Dive Brief:

• Jamf announced this week businesses will soon be able to deploy Apple TVs across the enterprise using its new iOS management software, according to a press release.

• Jamf, which makes a variety of tools to enable Apple device management, will now offer support for Apple’s Device Enrollment Program and expanded Mobile Device Management features for Apple TV. That means organizations will be able to set up, configure and distribute apps for Apple TVs in bulk in the same way already available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the company said.

• "For the first time, businesses and schools can set up and manage Apple TV just like they do iPhone or iPad, which means they can not only mass deploy Apple TV with ease, but create a seamless and interconnected experience between Apple devices," said Dave Alampi, vice president of product management and marketing at Jamf, in a statement. 

Dive Insight:

When you think of Apple enterprise products, Apple TV is probably not the first product that comes to mind. But lots of businesses use Apple TV in places like board rooms and lobbies. Now, they’ll be able to setup and configure all those devices at once instead of individually, which may encourage more businesses to deploy the technology. 

Apple has other ideas in mind for Apple TV, too, potentially turning the device into a hub that could connect a variety of IoT devices in businesses or homes and control things like music or thermostat adjustments. Apple device management is a lucrative business. Jamf, for example, has more than 10,000 global customers relying on them to manage 7 million Apple devices.

Apple has been trying to break into the enterprise for quite some time, and a large part of the holdup relates to device management. Its technology for a long time was catered toward consumers, but with some revenue streams drying up, Apple is looking for new sales inroads.