The Mac Admins Podcast is one of the most respected platforms for IT professionals and Apple ecosystem enthusiasts. It dives deep into Apple device management, enterprise mobility and the evolving technology landscape. Each episode features industry experts sharing insights, best practices and real-world experiences that help organizations manage Apple devices at scale.
Recently, the podcast featured Youssef Mohamed (Product Manager) and Mikhail Ishkhanov (Senior Director, Product Strategy & Sales Enablement) from SOTI. Hosted by Tom Bridge (Chair of the Mac Admins Foundation) and Selina Ali (Product Manager, Addigy), the conversation explored SOTI’s journey, innovations in Apple device management and exciting projects shaping the future of mobility.
The Origins of SOTI and Its Apple Journey
Our guests Mikhail and Youssef shone a light on SOTI’s beginnings in 1995 when its founder, Carl Rodrigues, built a remote access tool in his basement, a solution that would eventually become SOTI’s flagship product, SOTI MobiControl. Today, SOTI has grown to over 2,200 employees, 11 global offices, and a partner ecosystem of 6,500+ partners, serving 17,000 enterprise customers worldwide.
The duo discussed Apple integrations and strategic vision for SOTI. Both emphasized how Apple’s growing presence in enterprise environments has driven innovation at SOTI and were particularly excited about recent updates to Declarative Device Management (DDM).
Declarative Device Management
One of the most impactful topics discussed was DDM. Traditionally, device management relied on an “ask, don’t tell” model, where servers constantly queried devices for updates—a process that was inefficient and hard to scale. DDM changes this by enabling devices to monitor their own state and report changes asynchronously, improving scalability and delivering real-time visibility for IT teams. SOTI has integrated these advancements into SOTI MobiControl, including a revamped Managed App Framework for more intuitive app configuration.
Innovative Projects
The episode also highlighted two major projects that SOTI had been part of in the past:
-
Project Indigo: A European government and defense initiative enabling secure use of iOS devices in classified environments. SOTI collaborated with partners and Apple to implement ACME certificates, asset stations and a BSI-approved VPN for thousands of devices across multiple countries.
-
Shared Device Mode for Retail: SOTI developed a solution integrating Microsoft Azure’s shared device mode with its own platform, allowing iPhones and iPads to be securely shared among retail staff, a critical feature for seasonal workers and dynamic retail environments.
Looking Ahead
The future of mobility is full of possibilities. The conversation closed with future trends in mobility, and our guests expressed excitement about innovations that will enhance productivity and security in enterprise environments, including:
- Managing fleets of drones for industries like energy, infrastructure, and even food delivery. These innovations could reduce operational costs and improve safety by replacing manual tasks with automated aerial solutions.
-
Evolving remote control capabilities for Apple devices. While remote control is sensitive due to security concerns, finding a secure framework for enterprise workflows could unlock new efficiencies in retail, transportation and logistics.
-
Enhancing agent-based apps that boost productivity and customer experience. These apps enable associates to perform product lookups, optimize routes and onboard faster, transforming workflows from weeks of training to just hours.
*Bonus Question: Breaking the Laws of Physics*
When asked what project they’d pursue if physics weren’t a limitation, Youssef envisioned offline logic for DDM, where devices could apply profiles based on conditions like battery level without connectivity. Mikhail imagined futuristic form factors, like a contact lens that functions as a phone, highlighting the limitless potential of mobility.
