Apple Configurator 2 issues with Blueprints

[mr_anthony]

In my public school job I'm responsible for a cart of 30 shared iPad 4th generation and since we are a Google school and we don't have a MDM, I've deployed them manually using only Apple Configurator (no Apple School Manager.)

Here are some roadblocks and problems I've run into which I could use some advice and/or help with:

 

• When a new app is requested for use in the iPads, first I duplicate the old Blueprint and put today's date on it (for version control), I add the app to the Blueprint in a specific location as preferred by the teacher, then I reapply the blueprint to the existing iPads.
  
  • PROBLEM: Since the iPads are numbered via the blueprint sequentially (e.g.. Library iPad 1, Library iPad 2....Library iPad 30,) when the changed blueprint is re-applied the iPads renumber themselves (e.g.. Library iPad 31, Library iPad 32...Library iPad 60). What option did I overlook or accidently click which causes the iPads to rename themselves every time the blueprint is reapplied?
    

 

 

• PROBLEM: When reapplying the blueprints, I have to babysit the Mac Mini to be there to click a user prompt (e.g... "Do you want to replace the apps?") and there are other things which require my attention in the meantime. How can I automate or streamline this process?
  

 

• ROADBLOCK: Besides apps, we also use web clips for certain educational websites where no app exists, however as far as I can tell, there is no way to prearrange the location of these webclips on the homescreen, which then need to be manually arranged on each iPad afterwards. Is there another way I can do this?
  

 

• ROADBLOCK: Intermittently it seems like when applying the blueprint the entire operation would get stuck or hang and remain that way until either I click "cancel" or at worst unplug the cart from the Mac Mini. Sometimes it would get stuck at downloading apps and other times it would seemingly get stuck at assigning licenses. Has anybody else experienced this issue? I've tried checking in the Mac OS X Sierra's Console.app but I won't let me view logs created at an earlier point in time.
  

 

 

• PROBLEM: Is there a way to prevent students from changing the home screen layout? On Android tablets that my manager manages for kindergarten and first graders it seems like there is no way the students can accidently move the app icons as opposed to the iPads. What am I overlooking here?
  

 

Any and all help would be appreciated it because it feels like there are important things which I am overlooking but can't figure out what, and that frustrates me.

[MicrodigitUK]

Have a look at an alternative to Apple Configurator 2. I must warn it is an annual subscription cloud service, but we have never looked back after switching. https://www.groundctl.com it saves so much time managing our 150+ iPads.

[TLARWise]

Try https://mosyle.com/, it offers a free MDM service which should cover most of what you need it to do.

[j224]

I would also recommend Mosyle. We use the free version.

[jwonnacott]

Having worked in secondary for many years I'm now covering 7 primaries. Everything going fine except ipads. I really need to learn how to use the configurator but can find no useful information. For example: I have an ipad which went brick-like and had to be restored to original; did that OK with DHU and itunes., then attached it to the mac mini running configurator 2, told it to apply the blueprint which it seemed to do(downloade apps, fixed plaeholders, installed apps etc). Configurator is showing it has all apps and profiles but tthe ipad just sits there sayinh hello in many languages. What am I missing please?

 

Thanks,

James.

[saggu]

Try https://mosyle.com/, it offers a free MDM service which should cover most of what you need it to do.

 

I use Mosyle free version. I had a month of free trail of the pro version and when the trail finished switched to free version. but all the settings applied in pro version stays. their support team is pretty good as well.

[AlanD]

I have on a number of ocassion described configurator as the worst piece of software written...although sadly there some others competing for that spot. My main complaint would be its lack of resilience. Start from a clean set of iPads ...great...start from a mixed set some of which have different versions of iOS, different apps installed, etc. Not by choice...but randomly it’s difficult not to end up in such a state...and the result is...well frustrating at best. I hear your pain. Sometimes I’ve had to resort to doing one at a time. You can use apple’s own free MDM, profile manager..which is not as good as the MDMs you pay for..but it’s a bit of pain to set up...but might be worth getting some support from Apple...yes like everything it will cost money.

[ass17]

Having worked in secondary for many years I'm now covering 7 primaries. Everything going fine except ipads. I really need to learn how to use the configurator but can find no useful information. For example: I have an ipad which went brick-like and had to be restored to original; did that OK with DHU and itunes., then attached it to the mac mini running configurator 2, told it to apply the blueprint which it seemed to do(downloade apps, fixed plaeholders, installed apps etc). Configurator is showing it has all apps and profiles but tthe ipad just sits there sayinh hello in many languages. What am I missing please?

 

Thanks,

James.

 

When the iPad has been provisioned with a blueprint, you have to go through a few of the initial screens to get to the home screen.

 

AC2 cannot provision all the initial screen choices.

[3s-gtech]

Yup, when doing a batch you’ll whip through the few manual configuration options pretty quickly. What always takes me the most time is individual iCloud setup and adding them to our MDM (Profile Manager).