> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pd-ag/parallels-desktop-enterprise-quick-start-guide/overview-and-decision-matrix-at-a-glance.md).
# Overview & Decision Matrix
This guide walks you through deploying and managing Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition across your organization. Start here: match your environment against the inputs below, find the scenario and deployment method it points to, then open that scenario's blueprint for the full walkthrough.
This guide assumes you're already familiar with Jamf Pro or Microsoft Intune. It does not assume you know Parallels Desktop.
### What you need to know before you start
| Input | What to check |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Mac management | Are your Macs enrolled in an MDM (Jamf Pro, Intune), or unmanaged? |
| Windows guest management | Will the Windows VMs be Intune-enrolled, or not? |
| Who the users are | Employees, contractors, or automated build agents? |
| Activation | Corporate account single sign-on (SSO), or a license key? |
| When software can arrive | After provisioning (delivered by Intune or similar), or does it need to already be in the image? |
### What this guide tells you
Every scenario resolves to a Golden Image in the Management Portal. A Golden Image's **Deployment method** is either **Declarative** — Windows sourced by the Portal (**Windows Enterprise** or a **Custom ISO**) with a Microsoft provisioning package (`.ppkg`) applied at first launch — or **VM image** — a `.pvmp` virtual machine you build and host. The table below maps each scenario to its method.
| Scenario | Deployment method | Why |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Scenario A: Software Developers & Engineers](/landing/pd-ag/parallels-desktop-enterprise-quick-start-guide/scenario-based-quick-start-blueprints/scenario-a-software-developers-and-engineers.md) | Declarative | Stock image; developers add their own toolchains |
| [Scenario B: Knowledge Workers & Enterprise Fleet](/landing/pd-ag/parallels-desktop-enterprise-quick-start-guide/scenario-based-quick-start-blueprints/scenario-b-knowledge-workers-and-enterprise-fleet.md) | Declarative | Standard fleet image; Intune delivers line-of-business apps |
| [Scenario C: Contractors & BYOD Users](/landing/pd-ag/parallels-desktop-enterprise-quick-start-guide/scenario-based-quick-start-blueprints/scenario-c-contractors-and-byod-users.md) | Declarative | No MDM requirement; an invitation email covers unmanaged Macs |
| [Scenario D: App Delivery / App-Centric (Hidden Windows)](/landing/pd-ag/parallels-desktop-enterprise-quick-start-guide/scenario-based-quick-start-blueprints/scenario-d-app-delivery-app-centric-hidden-windows.md) | **VM image** (required) | Single Application Mode needs a `.pvmp` file in an Autodeploy Package, and exactly one VM |
| [Scenario E: DevOps & Automated Pipelines](/landing/pd-ag/parallels-desktop-enterprise-quick-start-guide/scenario-based-quick-start-blueprints/scenario-e-devops-and-automated-pipelines.md) | **VM image** | Declarative deployment is Windows-only; pipelines need pinned, reproducible state |
Each scenario's blueprint spells out the exact Security Controls and VM Settings for that path.
### Core Deployment Architecture
Modern Parallels Desktop Enterprise Edition deployments decouple the host management experience from guest operating system preparation:
```mermaid
flowchart TD
MP["Parallels Management Portal
Policies · Golden Images · Bundles"]
subgraph MAC["Mac host — enrolled in Jamf Pro"]
PD["Parallels Desktop
Installed from Jamf app catalog
Configured via app profile"]
WIN["Windows 11 Enterprise VM
Sourced by the Portal
Provisioned by .ppkg
Enrolled in Intune"]
PD --> WIN
end
MP -->|Policy and licensing| PD
MP -->|Golden Image configuration| WIN
classDef portal fill:#4F46E5,stroke:#4338CA,color:#ffffff,stroke-width:2px
classDef desktop fill:#F1EBFE,stroke:#7C3AED,color:#4C1D95,stroke-width:2px
classDef windows fill:#E4EEFC,stroke:#2563EB,color:#1E3A8A,stroke-width:2px
class MP portal
class PD desktop
class WIN windows
style MAC fill:#FFFDF3,stroke:#E9C46A,stroke-width:2px,stroke-dasharray: 5 5
```
License management — including creating new sub-licenses — lives in My Account; the Management Portal is where policies and Golden Images live. On the Mac, Jamf Pro installs Parallels Desktop from its app catalog and configures it through an app profile. Parallels Desktop then provisions the Windows VM the Portal points it to, and the provisioning package enrolls that VM in Intune.
---
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