colton.fouch
Platform · Infrastructure · Production
Colton Fouch

Colton Fouch

Platform Manager at Patagonia

I run the infrastructure that keeps 2,000+ Patagonia employees working — from zero-touch deployments to broadcast-grade live production.

2,000+
Endpoints
hours20min
Provisioning
7+ years
at Patagonia
Multi-platform
Jamf + Intune + SCCM
Case Studies

Infrastructure at Scale

Detailed breakdowns of the problems I've solved, the architecture decisions I've made, and the measurable impact delivered.

Architecture Decisions

Why We Built It This Way

Architecture Decision Records — the reasoning behind key infrastructure choices. A window into how I think about trade-offs at enterprise scale.

Jamf Pro + Intune Hybrid Over Intune-Only for macOS Management

Context

When Microsoft began expanding Intune's macOS capabilities, we faced a decision: consolidate all endpoint management under Intune (reducing vendor count) or maintain a best-of-breed hybrid with Jamf Pro for macOS and Intune for Windows. The fleet included 1,500+ Macs and 500+ Windows devices, with deep investment in Jamf Pro automation and zero-touch workflows.

Decision

Maintained Jamf Pro as the primary macOS MDM with Intune for Windows, integrated through Entra ID for unified identity. Kept platform-specific tooling where it provided measurable advantage rather than forcing consolidation at the expense of capability.

Alternatives Considered

  • Intune-only: Would have required rebuilding zero-touch workflows from scratch with fewer macOS-specific controls. Estimated 6-12 month migration with degraded macOS management during transition.
  • Jamf-only with Intune connector: Lighter touch but would have left Windows devices without mature management, creating a gap for the 25% of fleet on Windows.
  • Third-party unified MDM (Workspace ONE, Kandji): Evaluated but would have required migrating both platforms simultaneously — high risk, uncertain ROI.

Consequences

Mac management remains best-in-class with Jamf Pro's Apple-specific feature set (Setup Manager, Patch Management, Platform SSO integration). Windows devices managed through Intune with co-management where needed. Entra ID provides unified identity across both platforms. Ongoing cost of two MDM platforms is offset by reduced IT labor and faster incident resolution on macOS — our primary platform.

Platform SSO with Secure Enclave Over Traditional Password-Based Authentication

Context

Patagonia's macOS fleet relied on traditional password-based authentication synced through Jamf Connect. Password resets were a top IT ticket driver, and shared credentials created security risks. When Apple introduced Platform SSO with Secure Enclave support in macOS Ventura, we saw an opportunity to eliminate passwords entirely for device login.

Decision

Adopted Platform SSO with Secure Enclave-backed authentication via Jamf Connect + Entra ID, phased across the fleet. Users authenticate once with biometrics (Touch ID) or local account, and the Secure Enclave handles token exchange with Entra ID — no passwords stored or transmitted.

Alternatives Considered

  • Status quo (Jamf Connect password sync): Functional but perpetuated password-based vulnerabilities and IT ticket volume.
  • Conditional Access + MFA only: Added friction without eliminating the underlying password problem.
  • Full Entra ID Join: Not supported on macOS at the time and would have required Intune migration for Mac management.

Consequences

Password reset tickets dropped significantly. Zero credentials stored on-device outside the Secure Enclave. Users authenticate with Touch ID — faster and more secure. However, the initial rollout required careful change management; users accustomed to password login needed training on the new biometric flow. Platform SSO adoption also required macOS Ventura minimum, creating a short-term OS upgrade push.

Experience

Career Timeline

Patagonia — Ventura, CA
Platform Manager
Oct 2023 — Present

Own enterprise endpoint strategy and live production infrastructure supporting a global hybrid workforce. Lead MDM architecture across Jamf Pro and Intune for 2,000+ endpoints. Engineer zero-touch deployment workflows reducing provisioning from hours to under 20 minutes.

Jamf Pro Intune OBS PowerShell Bash Palo Alto
Patagonia — Ventura, CA
IT System Administrator II
Oct 2022 — Oct 2023

Managed hybrid Windows and macOS environment spanning 2,000+ endpoints. Developed automated deployment scripts, configuration profiles, and patch workflows.

Jamf Pro SCCM Intune PowerShell Bash
Patagonia — Ventura, CA
IT Systems Analyst
Sep 2018 — Oct 2022

Provided end-user support for headquarters and remote employees across North America. Supported rapid pandemic-driven expansion of the hybrid work model.

Zendesk Jamf Pro SCCM
Guitar Center — Westlake Village, CA
IT Helpdesk Technician
Oct 2016 — Sep 2018

Delivered technical support for corporate headquarters and 280+ retail locations nationwide. Managed Mac fleet using Jamf Pro.

Active Directory Jamf Pro Hardware
Stack

Technical Stack

Tools and platforms I work with daily across endpoint management, identity, automation, and production infrastructure.

MDM
Jamf Pro · Jamf Connect · Intune · SCCM · Apple Business Manager
Platforms
macOS · iOS/iPadOS · Windows · Apple Silicon
Infrastructure
Active Directory · Entra ID · Palo Alto · DNS/DHCP · SSL Inspection
Cloud
Microsoft Azure · Jamf Cloud · Apple Business Manager
Automation
PowerShell · Bash · Copilot Studio · 1Password CLI
Production
OBS Studio · ProPresenter · Microsoft Teams · A/V Hardware
Security
Platform SSO · Secure Enclave · Patch Compliance · Least-Privilege
Certifications
Jamf Certified Tech
Jamf Certified Admin
CompTIA Network+
Career Narrative

How I Got Here

Most platform managers come from software engineering. My path runs through the trenches — and that's the advantage.

I started in IT at Guitar Center, managing the Mac fleet across 280+ retail locations. It was pure operations — hands-on support, hardware repair, Jamf Pro administration. I learned that infrastructure isn't abstract: it's the thing that lets a store manager open in the morning.

At Patagonia, I grew from Systems Analyst (end-user support during pandemic-scale hybrid expansion) to System Administrator II (automated deployment scripts, patch workflows, cross-platform management) to Platform Manager — where I now own enterprise endpoint strategy and live production infrastructure.

The through-line is progressive ownership: each role expanded the surface area I was responsible for. Helpdesk taught me empathy for the end user. Systems administration taught me automation as leverage. Platform management taught me architecture as strategy. I approach infrastructure decisions with the perspective of someone who has done every job in the chain — from imaging a single Mac to architecting zero-touch for 2,000+.

Speaking & Community

Sharing What I've Learned

I believe in contributing back to the community that shaped my career. Here are some of the ways I share knowledge.

Internal Presentations

Zero-Touch Deployment Workshop

Led internal training sessions for IT staff on the zero-touch deployment workflow, covering Jamf Setup Manager, ABM integration, and troubleshooting common provisioning scenarios.

Mentorship

IT Career Mentorship

Mentor early-career IT professionals within Patagonia, helping them navigate the transition from helpdesk to systems administration and beyond.

Community

Jamf Nation Community

Active participant in the Jamf Nation community, sharing deployment patterns and troubleshooting insights with fellow Mac administrators.

Contact

Let's Talk

I'm always open to connecting with fellow infrastructure professionals, recruiters, and anyone interested in enterprise endpoint strategy.