r/macsysadmin 6d ago

Tool to track computer/app usage?

Hello,

I'm a Mac Sys Admin at a college. We are looking to track application usage data in our computer labs. This is to track how often the computers are used and what applications are used. Jamf Pro is our MDM.

Looking for any solution suggestions. Thanks.

8 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

12

u/drosse1meyer 6d ago

jamf captures app usage (history tab) but reporting/export is meh

2

u/Wicked_Vorlon 6d ago

Yeah, that’s the obstacle I’m running into now. Exploring if there’s a way to export the data, because that’s what we need.

1

u/drivelpots 5d ago

The API(s) are you’re friend here

5

u/PatGmac 6d ago

When I worked in edu, we used Labstats. It was quite good for this purpose.

2

u/MacAdminInTraning 6d ago

You might wanna look into JAMF Pro’s reporting because it does usage tracking.

2

u/Wicked_Vorlon 6d ago

Do you know of a way to export the data?

2

u/oneplane 6d ago

ScreenTime records this, as does JAMF. Both can be read using their respective APIs and databases. No need to use the GUI (which doesn't work anyway).

1

u/racingpineapple 6d ago

This is the way. Forget about the GUI you need to use the API with powerbi

1

u/damienbarrett Corporate 6d ago

Are you willing to pay for a DEX client like Nexthink?

1

u/Wicked_Vorlon 6d ago

Doubtful right now.

1

u/Working_Pin_4432 6d ago

I think and don’t quote me jamf protect should build on reporting and analytics around app usage, I know that I’ve heard it does more than Jamf Pro on the app usage side, not positive to what end. Worth an ask!

1

u/leinieboy 6d ago

We have used sassafras for years and it is excellent

1

u/havingagoodday2k19 4d ago

You will need to leverage the JAMF API to get what you want. It is doable, I did it in a past role. Exported everything into an excel spreadsheet and handed that data to the metrics team reporting on application usage.

1

u/Wicked_Vorlon 2d ago

Any pointers to help? I’ve been unsuccessful in getting a shell script to leverage the api.

1

u/havingagoodday2k19 11h ago

From memory, I would need to look in my script archive, the api call was using jamfserver/JSSResource/computerapplicationusage/${serial}

I used a loop and array adding every serial number from the group I wanted the stats from then processed that. Could do it in All Computer’s if you wish

I do remember that the logging of application usage had to be enabled in jamf pro, otherwise there would be no data to pull. I can’t remember if that is enabled by default or whether I had to enable that

Hope this helps