As an IT admin, you juggle a dozen tasks at once. The last thing you need is to spend hours manually setting up email on 50 new iPhones. Tapping in server names and security settings is not just tedious—it's a recipe for errors and security gaps. There's a better way.
This isn't just about saving time. It's about building a scalable, secure, and respectful device management system. This is where Mobile Device Management (MDM) becomes your most powerful tool.
What is MDM, Really?
Think of MDM as the "master remote" for every Apple device in your organization. It lets you create a perfect, secure configuration profile and push it out to every iPhone, iPad, and Mac instantly. No errors, no missed steps, just flawless execution every time.
The Magic of MDM in 3 Steps
1. Create a Profile
Bundle all your email settings into one "master key."
2. Send it Out
Push the profile to all your devices instantly.
3. Relax
Every device is perfectly and securely configured.
The "Secret Recipe" for Secure Email
For your email to work, your devices need to know where to send and receive messages. These instructions are called IMAP and SMTP protocols. More importantly, they need a layer of security to keep your data safe from prying eyes. That's where TLS encryption comes in—it wraps your emails in a secure envelope that no one can open but the recipient.
An MDM profile automatically configures this "secret recipe" on every device, ensuring every email is secure by default.
- All connections use the latest TLS encryption.
- IMAP for reliable syncing across all standard clients.
- SMTP for secure sending from any app.
Choosing Your MDM: Freedom of Choice
One of the core principles of PDG Mail is email freedom. We believe in open standards, which means our service works with any standards-compliant client and any MDM solution. You have the freedom to choose the tool that best fits your budget and technical needs, from powerful enterprise platforms to lean open-source solutions.
Whether you're using a major enterprise-grade platform or a self-hosted open-source tool, our email profiles are universally compatible.
- Commercial Solutions: Platforms like Jamf Pro or Microsoft Intune offer robust features for large-scale enterprise deployments.
- Open-Source Options: Tools like MicroMDM and FleetDM/kolide offer incredible power and flexibility for a team that wants total control over their infrastructure.
The Deployment Flow: From Profile to Inbox
Deploying our secure email settings is a straightforward process that ensures both security for the company and privacy for the user.
1. The Configuration Profile
We provide a template Apple Configuration Profile (`.mobileconfig` file). This is a simple XML file containing the secure IMAP, SMTP, and TLS settings for your domain.
2. Your MDM Server
You upload this profile to your MDM solution (Jamf, MicroMDM, etc.). Here, you can assign it to specific users or device groups.
3. The Deployment
The MDM server securely pushes the profile to enrolled devices over the air.
4. The User Experience
The user's device automatically configures their email client (Apple Mail, etc.) with the secure settings. They just open their mail app, and it works. No passwords, no server names, no confusion.
Conclusion: Secure, Scalable, and Respectful
Using MDM to deploy your email isn't just an IT best practice; it's a statement about how you value security, efficiency, and the privacy of your team. It ensures every device is configured to the highest security standards automatically, and because PDG Mail is built on open standards, it does so without compromising user freedom.