Why do I need Apple push certificate?

[nirlandau]

If I can create the mobileconfig profile with the self signed identity.p12 cert, why do I need the push cert?

[dleonard00]

This is how you will receive mdm payload commands from your mdm server. As I understand it. You send a push notification to the device saying essentially "Wake up, the mdm server has something to say to you." The device then wakes up, and hit's your mdm server checking in to see what changes or commands you have for it to apply or execute.