As a new business owner, deciding on whether to offer employees a choice in the workplace technology they use may seem like a difficult decision.

According to a recent global study by JAMF, though, it’s a ‘no-brainer’.

If your employees like the machines that they’re working on, they’ll work harder and more efficiently across the board.

At the same time, providing everyone with a different machine can be costly.

Thankfully, the study from JAMF also surveyed workers across all sectors to find out which machines they favoured, and there was a clear winner.

Technical Director at Apple Premium Reseller, Digicape, Mark Parsons, breaks it down:

“The study found that over 93% of those who chose to use Mac claimed increased productivity, creativity and self-sufficiency; all key ingredients to business success. This illustrates that when employees are given the technology they want, the business thrives, as employees feel more valued, empowered and creative,” says Mark.

Let’s take a closer look at how Apple can help set your business up for success.

Saving money

At first glance, and especially when that glance is in the direction of your budget, it may look like kitting the entire office out with MacBooks might be a little pricey.

Parsons reckons that investing in MacBooks can actually save you money in the long run:

“Mac is efficient when it comes to saving a business money, as its operating system features built-in software and tools that would otherwise have to be purchased in a PC environment. Also, when you add on the cost of management tools and support in a PC workspace, the total cost begins to skyrocket,” he adds.

Parsons references global computer hardware company IBM as an example of how significant the savings can be.

“At a 2016 JAMF conference, the business revealed that over four years, it spent three times more on managing and servicing PCs than Mac, with each Mac deployment saving the company up to $535 over the period.

“A PC’s purchase price is around 18% of its lifetime cost, while Mac’s purchase price is approximately 50%.

“What this means is that you will generally spend far more money on managing a PC than you would a Mac, as maintenance costs will far exceed the initial outlay,” he adds.

The numbers don’t lie.

Apple’s built-in security system 

Keeping your business safe means making sure that every machine in the building is secure.

“Mac has some stellar built-in tools that protect you right off the bat. For example, when you download an app off the internet, your Mac checks it against a list of known malware apps using XProtect. It works invisibly in the background, meaning it needs no maintenance or activation and doesn’t slow down your Mac.”

Mac has a powerful built-in security system that is designed in a way that both software and hardware are secure across all core components of the device. As these features are default settings in Mac, organisations do not need to purchase third-party antivirus software, unlike PC users.

Offers seamless system integration

Apple’s biggest strength is that it designs its own hardware and software. This gives an organisation the power to create an operating system and suite of apps that are tailor-made and optimised for your employees’ unique needs.

“Over time and with the regular updates, the integration will become more seamless and expansive, so this is a benefit that will continue the longer you have a Mac,” adds Parsons.

Furthermore, Mac users are able to integrate with existing systems that may fall outside of the Apple ecosystem, allowing for seamless systems integration.

Reliability

According to the JAMF study, Mac users experienced technical issues less frequently than PC users. Those who did cite an issue found that the culprit was often a network problem and nothing to do with the device.

Parsons adds, “This reliability and ease of use provides unrivalled peace of mind for businesses, as they experience less technical issues and subsequent downtime. This means that in the long run, a business saves on time and money.”

I made the switch from PC to Mac when I started writing for 2OV, and I’m never going back.

Which brings us to the thing that really sets a Mac apart – it’s ease of use.

Finding the apps that you need, moving between windows, and jumping between tasks is seamless.

And, if your employees need a little help, Digicape, South Africa’s largest independent Apple retailer, can assist in implementing the right technology solutions for your business, no matter how big or small.

Setting up the right infrastructure for your business takes specialist skills, whether you’re opting for a basic or fully integrated solution.

They consult, support, and supplement your existing technical team or operate as a full outsource partner.

Whatever your requirements, Digicape has the expertise, vendor partnerships, solutions, support, products and software to take care of all your technology needs.

I paid a visit to a Fundi last year with my Mac and within an hour my laptop was in even better working condition than the day I unboxed it.

Up your tech game, and watch that productivity soar.