January 2026 Summaries

Fleet is pioneering a modern approach to device management by offering an open, GitOps-driven architecture that is gaining recognition from industry leaders such as Gartner, which highlights the platform's ability to manage complex environments through precision, programmability, and scalability. Unlike traditional endpoint management suites, Fleet's architecture facilitates real-time data access and transparency, allowing IT teams to manage device states as they would cloud infrastructure—via code, version control, and CI/CD pipelines. This approach is particularly appealing to large organizations with unique compliance needs, as Fleet's solution is described as "heavily customizable." Gartner's endorsement, including Fleet's honorable mention in the 2026 Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Management Tools and its listing as a representative vendor in the 2025 Market Guide, underscores the platform's scalability and open-source extensibility, which contribute to significant business value. As Fleet manages over 2 million endpoints and supports more than 1,300 customers, its model is increasingly being recognized as the future of device management for enterprises seeking automation and transparency in IT operations.

Linux, initially developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 as an open-source operating system kernel, has grown significantly in enterprise usage despite early skepticism from corporate giants like Microsoft. By 2025, Linux desktops have surpassed a 5% market share, marking a critical turning point similar to macOS's rise in the mid-2000s. This growth has been fueled by the end-of-life for Windows 10, the shift toward cloud-based and SaaS workflows, and the increasing necessity for secure, open-source systems in light of rising cybersecurity threats. Linux's integration into cloud-native development platforms and the increasing reliance on it by developers and IT professionals have contributed to its adoption. However, as Linux devices become more prevalent, they also become more attractive targets for cyberattacks, necessitating robust management and security measures comparable to those for macOS and Windows. While tools like Ansible, Puppet, and OpenSCAP exist for Linux management, they require significant expertise, and mainstream solutions like Intune offer limited support. The growing demand for comprehensive Linux management solutions is prompting the market to expand, with companies like Fleet providing open-source-based management tools.

Managing large-scale iPad deployments requires an effective Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, as manual management is impractical due to challenges such as configuration drift, inconsistent security, and lost devices. MDM automates the enforcement of settings and security policies on iPads, offering features like Shared iPad mode for multiple users and Single App Mode for kiosk settings, which are crucial for sectors such as education, healthcare, and retail. Organizations can leverage various deployment models, such as corporate-owned, shared, and kiosk iPads, each supporting different use cases. MDM also facilitates remote configuration, app management, and security measures like remote lock and wipe, ensuring compliance with industry standards like HIPAA in healthcare. The right MDM solution should offer cross-platform support, API integration, and flexible hosting options while balancing ease of use with operational needs. Apple Business and Apple School Manager integration further streamlines the deployment and management process, enabling touchless device setup and ensuring devices are enrolled with the correct profiles. MDM also addresses the complexities of BYOD programs by maintaining a clear boundary between personal and corporate data, thereby enhancing security while respecting user privacy.

Apple Business (AB) is a free service by Apple designed for organizations to manage the provenance and setup of devices purchased from Apple or authorized resellers, enhancing device management through integration with mobile device management (MDM) solutions. By allowing Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), AB enables zero-touch device enrollment workflows, ensuring that devices are fully configured and managed from the first boot without manual intervention. It also includes volume purchasing for apps and books and identity management via Managed Apple Accounts, providing a seamless and efficient method for app distribution and identity control. AB's consolidation of separate programs in 2018 has streamlined operations by offering a single portal for device enrollment, software purchasing, and account provisioning. While not a substitute for an MDM solution, AB complements such systems by automating enrollment and provisioning, thus reducing administrative overhead and increasing deployment efficiency. AB supports vendor flexibility, allowing organizations to switch MDM vendors without disrupting their enrollment infrastructure, and can be integrated with all major MDM solutions, including Fleet. It is especially beneficial for large enterprises and organizations with diverse, global operations, offering scalability and security compliance, while educational institutions should use Apple School Manager (ASM) for features tailored to K-12 and higher education needs.

Apple Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a protocol embedded in Apple's operating systems that enables organizations to remotely manage, configure, and secure Apple devices such as Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. By integrating with Apple Business Manager (ABM) or Apple School Manager (ASM), organizations can achieve zero-touch enrollment, automated provisioning, and comprehensive security enforcement, streamlining device deployment across distributed workforces. MDM allows for the management of institutionally-owned devices, providing complete control and security, and supports BYOD programs by maintaining a separation between work and personal data. It leverages the Apple Push Notification Service to deliver commands and configurations without needing VPNs. Compliance frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS require documented controls, and MDM provides the technical enforcement needed to meet these requirements, ensuring devices are up-to-date with security patches and encryption. The platform enhances remote visibility and real-time monitoring, allowing IT teams to manage devices efficiently, even in remote work environments, and reduces the need for manual setup and IT intervention through self-service capabilities and automated processes.

Declarative device management (DDM) is a new approach introduced by Apple at the 2021 Worldwide Developer Conference that redefines how settings are deployed and enforced on Apple devices, shifting responsibility from management servers to the devices themselves. Unlike traditional mobile device management (MDM) systems that rely on constant back-and-forth communication between servers and devices, DDM allows devices to independently maintain and apply configurations based on predefined criteria, reducing network traffic and server load. DDM supports a range of Apple platforms, including iOS 16 and later, and offers backward compatibility with existing MDM protocols, allowing organizations to gradually transition without management conflicts. Built on three core concepts—declarations, a status channel, and extensibility—DDM enhances scalability and performance by enabling devices to report changes proactively and adapt to new management capabilities with OS updates. Organizations can implement DDM gradually, starting with high-impact use cases like software update enforcement, and use tools like the open-source Fleet platform for transparent management and integration with GitOps workflows. This approach not only streamlines IT operations by reducing administrative overhead and improving compliance enforcement but also allows for coexistence with legacy MDM systems, giving organizations the flexibility to migrate at their own pace.

Application management is a comprehensive process involving software deployment, updates, inventory collection, and patching across multiple devices, with automation playing a crucial role in minimizing manual intervention for efficiency and security. Unlike Mobile Device Management (MDM), which manages device-level settings, application management focuses on maintaining native and third-party software on managed devices. The significance of modern application management systems lies in their ability to automate software maintenance across large device fleets, thereby improving security, compliance, and operational efficiency. These systems are especially valuable for organizations with diverse device environments, as they provide unified management and policy enforcement across platforms, reducing the silos created by platform-specific tools. Key components of application management include software discovery, policy enforcement, deployment workflows, patch management, self-service installations, and integration with device and identity management systems. The choice of application management tools should consider factors like platform support, automation capabilities, and integration potential, ensuring that the selected solution aligns with the organization's infrastructure and operational needs.

Fleet's roadmap for winter 2026 outlines several upcoming features and improvements, focusing on enhanced security and management capabilities for various platforms. In the next three months, Fleet plans to integrate with Okta for conditional access on macOS, manage fully owned Android devices, and enhance the visibility of MDM commands. Additional features include self-service scripts and using Okta as a certificate authority on macOS, along with auto-filling patch policies and removals for Windows configuration profiles. Looking further into the future, the company aims to enable the creation and management of local admin accounts on macOS, escrow and rotate macOS Recovery Lock passwords, auto-install apps on iOS, and manage mobile app configurations. Fleet is also developing a "least privilege" user model for API-only access, and they encourage community contributions and feedback on their evolving roadmap.