Apple Business Manager (ABM) is a powerful tool designed to help businesses manage their Apple devices, apps, and content all in one place. Whether your organization is deploying iPhones, iPads, Macs, or any other Apple devices, ABM streamlines the management process by automating device enrollment, simplifying app distribution, and providing a unified management experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the setup process for Apple Business Manager, to help your organization get started with this essential tool. Let’s dive in!

Why Use Apple Business Manager?

Apple Business Manager provides numerous benefits for businesses, including:

• Automated device enrollment: Set up new devices with company-specific configurations right out of the box.
• Centralized app and content management: Purchase and assign apps or books to employees without needing them to use personal accounts.
• Role-based management: Assign specific responsibilities to administrators, device managers, or content managers.
• Integration with Mobile Device Management (MDM): Easily manage and control all your Apple devices from a single platform.

Prerequisites for Setting Up Apple Business Manager

Before beginning the Apple Business Manager setup, ensure that you have the following:

• D-U-N-S Number: This is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, provided by Dun & Bradstreet. You can get your D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet.
• Business information: Have your company’s legal name, phone number, and address ready for verification.
• Work email address: Use an email associated with your organization, not a personal or shared email account.
• Initial Administrator Information: The person responsible for setting up the account should have the authority to sign agreements on behalf of the company.

1. Initial Administrator Account Requirements

The initial administrator account is the first user account set up during the Apple Business Manager enrollment. This person should have the authority to sign agreements and manage the Apple Business Manager platform on behalf of the organization.

• Name: The account must be set up using the first and last name of a real person, not a role or group name (e.g., “IT Coordinator” or “Device Admin” won’t be accepted).
• Email Address: You’ll need to use a work email address that hasn’t been used as an Apple ID or associated with any Apple service like iCloud or the App Store.
• Phone Number: Provide a valid work phone number.
• Role/Job Title: This will be the title of the person managing the account.

Once the account is approved, you can assign up to four more administrators to manage the account.

2. Initial Administrator Account Email Address Requirements

Choosing the right email address for the initial administrator account is crucial. It must meet the following conditions:

• Unique Email: The email address must not be linked to any other Apple ID, iCloud, or App Store account.
• Domain Requirements: If your organization does not own a custom domain, you can use an email from a public provider (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo). However, after successful enrollment, all subsequent Managed Apple IDs must use the automatically reserved domain set up by Apple for your organization.
• Non-Verified Domain: The email address must not belong to a domain that is already verified by another organization using Apple Business Manager.

Ensuring these requirements are met is critical to avoid delays during enrollment.

3. Verification Contact

The verification contact is a separate individual, usually a legal representative of your organization, who confirms that the person setting up the account has the authority to bind the organization to the terms and conditions of Apple Business Manager.

• Different Person: The verification contact cannot be the same person as the one submitting the enrollment.
• Information Required: You must provide their name, work email address, work phone number, and job title.
• Apple Contact: Apple will reach out to this person during the enrollment process to verify the organization’s details and confirm the initial administrator’s information.

During this review process, it’s important to monitor communications from Apple and return any calls or emails promptly to avoid any delays.

4. Organization Details

When signing up for Apple Business Manager, you’ll need to provide specific details about your organization:

• D-U-N-S Number: This is a unique nine-digit identifier provided by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) that is required for verification. It confirms that your business is legitimate and active.
• Country/Region: The country or region where your organization is legally registered.
• Phone Number: A contact phone number for the organization.
• Website URL (Optional): You can also provide your company’s website URL, though this is optional.

After submitting this information, Apple will use the D-U-N-S Number to verify your business details.

5. Sign Up Your Organization

The process of enrolling your organization in Apple Business Manager is straightforward but requires careful attention to the details mentioned above. Here’s how to sign up:

1. Visit the Apple Business Manager Enrollment Page: Go to Apple Business Manager and click “Enroll now” to start the registration process.
2. Fill Out the Application: Enter the organization’s details, including the legal business name, D-U-N-S Number, and contact information. Provide the initial administrator’s information as described earlier.
3. Submit the Application: Once you’ve completed the form with all necessary details, submit your application for Apple’s review.

6. Verify Your Enrollment

Once your application is submitted, Apple will review the provided information. This process may take a few business days. Apple will contact your verification contact to confirm the details of your organization and the administrator’s authority.

During this time, ensure that you:

• Monitor Your Email: Apple may send emails from various “apple.com” domains, so be sure that any spam filters or blocks allow these communications through.
• Respond Promptly to Calls: If Apple reaches out by phone, return any missed calls quickly to keep the process moving.

Once the verification process is complete, Apple will approve your application, and you can proceed with configuring your Apple Business Manager account.

Conclusion:

By following this comprehensive guide and ensuring all requirements are met, the enrollment process can be smooth and efficient. With Apple Business Manager in place, your organization will have a powerful tool to manage devices, apps, and content more effectively, empowering your IT team to support your employees with ease.

For more detailed guidance, you can visit Apple’s official support pages on enrollment and verification.