Solutions for managing a fleet of Trimble Windows Mobile devices

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Solutions for managing a fleet of

Trimble Windows Mobile devices

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Agenda



Learn AEP’s device management history and the

common problems large organizations face in

managing devices.



Best practices for admin managing Trimble

Windows Mobile devices.



Tips on creating an in-house device

management solution.

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AEP MDM Challenges



500+ Trimble Windows Mobile devices

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AEP MDM Challenges

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AEP MDM Challenges



2 Admins/Support personnel (Selfies)

Hello,

I’m Matt

Hola,

I’m Josh

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AEP MDM Challenges



Heavily-used devices. Used for over 6,000

designs from January 2014 through October

10th of 2014.

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Where We Started



iPaq’s, 2003 GeoExplorers, 2005 Series

GeoExplorers, 2008 Series GeoExplorers, and

Nomad’s

–

Manual installations requiring user interaction

throughout the entire process.

–

Long “how to” installation guides.

–

Install everything for the user from an SD card before

sending the device to the user.

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Provisioning via Commontime



Why provisioning via Commontimes mSuite

platform.

–

Already being used internally by AEP

–

Push all cabs, files and registry settings

automatically requiring the user to sign in with

email credentials.



Commontime wrote a C# application to handle the Cab

installs.

–

Provides a secure tunnel back into AEP’s network

for remote syncing of data.

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Provisioning via Commontime

–

Pain Points



No ability to factory reset the device resulting in a fair

number of user mistakes on loading new software

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Provisioning via Commontime

–

Pain Points



Not intended for Windows mobile device management.



Again Commontime needed to write a C# application to

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Provisioning via Commontime

–

Pain Points



Initially required users to call support to clear the

previous instance of the device from the server before

factory resetting and provisioning.

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Provisioning via Commontime

–

Pain Points

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Email with Instructions

All GeoXH 6000 users,

The following procedure should be used to update your GeoXH 6000 with the latest version of Asset Designer and Scout. If you still have an older Dell Windows XP PC, you will need to connect to a newer Windows 7 PC in order to complete step 5. Steps 6-8 can be completed while the device is connected to any PC that is connected to the AEP network.

Your device should be disconnected from the PC for steps 1 through the first part of step 4.

1. Click this link for instructions –see page 34—to factory reset your GeoXH 6000. This will remove all existing data from your device.

2. Click this link for instructions to configure your GeoXH 6000 after the factory reset is complete. 3. Click this link for instructions to get your device connected to your Windows 7 PC.

4. Click this link for instructions to provision your device with CommonTime.

With your device connected to your PC, Tap Start > Programs > Asset Manager > DB Sync Tool.

In the user name field fill in your user id (ex. S123457) in place of the word userid (see example). In the Password field fill in your AEP LAN password (this is the password that you logon to your PC with).

Tap Initialize, this will create the database on your device. Once complete the Initialize button will change and be labeled Synchronize.

NOTE: You will want to change the default point and span type in Asset Designer before you collect any new data. The default point type and span type can be changed in Asset Designer under Settings > Options.

NOTE: Those using Real-Time correction from an internet source will need to copy their specific XML file into their

device. If you need assistance check with your local support person or call the EBP Hotline 8-200-3324. AEP-Texas users call 8-430-5500.

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Provisioning via Commontime

–

Pain Points continued



Still lots of user interaction.

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Where we are now



We primarily have 6000 Series GeoExplorers,

about 400, with a few 2008’s and Nomad’s.

–

Now getting a few GeoExplorer 7x devices.

–

New process for 6000 Series and 7x devices only.

–

Created a Cab to handle almost everything with a

batch file to get things kicked off.

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Batch File

SetLocal EnableDelayedExpansion @echo off @set REBOOT=false \\dea\ldpro\Asset_Manager_Suite\Support\rapiutils\RAPIEX~1.EXE "\Windows\Startup" @set ERR=%ERRORLEVEL%

@if %ERR% NEQ 0 (

@echo **************************************************************************** @echo *

@echo * Sponge Bob Not Found! @echo *

@echo * Please make sure your device is

@echo * plugged in and has a Windows Mobile Device Center connection @echo * and then try again.

@echo *

@echo **************************************************************************** @pause

)

::Creates folder if it does not exists

\\dea\ldpro\Asset_Manager_Suite\Support\rapiutils\RapiDir.exe -m "\My Documents\TrimbleGeoxInstall" PUSHD \\dea\ldpro\Asset_Manager_Suite\Geo_Provisioning\TrimbleGeoxInstall

@CALL :copyInstallFile

\\dea\ldpro\Asset_Manager_Suite\Support\rapiutils\RapiStart.exe "\Windows\wceload.exe" "\"\My Documents\TrimbleGeoxInstall\AEP_WM_Setup.CAB\" /nodelete"

@echo * @echo *

@echo * PLEASE FINISH THE AEP DEVICE CONFIGURATION ON THE DEVICE!!!!!! @echo *

@echo * pause

:copyInstallFile

\\dea\ldpro\Asset_Manager_Suite\Support\rapiutils\RapiCopy.exe "AEP_WM_Setup.CAB" "\My Documents\TrimbleGeoxInstall\AEP_WM_Setup.CAB"

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Visual Studio Solution CAB contents



C# project that installs the applications, copy’s and renames

files, and provides a GUI (AEP_WM6.exe).



SetupDLL that kicks off AEP_WM6.exe once the CAB finishes



Contains everything to install on both 6000’s and 7x’s including

OS firmware, GPS firmware updates and all registry settings.

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Current Provisioning Process

User

factory

resets the

device.

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Current Provisioning Process



Commontimes mSuite is installed to provide the secure tunnel

back into AEP’s network for syncing of data from the field. This

will go away once we move to the Cloud implementation of our

damage assessment tool (GeoSpatial Innovations Scout).

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Old Email with Instructions