iom100

We've been offered a managed print setup with Kyocera printers. I've never even seen one, so don't feel able to judge the quality, ease of use or reliability. Any thoughts? We're looking at the FS2100, FS4100 and FSC8600DN

That's a new one for me - care to explain how it fits together?

We're using FingerPrint on our Windows print server. It's cheap and it works well. You do need to have a print server on the same subnet as your iOS devices though.

Not wirelessly, no. How you want to use is it obviously depends on what model you're using, but I use Apple Configurator to return class sets of iPads (64 in total) back to a known good before giving them out again. Apple Configurator works really well for us and certain not just for first time deployment. By 'supervising' the devices it means we can deploy paid apps and keep hold of the licenses so we can re-use them on whichever devices need the apps next. I wouldn't want to use Meraki for app deployment as you need to enter in credentials on device every time. Horses for courses.

And an even better option is Apple Configurator. Lots of other threads about this...

Railway modeller here (early stages of a OO layout set in early 1990's). Currently getting the loft converted so I have more room for what I want to do!

I've answered this in a PM, but it might be useful to other people too: the App layout is part of the backup so Yes you can sync folders. You have to set up one iPad as you want it and then take a backup of it within Apple Configurator. You then restore the other iPads to the backup image. Be aware that various other settings (photos etc) are also included in the backup so be careful when you create your reference image. I found the process a bit fiddly to get things to restore in the right order. IM

Thanks. I was sure I had written something but apparently not. I'm clearly an idiot.

Hi again. Just a gentle nudge. I popped a message into message admin as requested but nothing seems to have happened.

Report of benefits here: Naace: The iPad as a Tool For Education - a case study

Campervanning is great fun. Don't buy a VW though - completely overpriced because of the hipsters who buy them. I have a Toyota Granvia - it's a dream to drive.

I can't find a way to change my edugeek username. Can it be done?

Don't rush it. Read this: http://www.meraki.com/lib/pdf/meraki_whitepaper_ios.pdf Take time to understand the devices and model that Apple uses. Purchasing the apps once and deploying to multiple devices is normally a breach of the developers copyright unless you have explicit permission. You probably need to get signed up to the Apple Volume Purchasing Program.

Mac mini should be fine for running Apple Configurator. Note that you will need an extra adapter to connect a VGA monitor. Otherwise a HDMI monitor is an extra expense. Apple Configurator allows you to configure all the same things as Meraki, but also has features for backing up the devices. Crucially, it also allows you to deploy apps (free and paid for) without any input on the device itself. This means I can deploy an app to 16 ipads (via a USB sync hub thing) in minutes.

Depends on how you enforce the PIN or passphrase. Would you know if teacher/admin removed the PIN 'because it was annoying'? This leads to some sort of MDM software - which probably gives the extra nice-to-haves such as remote wipe and location tracking. How are you accessing the data - with an iPad I've found that it's fairly likely to be cloud based. You've got to then think about the network and hosting security too.

Apple configurator can deploy apps en masse quite easily. I download the apps from iTunes on a Macbook, then import them into Apple Configurator. If they are paid apps then you need to be looking at the Volume Purchase Programme.

Yes - not problem. Certainly a couple of new Apple IDs (one for manager and one for facilitator- see Apple (United Kingdom) - Education - Volume Purchase Programme). Not sure about Meraki - would be interested to know what happens if you try using the current one. Definitely easier with Apple Configurator than messing around with iTunes.

Yes. The Loxit Charge Connect has decent tough plastic wheels, plenty of carrying handles, and good ventilation. 16 iPads weigh ~10Kg without any sort of case, so a class set is always going to be heavy. I'm glad we have lifts in our building.

We've got some of the Loxit ones for 16 iPads. They are blooming heavy when full though - I wouldn't want to carry it up stairs!

I'm looking for a quote for some iPads and charge/sync trolleys (like the Loxit ones). It'll be a large order, but I need to get the order placed by the end of the week. Can anyone recommend a speedy supplier who gets back to you pronto? We've used Stormfront in the past but they're not responding to emails or phone calls. Ta, Ian

Merkai sent me this link to a whitepaper this week, it might be helpful: http://www.meraki.com/lib/pdf/meraki_whitepaper_ios.pdf Whilst it's mainly about Meraki it covers some of the background and ins and outs of Apple Configurator (supervision etc) in quite a helpful way.

At the risk of being accused of advertising, my employers are running a short course on this topic in the summer. I'm only involved tangentially: https://www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/centres/national/courses-and-events/49086-64535

Not sure what part of the world you're in, but you might be interested in the York CAS Hub meeting we're hosting next week: CAS York Hub Meeting - Eventbrite

There are a few options, but they are all quite new at the moment. We're playing with one of these at the moment: Global Gateway > Vernier Software & Technology It doesn't talk nicely to our WPA Enterprise wireless. I'm also aware of this app from PASCO for use with their AirLink thingies: PASCO : Equip Your iPad for Science with SPARKvue® HD

My instinct is that Dropbox etc are much safer than a USB stick. (Risks of loss, corruption and spread of malware). Obviously there are other things to think about too - DPA and network reliablity. Has anyone done a proper comparison or Risk assessment?