Aug 20, 2024
Vanessa Gennarelli
A New Era for Secure Package Management
For over 15 years, Homebrew has been the go-to solution for developers seeking an efficient, open-source package management tool on macOS. Over time, it became clear that while Homebrew perfectly suited individual developers, it didn’t directly cater to the requirements of teams and enterprises. This gap has been a growing concern, particularly for IT admins and organizations that rely on Homebrew for managing their software infrastructure.
The Challenge with Homebrew in the Enterprise World
As a successful open source project built by volunteers, Homebrew consciously chose to invest their effort serving the needs of the individual developer. This focus meant that features that are essential for enterprise environments, such as indefinitely pinning older versions, managing multiple users, or sharing formulae for developer onboarding, were outside its scope. As a result, many companies have had to adapt Homebrew in ways that may not be ideal.
In chatting with dozens of companies, we’ve noticed that they generally fall into one of three camps when it comes to managing Homebrew internally:
Do Nothing: Some companies just accept that Homebrew is being used, even though it's officially not allowed. IT managers often look the other way because blocking it isn’t really an option without harming developer productivity. This situation clearly shows there’s a need for a more seamless solution that fits better with existing systems.
Informed Trust: Other organizations put some structure around Homebrew by creating guidelines and documentation. But this method relies a lot on trust and manual checks. Enforcing policies and making sure everyone sticks to them can be tricky, leading to gaps in security and management.
Roll Your Own: Then there are those who build custom solutions by tweaking Homebrew with scripts and custom glue code. While this can offer some tailored benefits, it also adds a layer of complexity and technical debt. As new updates and operating systems come out, these custom setups can become a hassle, needing constant tweaks and maintenance.
Even if your business has made-do so far, there will always be challenges that you don’t have the expertise, time, or money to solve. While Homebrew does an excellent job staying up to date with the latest operating system versions, your internal code may be brittle and require ongoing maintenance with every new operating system and Homebrew release. Something will eventually stop working, and you’ll need to scramble to make a fix and unblock your teams.
Introducing Workbrew: The Secure Software Delivery Platform
Recognizing these challenges, we’re excited to help companies streamline their software delivery with Workbrew. We believe in providing developers with a top-notch experience where access to their preferred tools is in harmony with keeping the organization secure and compliant.
With Workbrew, organizations can enjoy the following benefits:
Developer Experience: Developers thrive when they have access to their preferred tools.
Analytics & Observability: Gain comprehensive insights into software usage across your teams.
Remote Management: Centrally manage software across your entire organization.
Security & Compliance: Set and enforce policies, gain visibility into vulnerabilities and quickly respond.
Workbrew lets developers use their favorite tools while keeping the company secure and compliant. It makes managing software way easier and cuts down on the hassles and technical debt that come with DIY solutions.
Take the Next Step
If your business has been struggling to address IT sprawl and compliance concerns, Workbrew is here to help. To learn more about how Workbrew can transform your software management experience, check out these resources:
Ready to experience the benefits of Workbrew firsthand? Try Workbrew for free and see how it can simplify your package management and boost your enterprise’s efficiency.
Embrace a future where software management is seamless, secure, and tailored to your needs with Workbrew.