Why the change for Device Inventory in Jamf School?

[dletkeman]

Can someone explain why the Device Inventory user interface in Jamf School has changed from the previous (legacy) version?

I see from this post on Jamf Nation:

This change doesn’t just offer a new look but improved speed when loading devices. For schools with large deployments, this means you can manage your Apple devices in an even faster and improved manner with quicker  loading and bulk commands.

We manage almost 5200 iPads, and while I’ve noticed more success with bulk operations, the need to constantly deselect before selecting a new set of 500 iPads is time-consuming. I would prefer a slower interface if it meant avoiding accidental bulk operations. For instance, I accidentally erased 20 Apple TVs before fully understanding the new system. There have also been instances where I refreshed unintended devices because I forgot to deselect them.

I appreciate that the new interface shows the storage of each iPad, not just the remaining storage (though this feature works inconsistently). However, I miss the easily identifiable LOST graphic for iPads in lost mode. On the positive side, Bulk Return to Service is much better in the new interface.

Overall, I prefer the older interface. I understand we likely won’t revert to it, but I’m curious why the change was made only to the device inventory section and not the entire Jamf School interface. Usually, I support changes that improve quality of life, but this update has several drawbacks.

While there have been improvements since the release, the persistence of selected devices is unwelcome. I don’t recall much of a feedback period before this change, so I’m unsure why it was necessary. I might be more accepting of the change if I understood the reasons behind it.

Perhaps the persistence issue could be addressed with a global settings option in Jamf School.

I don't think the new interface is horrible but I just wish it could address the elements of what we are lacking from the legacy design.  My experience from Jamf in the past is that you care about user feedback and actively address concerns.  I'm hoping the same exists with Jamf School.

[RayHerring]

How are you seeing remaining storage in the new interface?

The only column I can add to the table is 'storage capacity' which just tells me what it's capacity is not how much is remaining.

[dletkeman]

It is probably doing that but it is reporting it in an unexpected way.  Might be correct, but for older devices I am seeing the following:

• some 16GB iPad Air's report 10.9GB, 11GB, 11.1GB, or 11.3GB
• some 32GB iPad Air's report 26GB or 26.2GB
• some 64GB iPad Air's report 55.8GB
• some 16GB iPad Air Mini Retina's report 9.1GB, 10.9GB, 11GB, 11.1GB, 11.4GB, or 11.9GB
• some 16GB iPad Air 2's report 9.7GB, 10GB, or 11.4GB

I could list more but you get the point.

After looking into it further it looks like any iPad with iPadOS 13.x or earlier shows something similar.  Everything above that I looked at accurately shows 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and so on.

Maybe this isn't a problem for others because they only use newer devices but due to budget constraints we are forced to use some devices that I would normally rather not have in production.

[RayHerring]

For me it isn't showing it at all, period.

If I go to the table settings, and enable 'Storage Capacity', I see the exact total capacity of the device, eg: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB.

I don't see any remaining capacity, etc...

Our oldest devices, in this case, iPad Air 2's all report their exact storage capacity too, since they are running iPadOS 15.

In the old inventory interface, I would see total remaining / total.

eg. 3GB / 32GB.

[dletkeman]

Here's an example:

Older iPads with Storage Capacity

[RayHerring]

Sure, but that's not what I see at all.

Even on our older devices, 'Storage Capacity' shows me the maximum storage capacity of the device.

So 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.

There is no way that I can find, for it to actually show me how much storage space is left, at all.

That's just our oldest iPadOS devices, even the newest ones show the same thing.

The old inventory list would at least show things like: 1.3GB /32GB.

[dletkeman]

Yes, that's what I see too for iPads 14.0 and beyond.  You have to go into the iPad to see space remaining.  Bottom line I'm not seeing very many pros about the new design and I'm wondering why the change.

[hank]

I totally agree to your thoughts about the new inventory and I catch myself and co-workers yelling in anger quite often 😆