Assignment Maps Overview

By Emalee Firestein

Learn about Assignment Maps

What are Assignment Maps?

Assignment Maps are a new, highly visual, and flexible way to manage Apple device fleets. They streamline operations by reducing the number of Blueprints needed and enhancing scoping capabilities. You can choose to manage your entire fleet using one Assignment Map, or create several, depending on your use cases.

Capabilities of Assignment Maps

  • Define rules once and apply them to multiple Library Items
  • Create complex conditions like “full-time employees” AND in North America AND in the Pacific time zone 
  • Assign the same Library Item in different ways without needing multiple Blueprints
  • Automatically prioritize items based on their position on the map
  • Use the device/user lookup feature to see the path a device took through the map

Components Overview

Map

  • All Devices Node - The first node on the map. Distributes items to all devices matching the Installs On field.
  • Library Items - Configure these first and assign them later on the map
  • Library Item Bank - A list of all Library Items, supporting multi-select for easy assignment
  • Library Item Detail Pane - Displays details about selected Library Items

Conditional Blocks 

  • If/Else Conditions - Group similar conditions together to create cleaner maps
  • Assignment Nodes - Logical conditions using Assignment Rules contained within Conditional Blocks
  • Root Line - Ensures all Conditional Blocks connect back, avoiding dead ends

Tabs

  • Library Items - A deduplicated list of Library Items with statuses
  • Devices - A list of devices assigned to the Blueprint with statuses. 
  • Parameters - Local compliance controls available for Mac computers. 
  • Activity - A stream of actions taken on the Blueprint.

Comparing Assignment Maps to Classic Blueprints

FeatureClassic Blueprints 
Assignment Maps

On-device remediated compliance controls for macOS with Parameters


Ability to create using pre-built security compliance templates



Easy assignment of Library Items to all devices on the Blueprint


Audit Activity


Compatible with Automated Device Enrollment

Compatible with manual Device Enrollment

Duplication

Assignment Rules


✅*
Defined per Library Item 

Enterprise API support


Nested Assignment Rules


Reusable Assignment Rules


Logical Grouping of Library Items


Multiple Self-Conflicting Library Items in the same Blueprint


Dedicated troubleshooting view to show how Assignment Rules have affected Library Item assignment