Jamf brings Android into its Apple MDM orbit

Jamf (Nasdaq:JAMF) wants to make enterprise support for Android as easy as it has become for Apple and plans to expand into Android device management beginning in July, the company said.

The new support will be featured within the Jamf for Mobile solution, with the idea behind this integration to make it much easier for Apple-based enterprises to also support Android devices in use alongside their iPhone, iPad, and Mac fleets.

Raising all the boats

Enterprise tech will be able to manage Apple and Android platforms from within the same Jamf console they already use. The company stressed that the addition of Android support should improve its offer to Apple-based businesses.

“For years, we’ve helped organizations do more with mobile by focusing on the best platform for work: Apple,” said Henry Patel, chief strategy officer at Jamf. “By adding basic Android enrollment to Jamf for Mobile, we’re enabling Apple-first organizations to eliminate friction — so a few Android devices don’t stand in the way of delivering exceptional Apple experiences at scale.” 

Patel stressed that the upcoming Android support should be considered a positive additive to the company’s existing Apple focus, rather than reflecting any thawing ardor for the company’s computing platforms. “This addition helps us support customers who primarily use Apple, but also have some Android in their environment — without forcing them into a one-size-fits-all UEM platform,” he said.

I expect Jamf wants to approach that challenge with its customary “consumer simple” mindset, intentionally ensuring that supporting Android alongside Apple creates no additional friction and is convincingly easy to use. “Jamf’s commitment to Apple remains unwavering,” he added.

Apple MDM has become a diverse market

It is, of course, also true that the Apple device management space is becoming increasingly competitive, with many new players achieving market traction. Hexnode, Fleet, and others each desire clear product positioning to help their services stand out. And while the Apple-in-the-enterprise market is growing swiftly enough to sustain multiple providers, Jamf is clearly not blind to the reality that several competitors now offer support across multiple platforms — some support every platform.

Not that this reality appears to have dented Jamf much. 

The company’s most recent financial report revealed a 10% increase in revenue, exceeding estimates to reach $167.6 million for $37.6 million non-GAAP operating income. Highlights in that quarter included the acquisition of Identity Automation and international revenue growth of 16%. The company expects FY 2025 revenue to increase 10%-11% year-on-year. 

From the perspective of the Apple MDM industry, Jamf doesn’t seem to be under pressure — yet. But as one of the premium Apple MDM services, the company must continue to polish its offerings to help maintain its leadership reputation. 

Building reputations, one announcement at a time

In business, halos seldom shine without a little bit of help, and the addition of Android support to the service Jamf provides to enterprises managing 1,000+ devices is a convenience for those managing diverse fleets. It’s a way the company can continue to help its products stand out.

That also means Jamf won’t be alone in making service optimization news in the coming months; the all-important enterprise buying season is upon us, which means I expect most credible Apple-in-the-enterprise service providers to make announcements in the coming weeks. 

Looking forward, Apple’s enterprise partners will also be anxious to hear about any business-focused announcements at the company’s forthcoming Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) next month. Will Apple fix some of the pain points, such as more automated deployment tools, enhancements to Declarative Device Management, or introduce more granular controls to limit or constrain use of AI on managed devices?

Only time — and Apple’s keynote and developer’s presentations — will tell. Meanwhile, Android-for-enterprise evangelists can now look forward to their devices gaining a little more credibility, thanks to Apple’s long-time enterprise deployment partner. 

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