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Changes to Meraki Systems Manager

4/13/2015

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I wrote a post a couple weeks back about using Apple’s DEP to manage your organization’s iPads.  In the article, I showed how we use Meraki Systems Manager to accomplish this at GWAEA.  You may have heard that Meraki recently announced that their Systems Manager product will be moving from free to a pay model.  Here is a link to their announcement.  

https://meraki.cisco.com/blog/2015/03/one-systems-manager-to-rule-them-all/

I have been a Systems Manager user for several years and wondered what this will mean to our organization and I. Although Meraki has offered a pay (Enterprise) version for awhile, they have always had the free version, which is what we use for iOS management.  Last week, I was able to speak with Saralyn Koenig who is an MDM specialist with Cisco Meraki.  She answered my questions about the consolidation and some new features coming with the Enterprise version.

Q - We currently have around 600 iPads in our free Systems Manager dashboard.  What are our options?

A - You could stay with the free version.  As legacy customers, you are able to do that.  If you are new to Systems Manager, you will only be able to use the free version if you have a client count under 100 devices.   You could also upgrade to the Enterprise version and pay for each client.  

Q - If we can stay on the free version, why would we want to upgrade?

A - With the Enterprise version you get support.  You will also be provided with update features.  

Q - Will the free version not get updates?

A - The free version will not receive all the updates and feature releases that the Enterprise version will.  It is possible that some updates, for example, updates associated with iOS updates may be included in both products but there are no guarantees.

Q - What types of features will I receive in the Enterprise version that I do not currently have?

A - Specifically with the MDM portion of the Systems Manager Enterprise, you will find several useful features.  One feature is the ability to whitelist and blacklist apps.  While you cannot prevent installing blacklisted apps, you can set a policy to notify an administrator or even block the device from the internet.  Another feature will assist with managing shared iOS devices.  Users will be able to authenticate on the device and then have a specific set of apps and settings deployed.  Lastly, Meraki is planning on releasing a teacher management app.  Some features will include the ability for teachers to unlock devices and to lock devices into a single app.  

Q - How will the pricing model work?

A - The pricing will be based on device count.  Like all Meraki products, you will be able to purchase one, three and five year licenses.  

Q - If I need to add devices to my dashboard will I have to purchase the licenses first or will there be a grace period?  

A - You can enroll the devices and then make sure you purchase the licenses to cover them within 30 days.

Q - If I have under 100 devices and I want access to the Enterprise features what should I do?

A - You should upgrade to Enterprise, but you have under 100 devices so you will not be billed.  Once you add the 101st device, you will be bill for all devices.  Also, if you are a new client you can enroll in Enterprise and pay nothing as long as you are under 100 devices. It is important to note that users in this scenario (no pay) will not have access to support.

Q - What does the pricing look like?

A - You will need to contact a Meraki reseller for pricing, but it will be very competitive with current pay for products available.

Q - Anything else we should know?

A - We are currently in a window where we are offering steep discounts for educational institutions to convert to Enterprise. That window will likely close on June 1, 2015.  Also, if you want to see what features you will get in Enterprise, you can demo it for a few weeks.  

I want to thank Saralyn for taking the time to answer these questions for me.  I plan on demoing the Enterprise version and will put out a post on how that goes.  




Jason Marshall - Technology Consultant 
@jmarsh77

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Deploying iPads Without Opening the Box

1/28/2015

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At Grant Wood we are rolling out an iPad refresh of 160 iPads to staff.  While we will be providing hands on assistance using Apple’s DEP program, we wouldn’t have to.  Apple’s deployment program (DEP) allows you to provide a user with a new unboxed iPad that will self-enroll and setup once the user has it connected to the Internet.

To get started, go to deploy.apple.com


This is the portal that Apple uses for managing DEP, app purchases, and Apple IDs for students under 13.  The setup process will involve you creating a new Apple ID just for use with the Apple Deployment Programs. This Apple ID will require you to set up two-factor  authentication.  Keep in mind, two factor authentication takes up to three days to be authorized.  In addition, Apple can take up to a week to authorize your DEP account. Plan ahead.


Need help with two factor authentication? - http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204152

From the page shown above, choose Enroll Now this will walk you through setting up an account.  You need to be a person in your organization authorized to do this. The requirements are that you are a C level employee (CEO, CIO, etc... ) There is a list of options to choose from.  If you are not, you will need the assistance of one of these people in your organization to enroll.  I was not able to set up our DEP account, I needed to have our Director of Technology do it.  Apple is pretty strict on this point.  They will call you to verify this, they also look at your organization’s website to make sure you are listed with the proper title.  In our case, they called HR to make sure our Director of Technology was who he said he was.  (I think there were less hoops to jump through in getting a mortgage.)

Picture

Once you have been approved by Apple, you can login and start deploying devices.  Please note: each time you login, you will be prompted to authenticate via two-factor authentication.  If you are in an environment with multiple administrators, it seems the limit is five phone numbers.  Once you select the appropriate number, Apple will send you a text with a four-digit PIN.



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