A Brief Insight on IOS deployment in Education System- need for 3
rdPlatform implementation
in Schools
I hope you remember Meraki, a company involved in making sensors and which was sold to IBM few years back with all three partners joining IBM. We are going to have a look at a system developed by Meraki for schools and Universities. Well, they did a lot for their college if you remember my article and now let’s see what they have done for all colleges. It’s a Meraki System Manager, Apple configurator and the Meraki’s Mobile device management solution. The application is based on the managed use of the iPads and the vast learning content available through iTunes and App Stores.
For successfully deploying device like iPad in schools, coordinator needs deployment and device content strategies. This means, device deployment is required and also the device content management in which it will be required to process the information on the iTunes and the App Stores.
Requirements:
A Meraki Dashboard account with a System Manager Network
The Meraki system manager is completely free. You need to however, contact Meraki Sales Representatives if you want to deploy more than 100 iPads. Signup here:
https://meraki.cisco.com/form/systems-manager-signup
If you already have the Meraki’s dashboard account then you need to login here:
https://dashboard.meraki.com and select the “Create a system manager network”. There is a drop down menu and you will find this option there.
You will also need a mobile device that runs on IOS 6 and later For the supervised devices, you will need a computer running : Apple OS X v10.8.2
Apple Configurator 1.2.1 or above Apple iTunes 10.6 or Later
Meraki System Manager Overview
Meraki system manager is a cloud based device management solution for IOS and Android Devices and it also comes with support for desktop management for Windows and Mac OS X Computers.
System managers provide various features that includes Over-the-Air (OTA): Management of Configuration Profile
App delivery for IOS device
Real time reporting and management for enrolled devices
Also, System manager integrates with the Apple Configurator to control the Apple devices. Supervision provides additional control beyond that of configuration profiles.
Apple configurator is a free Apple Utility that configures and enables advanced setting options through supervision. For this utility it is required to connect the device through USB to a Mac running OS X. you can connect 30 devices at a time. A typical deployment of the Apple Configurator in a school environment requires use of Mobile cart.
Apple configurator supports, in general three simple workflows: Prepare
For updating IOS devices to the latest version of IOS, enrolling devices in System manager or resolving device backups
Supervise
Once a supervised device is enrolled in a system manager, advanced settings can be configured Assign
This is for assigning devices to individual users. It is possible to specify individual manually or via directory services.
Volume Purchase Programs( VPP)
Apple volume purchase program allows educational institutions to download apps and books in volume and distribute them to the persons associated with the institution that includes students, faculties and other employees according to the App stores terms and conditions.
Apps can be reassigned to the students or installed on the other IOS devices in the future, though this require upfront planning and selection of the appropriate deployment method. As far as books are concerned, they can be redeemed by the students using their personal Apple ID and they cannot be reassigned to the other students once they are being redeemed.
Content purchased via the VPP is downloaded using the redemption code being provided by the Apple. Each App and the Book have a unique redemption code, which is unique.
Wi Fi Planning
While you deploy the IOS devices, consideration for Wi-Fi infrastructure in light of coverage area, device density, security, and the QTA encryption requirement is Paramount. A best practice when using Apple configuration is to provide two separate SSIDs, required to be in conjugation of the System Manager. The basic SSID is being used for the initial device staging and the secured SSIDs connect the device to the Schools Wi Fi network.
A staging SSIDs for initial device provisioning that is open for the internet access, though, restricted otherwise.
A secure SSIDs by which the devices access the school Wi-Fi network and resources. System manager is used to push this SSID configuration settings to IOS devices.
Picking the right IOS deployment model is critical for eliminating management and support issues that can arise once the devices are in use by students and instructors.
Age Ownership
Which apple ID will be used to redeem app codes purchased by the schools in volume. Device personalization
Are users allowed to personalize contents and settings on the devices?
These are the questions that guides the selection of the deployment models, the use of Meraki’s system manager and the necessity of Apple configurator required for initial startups and ongoing maintenance. Guide To Selecting A Suitable Deployment Model
Personal Ownership intuitional Ownership Layered Ownership
Owner of Apps Student School Both Students and
Schools
Device Personalization Yes No Yes
Usage Model Single users Multiple users-Temporary device
manager
Extended single user-Future Assignment Users age 13 years and above All ages 13 years and above Initial Setup System Manager Apple Configurator
System Manager
Apple Configurator System Manager Maintenance System Manager Apple Configurator System Manager Reporting Systems Manager Systems Manager Systems Manager
