Apple devices demand integration, not tolerance, in today's workplace

The rise of Apple devices in the workplace, driven in part by the trend of bringing marketing and creative teams in-house, has reached a tipping point. Apple can no longer be ignored or merely tolerated by corporate IT teams simply because full-time support doesn’t seem justified by economies of scale.?

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The shift is irreversible. Organisations built around Windows-based systems are now grappling with the challenges of integrating Apple devices. The lack of in-house expertise is often the biggest barrier, and many businesses are finding themselves unprepared for this new reality.?

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Devices are the tools of the trade, and employees increasingly expect to choose the devices they work with. This isn’t a small trend—it’s been growing for years. By the first quarter of 2024, Apple had captured 8.1% of the PC market, and by 2021, it held 31% of the tablet market. Many organisations now adopt a device-agnostic culture, making Apple an option far beyond creative and marketing teams.?

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But while most businesses no longer see Apple devices as security risks, practical barriers remain. I’ve seen organisations where Apple users are stuck on guest Wi-Fi, unable to back up their work or print on company printers. Some are even forced to print documents at home. These issues stem from IT infrastructures that aren’t set up to support Apple devices properly.?

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The consequences of this lack of integration go beyond inconvenience. Staff, especially those in creative departments, are often forced to rely on ad hoc solutions like USB drives or external hard disks, which compromise privacy and compliance. More than that, these barriers make employees feel excluded, undervalued, and disconnected from the company culture. When people can’t do their best work or stay in their flow, productivity suffers.?

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Resource constraints are often to blame. In many businesses, a single IT professional supports 70 to 140 staff. The idea of dedicating resources to a small number of Apple users feels unsustainable, leading to a halfway approach where Apple devices are tolerated but not fully integrated. For marketing teams, this means work gets delayed or disrupted due to technical constraints.?

Addressing these issues requires a decision: build in-house Apple expertise or outsource to specialists. Either way, it’s essential to ensure Apple devices meet compliance standards like CIS Level 1 and NIST 800, even if there are only a few in use. Without parity between Apple and Windows systems, businesses risk security gaps and operational inefficiencies.?

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While in-house support might seem expensive, outsourcing to specialists is often a cost-effective alternative. It brings the added benefits of better productivity and seamless workflows for creative teams using tools like Adobe Creative Cloud.?

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Key takeaways?

1. Commit to full integration or none:?

2. Avoid halfway solutions. ?

Invest in the right expertise to ensure Apple users are fully supported alongside Windows users.?

3. Prioritise compliance and security:?

Follow global standards like CIS Level 1 to maintain robust security and avoid vulnerabilities.?

4. Streamline workflows with cloud solutions:?

Use cloud-based tools to improve collaboration and productivity for teams working on Apple devices.?

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With the right approach, businesses can unlock the creative potential of Apple technology while maintaining strong security and compliance. But achieving this requires more than tolerance—it demands integration and commitment.?