July 2026 Summaries

Fleet is an open-source platform designed to enhance cross-platform visibility and control across various operating systems, including macOS, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android, within the Microsoft stack. While Microsoft's tools like Intune, Entra, and Sentinel are optimized primarily for Windows, they fall short in providing comprehensive management and compliance checks for Apple and Linux devices. Fleet addresses these gaps by offering real-time, in-depth telemetry and compliance capabilities that go beyond the fixed checklist approach of Intune. It integrates seamlessly with existing Microsoft tools, allowing IT and security teams to enforce and verify policies across all devices, ensuring that "compliant" reflects the actual security requirements. Fleet also enriches endpoint telemetry for security operations centers, supports AI governance by tracking unauthorized software, and operates via a GitOps model for versioned, reviewable, and reversible device management. This integration not only maximizes the potential of the Microsoft stack but also ensures that compliance and security standards are met across all platforms, providing a cohesive and transparent management solution.

Fleet is launching a comprehensive certification program in August to provide credentials for multi-OS device management, including Apple, Windows, and Linux, as well as GitOps practices. The program begins with three platform-specific certifications—Fleet-certified Apple, Windows, and Linux admin—each covering the comprehensive management of these operating systems. Additionally, two GitOps credentials emphasize managing devices through code and version control, marking a shift from traditional console management. These core credentials serve as prerequisites for the Fleet expert capstone exam, which proves proficiency in managing a cross-platform fleet. The core path to Fleet expert involves hands-on, in-person workshops designed to provide practical experience, while self-paced elective certifications will be available throughout the year, allowing for specialization in areas like self-managing Fleet infrastructure and developing with the Fleet API. This program aims to validate and formalize the diverse skills required for modern device management, with workshops and electives evolving alongside Fleet's offerings.

With the introduction of declarative device management (DDM), controlling beta software enrollment on Apple devices has shifted from a blunt all-or-nothing approach to a more nuanced, device-specific policy. This change allows administrators to selectively offer, block, or mandate beta program participation on a per-device basis using a JSON payload in the Fleet UI or through GitOps. The critical component of this process is obtaining beta program tokens from Apple Business, a task that is streamlined by a script published by Microsoft and HCS Technology Group, which automates the otherwise tedious manual authentication process. Once the tokens are obtained, they can be used to manage beta offerings across an organization's fleet, providing flexibility to test new software versions on specific devices without disrupting the entire network. This level of control ensures that only designated test devices receive beta updates while others remain unaffected, allowing for a more controlled and efficient testing environment.