Jamf helps make the Apple-powered world go round with Zoom

There’s nothing hybrid about Allen Houchins’ work setup. In fact, it’s pretty much the definition of remote. 

“Until two months ago I was on a 4-megabit internet connection because I live in the middle of nowhere,” he said. “I live on 80 acres where we raise sheep, chickens, and bees, and I’m the only person on my road that’s connected to the grid.”

Using Zoom from the rural Wisconsin countryside, Jamf’s vice president of information technology and workplace services says Zoom — and specifically Zoom — helps him lead IT operations for a high-growth software company serving the management and security needs of many of the largest organizations in the world. With a reliable, engaging way to reach his coworkers, Allen can keep his teams connected and things running smoothly, no matter where they are.

That’s important when you’re leading IT for Jamf, which provides critical solutions for today’s everywhere workforce. As a device management and security software company that helps organizations succeed with Apple, its platform simplifies how teams around the world manage, access, and secure the devices that power their work. 

Whether it’s helping a teacher make the most of the classroom iPads on Jamf Teacher, ensuring a busy retail team can do inventory on the fly with a couple of iPhones, or simplifying healthcare delivery at a distance with Virtual Visits, Jamf helps manage and secure those devices at scale so its customers don’t have to. And Allen believes Zoom is critical to the success of that mission.

“With hybrid work, we’re really supporting 2,500 offices rather than just 14 or 15 because, in a hybrid work model, everyone’s home is an office,” Allen said. “Now that we’re no longer tied to offices, it’s important for us to have solutions that really empower these opportunities for conversation and collaboration, regardless of where an employee or a customer is, and Zoom is by far the best tool to help us achieve that.” 

Collaboration in the Apple ecosystem

For Allen and Jamf, there’s no substitution for ease of use. Easy collaboration is as essential as the code itself for Jamf’s remote software development teams.

“We’re heavily focused on the user experience and what technology and solutions they’re using, but also how they’re using that technology,” Allen said. “The user experience with Zoom is one of the main reasons we chose it. It’s really easy to use, but it’s also really easy to configure and customize.”

Jamf uses solutions like Zoom Meetings, Zoom Webinars, Zoom Rooms, and Zoom Phone to build collaboration into every aspect of its Apple ecosystem.

“Zoom is incredibly critical to the employee life cycle at Jamf,” Allen said. “When you interview with Jamf, it’s via Zoom. Your first day of orientation is via Zoom, and all of your ongoing team communication and collaboration is via Zoom. Every Monday, we have a weekly all-company meeting called the Jamf Report, where we provide updates from across the business, and many of those Reports are delivered using Zoom Webinars. All of our on-site conference rooms are powered by Zoom and a Mac mini with an iPad on the table for touchscreen capability and an iPad serving as a room scheduler outside of the room. We use digital signage in our common areas to relay important local and company-wide information.”

“Everyone also has a room controller in their pocket with the Room Controller app and iPhone, which really simplifies the conference room experience,” Allen added. “And when you combine Jamf and Zoom Phone with the Apple platform, users have the ability to use their personal device as a work solution and enjoy a unified communications experience all while maintaining business security, and just as important, maintaining their own privacy,” Allen added. “And I don’t think there’s any other solution in the market that can do that. It really is the culmination of Jamf and Zoom on the Apple platform that allows that to happen.”

Driving new opportunities for employee engagement and intuitive connection

Allen also found that he could deliver a more tailored and engaging experience for Jamf’s global employees, which is crucial for a leader who works to create the best employee experience possible.

As Jamf moves forward, Allen and his teams are embracing the Zoom platform to create new innovations and more opportunities for connection. 

“Right now we’re focused on uplifting everyone’s skills to help us get the most out of the platform and creating company-wide best practices to promote collaboration and meeting equity,” he said. “We’re really excited about the possibilities for Jamf and Zoom. We’re also interested in exploring how Zoom Events might work for company and customer events.”