Mac management with Intune
IST has implemented the use of Microsoft Intune and Azure cloud technologies to successfully manage macOS devices across the University Academic Support Units and some Faculties.
Intune allows for efficient management, software deployment, operating system updates, remote locking functionality, and various security restrictions and features, including deployments of SentinelOne and Qualys. Device syncing between Apple School Manager and Intune simplifies the lifecycle of macOS devices, as devices sourced through our purchasing program are automatically synced through to Intune, receive policies, configurations, software, and IT administrative features. Overall, this success of this project has resulted in a more secure environment, and less administrative work for staff to maintain macOS devices.
This project was spearheaded by the Technology Integrated Services (TIS) team, in collaboration with the Client Services and Security groups, and with leadership from the Project Management Office.
Not only has this project allowed us to manage and secure our devices through the deployments of SentinelOne and Qualys, but we’ve successfully deployed additional meaningful software like the Regroup AdHocAlert Desktop Notification Tool.
I like how the managed updates blend into the software updates exactly how previous Apple Automatic Updates appeared.
Other 2024 accomplishments
Some of the other great work from the past year
Launch of new Teams
With TIS and ISS, contributed to the planning, testing, and support for the launch of new Teams and decommissioning of the Teams.
SentinelOne (S1) endpoint management and detection
With ISS, completed testing, documentations, communications planning, and installation support of new endpoint management and detection tool.
Regroup emergency notification system
Completed testing of the new ENS platform Regroup and developed the support structure and workflow required for campus launch.
Retirement of Request Tracker service
End of life planning for legacy ticket tracking platform. Led the communications, offboarding process, and migration of required queues to new ticketing platform Jira Service Management.
Expansion of ITPD training program
Developed new courses to enhance the offerings available through ISTs IT Professional Development program to include new in-person training courses focused on use of communication and collaboration tools. New courses will continue to be developed for 2025.
Implementation of Statuspage
A new tool to provide information on IT and Network status alerts was developed using a product called Decisions, in conjunction with Atlassian’s Statuspage, to display service details. Statuspage aggregates past, current, and upcoming service and outage details in one location providing a detailed view of each service, to which individuals may also subscribe to receive a notification when the operational status of a service changes.
Upcoming 2025 initiatives
A look at what we'll be working on in 2025
Windows 11 rollout
Preparing for the deployment of Windows 11 to managed machines in the Academic Support Units as Windows 10 nears end of life.
IST Webstore
Conduct a review of the applications available to members of the Waterloo community via the IST Webstore in preparation for potential enhancement of service.
Changes to corporate mobile device plans
Rogers subscribers will have the ability to migrate to a new corporate plan that will provide greater cost savings and roaming options.