New Ipads/Trolley

[boogster]

Hi

 

I have been asked to source some iPads (yes I know..but this is what they want) and a charging trolley. They want a basic setup and don't want to have to purchase a mac etc to configure and I believe will use apple configurator. Can anyone recommend a decent trolley for storage/charging and an idea of how they would go about synchronising if put apps on one. As there will only be 13 it is not too much of a problem to I presume create an iTunes account and then replicate with apps across to others. Will they require any software or licensing to do this.

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Joanne]

I like the Parotec iNsync cases. I think the smallest one may be a 16 bay though.

 

If you want to use apple configurator, you will need a mac. I got the cheapest macbook air. If you are using free apps, your single itunes account will suffice. If you are using paid apps, you will have to sign up to VPP. However, you don't strictly HAVE to... if you know what I'm saying.

[hallb15]

Apple configurator is an Apple only application - there isn't a windows version. -EDIT @Joanne beat me to it!

 

13 is a large enough number to be a complete pain to manage just using iTunes, but not really enough to warrant buying a MacBook to run the configurator.

How are the iPads likely to be used in school - by staff or pupils? If they are for staff, its probably best for you to have a good AUP, explain what staff can and can't use the iPads for and just let them manage their own apps.

For pupils, that's a whole different ball game. Look at MDM from Meraki or Spiceworks if you already use it (both free).

Either way, you've got a lot of work ahead.

 

It would be a good idea to speak to an Apple specialist or good supplier to see what they recommend.

[ijk]

These trolleys are great: Isis iPad Charge & Store Trolley | ISIS Concepts

[boogster]

Thanks for input guys.....I don't think this has been thought out too well and not even sure if they know what they want them for. I believe they will use free apps only so will not need to purchase a mac just yet. If they are for use of pupils is it really as bad as you say......

 

So in short they could get away with using iTunes to download apps to the 13 from the same account? Is there not a limit?

 

If they required a Apple specialist/consultant does anyone know one?

[ICTDirect_Dave]

The Isis trolleys are great!

 

Drop me a PM if you want a quote

 

Otherwise it'd suggest something like the Monarch GoCabby as an excellent Sub-£1000 Sync case.

 

If they don't want to shell out loads on a macbook, how about a Mac Mini? I've got some lovely refurb ones that a lot of schools have been buying to use in configuring their iPads. Mavericks, 8GB RAM and an SSD for less than £350!

[hallb15]

Thanks for input guys.....I don't think this has been thought out too well and not even sure if they know what they want them for. I believe they will use free apps only so will not need to purchase a mac just yet. If they are for use of pupils is it really as bad as you say......

 

So in short they could get away with using iTunes to download apps to the 13 from the same account? Is there not a limit?

 

If they required a Apple specialist/consultant does anyone know one?

 

Yes, they can be a right royal pain - just look at all the other threads on this forum!

 

I'm not aware of a limit to the number of iDevices you can connect to one iTunes installation. You can use the same appleID on many devices so you could create one appleID for school and use that on all 13 iPads. There's already lots of info out there about ways to configure multiple devices on the same appleID. This is quite a simple one to read to get you started:

iTunes 101: Multiple Devices, One iTunes Account — Tech News and Analysis

 

I think you should find a supplier who is willing to loan you a couple of iPads for a trial period to see how they work with your current infrastructure. You can then get a feel for how easy/difficult it would be to manage multiple units. You'll also get an idea of the quality of the free apps that are out there, and decide if that's really what you want. You could try Academia.co.uk - we borrowed 3 iPads from them for a month last year. It really helped us and in the end we decided we didn't have enough budget to get everything we would need to make it work for us.

 

If you do decide to go ahead and get 13 iPads, a cheap mac mini is an excellent idea - bear in mind you'll need a monitor etc (or use a KVM switch)

You don't necessarily need to get the latest iPad Air, a 4th Gen iPad with retina display will be significantly cheaper and the money you save can be put towards buying the right hardware solution or better apps.