iPad Deployment

[Kevin]

We are about to deploy 200 iPad Airs to our store managers. The order will be placed later today. We have done pilot testing for iPads that will be deployed internally before, and feel confident that we can enroll iOS devices into our JSS under that scenario.

However, management has decided that the iPads will be shipped to me. I am to unbox, barcode, enroll the iPads into management, re-box them and send them out to the store managers. THEY will set up the iPads with their Apple ID, but we are to have them enrolled before they leave here.

What is the best practice for getting these things enrolled in the JSS?

We are a non-profit (enterprise). We do not have a cart setup to mass image or deploy…

I did a couple of searches but did not find anything easily. Does anyone have a best practices document or an outline of steps taken in other deployments that might help me get this figured out within the next couple of days?

HELP!

[dgreening]

I manage this kind of deployment model for my school district. I'll get you the documentation a bit later today.

[Felipe_hernande]

Apple configurator will be your best bet and a USB hub. They do sell USB hubs bigger that 10 ports you might want to invest in if you can't get a cart.

[Kevin]

Felipe, do you have a procedure document for this type of setup?

[Kevin]

Hey Daniel, were you able to find that documentation?

[Kevin]

OK, I have been fumbling around and think I understand the steps needed…
Now just to perfect the process and make it reliable.

ISSUE: I created a basic configuration in the JSS and saved the xxxxxx.mobileconfig file to my Mac Desktop. If I install that while erasing (to supervise) and Prepare the iPad, the config file fails to install. If I "Install Profiles" manually", it installs the same config file fine.
Ideas?

[steelopus]

Kevin,
If you check the error in Configurator I'll be it mentions something about the network being unavailable. This is usually because the iPads aren't connected to WiFi at the moment the profile is trying to be installed/communicate with the JSS.
My work around has been to first supervise the iPads, then use the Lock To App feature to lock them into Safari (which forces the WiFi to connect), then install the enrollment profile. After that's done, I disable the app lock and refresh.

[Kevin]

It looks like the "setup" has to be run on the iPad before the enrollment profile xxxx.mobileconfig file can be installed. How do I work around that? I don't want to have to "setup" every iPad… I am sure now that i am missing something.

[mbuckner]

Configure one ipad just how you want it (in configurator). Clear the setup screens, set your wallpaper, put apps in folders, etc. Make sure this ipad is supervised if you want all of your ipads supervised by configurator. Now make a backup of that ipad.

Prepare a new ipad in configurator. Install all your apps, then restore the backup you just made onto the new ipad. Now give your new ipad a name. The setup screens should be cleared out (most of them, anyway - iOS7 wouldn't let me clear all of them). After everything is done, make sure your wifi is active and connected, then install the enrollment profile.

[jcarr]

I responded to your other thread, but I'll add..

1. Set up Configurator to Supervise and allow connection to other Macs (enter your organization's info)
2. Do not restore from backup.
3. Build WiFi profile with built-in time bomb to automatically remove the profile after pre-determined period of time. (this may or may not be necessary. if you use the same SSID at every store, don't bother)
4. Add in trust and enrollment profiles.

It should look something like this:
external image link

1. Click 'Prepare' and connect iPads
2. Click 'Stop' when all iPads are done

When complete, your iPads will be up-to-date, Supervised, enrolled and at the start of the setup assistant ('Hello' screen). Power them off and re-box for deployment.

[Kevin]

Jonathan, I simply cannot get this to work…
As long as I do not install a profile to enroll the iPad into the JSS, it works fine. But as soon as I add an enrollment profile, it blows up. I get the following errors:

• Profile Installation Failed
• Profile Failed to Install
• The profile "xxx" could not be installed
• A network error occurred.
• The internet connection appears to be offline.

I tried Stephen's suggestion to lock to app (Safari) and got the same results.

I would rather not restore from backup because I lose the out of box experience for the user, but it is the only way I have been able to get the blasted things to enroll…

[Kevin]

Duplicate Post.

[ahopkins]

When I do this in my school district I start with the wifi first, then add in the MDM profiles later. Seems to work better for me after the wifi is set up.

[Kevin]

This will only work if I login to the iPad and do the initial setup first. Then the enrollment profile installs perfectly. I don't want to have to do that.

Is there a way to install an enrollment profile (using Configurator or not) without having to manually set up each device?

[Usman]

i think you need to change the wifi settings e.g. changing the said later you can revert back. it worked for me (reason in my case there were 40 device max can connect at a time with AP to enrolle