G&A Architekten AG: Successful IT Management with Munki

G&A Architekten AG decided on a fully-automated management solution as early as 2016. Supported by Munki, all system and application software, as well as the associated updates and user-specific configurations are managed and distributed centrally.

Two years have passed since, and a lot has happened at Germann & Achermann. The office has moved and the company has changed its name: Germann & Achermann AG became G&A Architekten AG. However, the implemented system and the Apple devices proved successful. Time to enquire again with Kathrin Bürli:

Ms Bürli, in addition to your main role as a structural engineer, you are also responsible for supporting the entire IT environment. How satisfied are you since Munki was set up two years ago?

I’m still very satisfied. Munki works flawlessly and the entire system and the system and application software including updates or configurations can be installed on all iMacs with just a few clicks. Of course, that makes my work a lot easier. I seldom require external help. I acquired my IT knowledge myself and also looked over the shoulders of the a&f specialists from time to time.

What sort of time savings do you achieve?

I used to have to handle updates on the weekend quite often. This way, I could avoid colleagues having to clear their workspaces. Sometimes, that cost me my entire weekend. Now, it only takes a few clicks and the whole thing is done and dusted within a few minutes, and it runs automatically.

»I can just install a program on the fly without compromising any important work.«

Kathrin Bürli, G&A Architekten AG

G&A Architekten AG have moved into new offices. How did the relocation go?

Thanks to the good and early planning, inconvenience for the employees could be minimised, and daily operations continued smoothly. We simply unplugged our iMacs in the old offices and plugged them in at the new ones. The technology worked immediately.

You are working with Apple devices, primarily iMacs. How would you describe your experience?

We have always worked with Apple products and are very satisfied with them. In January, we switched to the new Mojave operating system. Super-fast, of course, thanks to Munki. Our key programs are the drawing software ArchiCAD 22 and the construction administration software DELTAproject. We use Mac Pros as servers, paired with the a&f monitoring service. This means our server and backup environment is continuously monitored, and a&f is able to offer assistance quickly if an incident does occur. Not having to worry about downtimes is reassuring.

The ICT environment at the new architect offices

In its current system environment, G&A Architekten AG is using 27 iMacs with macOS 10.14 Mojave for both, clients and servers. More than 40 applications and managed and distributed with the support of Munki. This also realises the printer set-up and computer-specific settings. The updates for many programs are partially automated through AutoPkgr. In addition to Munki, G&A Architekten also use Apple VPP (Volume Purchase Program) to distribute App Store apps across the company. The Mac Pros used as server are monitored by the a&f Monitoring service.

«G&A Architekten AG has a pure but versatile Apple system environment.»

Michael Schuler, System Engineer Apple Solutions, a&f systems ag