By Weldon Dodd, SVP of Global Partnerships, Kandji
Constant innovation reshapes the IT landscape at an astonishing pace. Apple’s decades-long evolution offers a strong case study in this transformation, as the company has solidified its position as a key player in the enterprise market.
What began as widespread adoption of the iPhone and iPad has since grown into a firm foothold in the enterprise, supported by sector-specific use cases across , a tightly integrated product ecosystem, and Apple’s steadfast pursuit of exceptional user experiences.
Apple’s rise in the enterprise stems from several key factors. The BYOD movement along with the promise of seamless integration of Apple’s devices into both personal and professional lives, empowered employees to advocate for their preferred tools at work. Mobile-first initiatives, amplified by the acceleration of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, further cemented Apple’s presence in enterprise IT. Meanwhile, the broader consumerization of IT helped drive demand for devices that combine functionality with the user-friendly elegance synonymous with Apple.
Early in the new year, Apple is once again at the forefront of transformative enterprise technology trends – from the privacy challenges of Generative AI to the critical security concerns that come with a growing ecosystem of devices, applications, and workflows – these advancements promise to redefine the enterprise computing landscape and raise new questions about how Apple and its growing corporate user base will adapt and innovate in the years ahead.
The Survey Says
Over the past several years, Kandji’s “Apple in the Enterprise” survey has aimed to shed light on IT leaders’ perspectives, providing valuable insights into Apple’s expanding role in the enterprise. As AI and automation continue to reshape IT strategies, we wanted to gain better insights into how large enterprises view the future of the Apple ecosystem and how IT leaders are preparing to meet emerging challenges.
Among the key findings of our survey was that Apple’s steady penetration into the enterprise market can be attributed to three key factors: security, reliability, and long-term cost-effectiveness. Security remains a cornerstone of Apple’s appeal with more than three-quarters (77%) of IT professionals agreeing that Apple devices are easier to secure than their Windows or Android counterparts.
In addition, 72% of respondents believe that Apple devices are inherently more secure than other end-user options while 59% report that Apple products are less susceptible to widespread outages, including those caused by cyber threats or software updates. The preference for Apple’s ecosystem highlights a core strategic advantage: by owning the entire stack, Apple is able to quickly address security risks and deliver reliable updates without relying on third-party solutions.
Reliability is another key driver for enterprise IT buyers. Our survey revealed that Apple’s devices are perceived as more durable and less prone to disruptions, leading 75% of respondents to highlight a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) as a top benefit despite the fact that Apple products carry higher up-front costs.
These findings highlight that Apple’s presence in enterprises extends beyond user demand; it reflects clear business benefits. This implicit trust in Apple’s ecosystem sets the stage for a new phase of enterprise growth. As organizations embrace next-generation technologies like AI and mixed reality tools such as Vision Pro, Apple’s well-earned reputation for security and reliability promises to accelerate its integration into enterprise environments.
Some Bold Predictions
Based on some of the macro trends highlighted in our Apple in the Enterprise survey, Apple appears well positioned to capitalize on the enterprise opportunity in the years ahead. Looking at the intersection of Apple’s strengths and emerging technologies, we foresee three key trends that signal how Apple will continue to exert its muscle in the enterprise market:
1. Smart Silicon Powers Apple’s AI Advantage: Apple’s commitment to AI-driven innovation figures to be a defining feature of its enterprise strategy. The company’s M-Series Silicon, already recognized for its efficiency and power, is the foundation for this next stage of growth. Features like Apple Intelligence which will be integrated across devices, illustrate a long-term vision of embedding AI capabilities seamlessly into daily workflows. Moving forward, Apple could leverage its expertise in silicon design to create enterprise-specific chips tailored for advanced AI tasks, such as training models or running large-scale simulations with enhanced speed and security. These advancements would further cement Apple as an essential partner for enterprises seeking to harness AI’s potential while maintaining tight control over data privacy and performance.
2. Increased Demand for Privacy-Centric Solutions: As regulatory and consumer scrutiny intensifies, enterprises are increasingly prioritizing privacy. Apple’s privacy-first design philosophy, already a hallmark of its brand, will become an even greater differentiator. With 71% of IT leaders in our survey affirming that Apple does more to protect user privacy than any other vendor, Apple is well-positioned to dominate in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, financial services, and government. This focus on privacy is particularly crucial in the context of AI adoption, where concerns about data misuse are of . By providing privacy-centric solutions that align with corporate and regulatory requirements, Apple can further solidify its role as the go-to technology choice for organizations navigating increasingly complex compliance landscapes.
3. Long-Term Savings Drive Apple Adoption: The financial case for adopting Apple devices continues to resonate. Enterprises increasingly recognize the value of investing in durable, dependable technology that minimizes IT support costs and operational disruptions. With 75% of IT departments citing lower total cost of ownership (TCO) as a significant advantage, Apple’s devices are proving their worth beyond user preference. Furthermore, Microsoft’s end-of-support for Windows 10 in 2025 may act as a catalyst, accelerating the migration to Apple’s ecosystem. As businesses seek modern, efficient replacements for legacy systems, Apple’s combination of user satisfaction and long-term savings is likely to win over even more enterprise IT leaders.
Forward-thinking enterprise IT leaders increasingly recognize the value of choice. Empowering employees to work with their preferred technologies fosters not only satisfaction but measurable productivity gains. By adopting Apple’s secure and resilient solution ecosystem, enterprises will themselves have more choice in how they meet the evolving demands of the modern workforce.
Weldon Dodd is evangelist and SVP, Global Partnerships at Kandji, the leading Apple device management and security platform
