Users install apps themselves because there's no central deployment system?
No App Deployment: Users Install Their Own
No visibility means no compliance. When the license audit comes, you have no idea what's installed where. When the security audit comes, same problem.
Everyone's an IT Admin Now
Users download apps from random websites
Apps installed from personal App Store accounts
Different versions of the same app across the fleet
No central software inventory
License compliance is a guessing game
New designer needs Adobe Creative Cloud. IT doesn't have a deployment process, so the user downloads it themselves, tied to their personal Adobe account. Six months later, that designer leaves. The Adobe subscription goes with them. You buy another license for the replacement. Repeat this pattern across your organization. Imagine a 30-person creative agency we audited: they thought they had 5 Adobe licenses. They actually needed 15. Different users had installed Creative Cloud from personal accounts, trial accounts, educational accounts, and one pirated version. The Adobe audit resulted in $40,000 in back-licensing fees. The agency had no idea because they had no central deployment or inventory visibility. Every user installing their own apps meant the company had lost control of software asset management.
When Users Become Their Own IT
License Audit Failures and Surprise Bills
Without central deployment, you have no software inventory. Microsoft audit asks: How many Office licenses are deployed? You don't know. Adobe audit asks: Prove your Creative Cloud compliance. You can't. These audits result in five-figure penalties plus forced license purchases at full price.
Security Blind Spots
Users download apps from untrusted sources. Pirated software with bundled malware. Apps from personal accounts outside your security monitoring. No central update management means apps stay vulnerable indefinitely. Security team has zero visibility into what's actually running on devices.
Version Chaos and Support Nightmares
Same app, five different versions across your fleet. User A has version 2.1, User B has version 3.0, User C has a beta. File compatibility breaks. Features work differently. Support tickets multiply because IT is troubleshooting against unknown versions installed from unknown sources.
Offboarding Leaves Licensed Software Behind
Employee leaves. Their Mac stays in a drawer or gets reassigned. Apps are still tied to their personal accounts. Company can't reclaim licenses or reassign them. Replacement hire needs the same software, so you buy new licenses because you can't access the old ones. License waste compounds.
Managed App Store with Automatic Updates
We implement centralized app deployment through MDM and Apple Business Manager's Volume Purchase Program (VPP). Users access a self-service app catalog for approved software: one click installs, company-licensed, and automatically updated. IT controls what's available, tracks what's deployed, and can push required apps silently. Custom internal apps deploy the same way. License reclamation is automatic when employees leave.
Self-service app catalog for approved software
Automatic app updates with zero user interaction
Complete inventory of deployed software
License reclamation when employees leave
Audit-ready compliance documentation
Prevent unauthorized software installation
Related Services
Zero-Touch Deployment
New devices configure themselves automatically, with no IT involvement
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MDM Implementation
Centralized device management with Jamf Pro, Mosyle, Kandji, Intune, and Omnissa
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Assessments & Audits
Current state analysis: find what's broken before it breaks you
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Take Control of Software Deployment
Book a 20-minute call to discuss managed app deployment.
