac notebook or desktop can upgrade to Leopard with no problems at all... nor do they need any hardware changes" plus the upgrade cost him a little more than 100 for the software. What a huge difference for those of us upgrading from XP to Vista. We need much better hardware and the cost of the OS is off the charts. AND... while Mac users happily went to Leopard with smiles... Windows users are on the verge of a full riot over Vista.

Integration with Servers: Yes... to fully endorse a Mac in the enterprise, they have to be controllable. That implies being able to connect with a directory AND be managed through policies. Many enterprise environments are using Microsoft Servers with Active Directory and Group Policy. You can utilize an Apple Server too for a variety of reasons... but that is a different discussion altogether. So... how does the Mac do in this regard? On the matter of connecting with AD and having identity management and file server access and so forth... no problem. On the matter of Group Policy control through AD... on it's own? Not good. However, here is where Centrify and other GP-related products come to the rescue. You CAN control Mac through policies. No, not quite like an XP or Vista box... but enough to say the Mac is ready for the enterprise. For more on Macs and GP, see my next post.

I give Apple and the Mac my thumbs up! I've been impressed from day one with my new iMac. And even though I've had to learn a lot, it's been fun! And I think that is what I've enjoyed the most... IT HAS BEEN FUN... just like when I was a kid playing the Hitchhikers Guide text-based game on my neighbors Apple.

I'm a Windows guy. I love Microsoft and I'm loyal. But I think it is ok to acknowledge that Apple is worth investigating going forward. There is nothing wrong with a little healthy competition right?