JAMF Software's Bushel: Mobile device management without an IT department
Take a look at almost Apple-based business today and you'll find that the mix of devices is vastly different from just a few years ago. Instead of just PCs, Macs and printers, companies big and small now have an entirely new breed of devices - those that run iOS - to contend with. Managing those devices with a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution can be both costly and require an IT department for support, so many small companies and schools just do without. JAMF Software today unveiled Bushel, a cloud-based service designed to bring MDM to any organization easily and inexpensively.
By pointing an OS X or iOS device to the Bushel website and logging in, a device can be entrolled into a "bushel" or collection of devices automatically. Immediately information about the devices is captured and placed into the bushel - device name, serial numbers, installed OS, status of the device, how much storage is available, and settings. Need a list of devices for insurance or tax purposes? Bushel will kick out a CSV file that can be imported into QuickBooks.
Rather than having users fumble around trying to set up their own apps and email or hiring a consultant to do the work, Bushel can automatically configure email on all of the devices and also distribute apps to each device. If a school system, for example, purchases apps through Apple's Volume Purchasing Program (VPP), they can not only save money, but app distribution is simplified through Bushel. If a device is lost or stolen, or becomes property of an employee, those apps can automatically be removed and the licenses used elsewhere.
One of the more powerful features is the ability to use Bushel to require devices to have passcodes and also control the amount of time before locking the device. Devices can be remotely locked, unlocked or wiped using Bushel, and Bushel can even be used to enable FileVault 2 on Macs.
Best of all, the Bushel portal can be accessed from any device, whether it's an iPod touch or a Mac Pro. The service is free forever for up to three devices, then just $2 per month per device once additional devices are added.
TUAW will have a complete review of Bushel in the near future.
