Pulseway has released version 9.14 of its RMM platform. The release contains some significant updates, especially for its Apple Mobile device Management platform (MDM). Apple MDM now supports App Store app management software update configurations and the ability to erase or lock devices remotely.
Other features included within this release are enhancements to the remote control, improvements to file storage controls and a minor but often request update to organisation naming.
Apple MDM enhancements
The release adds a new Apple MDM Applications profile type, which will enable administrators to deploy, update and track applications across an organisation’s mobile fleet. There is also support for Apple Apps and Books (formerly known as the Apple Volume Purchase Program, or VPP) for streamlined App Store app management on macOS devices.
The application supports iOS and iPadOS App Store apps. Administrators can create multiple profiles, enabling them to have different applications installed for different functions within an organisation. Administrators can also control the configurations of each application loaded onto any device, providing granular control for the mobile fleet.
Other features include the ability to lock or erase a device. For unsupervised devices, a confirmation modal prompts users to type ERASE to complete the action, ensuring secure and deliberate execution for both supervised and unsupervised devices.
The device management page also gives administrators visibility of all installed applications, the version number of each application and their update status across all IOS devices in the fleet.
Enterprise Times asked Pulseway about the equivalent capabilities for Android devices. Pulseway replied, “Android devices are not a part of this release. It is definitely going to be something that we’re planning for 2025.”
Freedom to rename using a hyphen
A minor but oft-requested update which has been included in this release is the ability to use hyphens in the names of orgs, sites and groups. This simple change will enable organisations to use a hyphen when naming branches “Ash Org – New York” and “Ash Org – Washington”, which has not been possible previously.
Previously, administrators used the greater than symbol. Administrators can automatically update all names, replacing “>” with “-“ if they wish to, as part of this release.
Improvements to workflows
Improvements to Automation workflows, which include better support for macOS and Linux devices. Support features now include:
- Execute shell command
- Execute file
- Close Application
- Get URL
- Send message
- Log Off Current User
- Reboot
Pulseway has also added five new workflow templates:
- Set a Balanced Power Plan
- Run Extended Audit For Computers And Servers
- Create System Restore Point
- Deploy Custom Font
- Audit Certificates Expiring Within 30 Days
Other enhancements
Pulseway has also introduced other enhancements in this release. These include:
- Improvements to the API
- An increase to the storage quota for managed files to 2 GB for all SaaS customers and 1 PB for all on-premises customers
- Improvements to patch management extending support for the Windows Update service and better policy control
- A new ability to configure certain Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) behaviour
Updated Referral program
Pulseway has relaunched its referral program. The updated program, first launched in April 2020, is now available to customers in the US, EU and Australia. Enterprise Times asked Pulseway whether the program would become more widely available. It has plans to extend the referral program to the UK, Canada and then New Zealand in the coming months.
The initial program will recompense customers who make referrals, with gift cards. There is no cap on the number of referrals that a customer can make. If the referral signs up for a paid Pulseway plan, the referrer receives a gift card to the value of AU$400, US$250, or €250.
Each customer will be given a unique referral link which they can give to any interested prospect. Like the program in 2020, this enables customers to benefit from recommending its software and with no cap to the amount, some customers could earn a significant amount from referring.
The program has been designed to be simple. The geographic restriction on customers able to take advantage of the scheme will frustrate some customers, but other regions will no doubt follow soon.
Enterprise Times: What does this mean
This is a major update of which the improvements to MDM for Apple devices is significant. Pulseway continues to both roll out new features for its platform and enhance existing ones, notably in Workflow automation.
The new referral program, an enhancement from that launched in 2020, which only offered $100 for each referral, is a simple way for customers and Pulseway to benefit. It will be interesting to see how quickly Pulseway rolls this out to other regions, what volume of referrals it receives and how many turn into paying customers.
That this update is 9.14 rather than 9.13 is interesting. Enterprise Times asked Pulseway about the missed release, which has occurred in the past. Normally, it means that the missing release was minor, such as a set of bug fixes that were required quickly.
In this case, the story of 9.13 is more interesting. The push for 9.13 was to retire its legacy places, which some customers have been on for years. Previously plans were free, startup and Professional. These were retired around four years ago; version 9.13 launched a program to migrate customers to the new plans and included a wizard that helped customers complete the transition.
Pulseway commented, “We’re basically just trying to make sure that every customer that we fall so now has access to the same level of functionality and the same level of customer experience.”
The transition is not complete, but once finished, it will enable Pulseway to have a sole focus on the current schemes and ensure all customers benefit from upgrades they roll out.
