Free MDM for Android devices

[headoned]

Looking at getting a bunch of devices for our science department (have already ruled out kindles as they don't allow easy lockdown or management for the sort of thing we need). So I'm looking at cheap android devices (around £65 per device) and some form of free MDM to set them up and make the system as future proof as possible. Any ideas?

[djm968]

G Suite? - https://gsuite.google.co.uk/intl/en_uk/products/admin/mobile/

[headoned]

Sadly looking at G Suit you now have to pay a subscription for its MDM service unless you already have the legacy software.

[mdrabble]

I'd be interested in this as well as part of a recent staff survey, the majority asked for tablets for internet browsing/research.

[PotNoodleTech]

In my experience cheap android tablets are a bad idea. We've lost 50% in the first two years as they are simply NOT designed for education.

 

Chromebooks are much more suitable as they can be managed and are generally more useful with the keyboard and trackpad built in.

[colly72]

ManageEngine do a free one for up to 25 devices, plus they also do a refer scheme, so you can get up to 75 devices for free. I'm using it here. If you want an extra 10 free licenses, pm me your email address and I'll send you a link.

[TwistedHelixis]

Sadly looking at G Suit you now have to pay a subscription for its MDM service

 

I think its included in the educational version. The only bit I think might be missing is actually pushing the apps out, but you can make a school app store with all the apps in.

[LeMarchand]

So what does the device license that you can get if you buy a chromebook do that the free solutions won't?

[mavhc]

MDMs are kinda useless though, they rarely actually install the apps automatically, don't let you lock down the home screen etc etc

[TwistedHelixis]

So what does the device license that you can get if you buy a chromebook do that the free solutions won't?

If you want to enrol and manage a Chromebook using G Suite you need a license.

[Ditto]

In my experience cheap android tablets are a bad idea. We've lost 50% in the first two years as they are simply NOT designed for education.

Chromebooks are much more suitable as they can be managed and are generally more useful with the keyboard and trackpad built in.

I'd agree with this. Has the Acer 10 Chromebook Tablet matured yet? Or any competitors hit the market. It might not look cheap to start with, but if you end up buying 3 Android tablets over 3 years, 1 reliable device will probably offer a better total cost of ownership.

[TwistedHelixis]

We have always gone with more expansive tablets after learning our lesson getting some cheaper ones. The last few batches we got were Samsung Tab S2. This is in a primary school and we got the first batch of these almost 2 years ago.