Been asked to look at deploying ipads for primary school use.

[Duranis]

I have been asked today to look into the logistics of deploying some "test" ipads for classroom use (primary school age). I suspect we will be looking at around 10-20 initially but if they are useful I think this will ramp up quickly (unfortunately....)

 

I haven't had to set up a mass deployment of Apple devices before so looking at the options. I was hoping people that are already running them might be able to give a few words on things to look out for, useful app's to look at and best practices, etc.

 

From my understand (which is, admittedly limited at the moment) I could use Apple configurator (on a Macbook I have gathering dust here) to create an initial "base" image which could be installed on the iPads and then use Meraki as a free option to lock them down and deploy future app's. Is this correct?

 

The other thing I'm concerned about is how the purchasing and licensing works. I believe I can use one Apple account and volume purchasing to buy apps for all the ipads but I have also seen a few things saying that you need a separate account for each ipad (which didn't seem right, but this is Apple we are talking about).

 

Also I have seen that I would need a APNS to use an MDM solution which is available from Apple. However I have also seen conflicting info about this (some saying its free and others that its $300 a year).

 

In short I want to be able to:

Install/remove Apps and set up things such as WiFi from one central location (ideally remotely).

Lock down the iPads so that users can not install apps/change settings.

Use 1 apple account to purchase and deploy all apps with no user interaction required on the iPad end.

Not pay a fortune for Apple licensing fee's/certificates.

 

Am I on the right track with Configurator and Meraki or should I be looking at alternatives?

 

Thank you so much for any advice you can give. Its the first real project I have been given here since starting a couple of months ago so want to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible and that I have an exact plan in place before they starting buying them in and dropping them on me

 

Edit: Really sorry just noticed the sticky about not posting about mobile devices in Mac forum....... Feel really stupid now as I never even saw the mobile section and was wondering why I could not see any posts about iPads here..........

Edited November 26, 2014 by Duranis

[witch]

If you search edugeek you will find many threads with useful information on this exact subject.

This one may be of particular interest:

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/how-do-you-do/143645-ipad-setup-idiots-guide.html

[Duranis]

That is perfect, thank you. I did do a search but was looking specifically for Configurator\Meraki, should have widened the net a bit