Push paid Apps using Profile Manager

You have 100 iPad that need to install new apps, and somemore, the apps is PAID one. How you going to deploy? 

Apple has comeout with Volume Purchasing (VPP)method that able to buy the paid apps in bulk and the license can be distribute/install in all iPads.
Sadly, this VPP is not available YET for Asia, especially Malaysia/Singapore. 

So, to able install the apps in all 100 iPad, you need to sign in all the iPad into the same AppleID. Then, buy the apps using iTunes Software and before that, please make sure sign in AppleID same with the iPads. 

Then buy the apps and download it. After finish download, goto library > apps > and find the apps, right click on the apps > show in finder:

From the finder, copy the file to desktop:

After that, login to Profile Manager and select iPads device and click on the setting icon > edit apps:

Click the [+] icon, then find in desktop, the xxx.ipa file. 

 After finish upload the apps into profile manager, then click on Add button to deploy the apps. Click done then click save. 

Wallaaaaa...check the iPads, make sure it connect to your local Wireless network. It will have a notification on the iPads, that the server will ask to install. Just choose install.

Note: this might take time, depend on how big is the xxx.ipa file and also your WiFi speed. If it take more than 15min, try turn OFF and turn ON back WiFi on the iPads.

Deployment Method

If your organization has large quantity of devices, for example:

• MacBook Pro = 300
• iPad = 300
• iPhone = 100
• AppleTV = 50

How we going to manage all the device? If from windows OS, we can used SCCM, clone image, share folder, etc...but in MAC OS, how to manage it? 
The answer is; Apple has come out with several software that able Sys administrator to manage all the device by using Profile and also command script. Below is the list:

1. Apple Remote Desktop (ARD)
2. Apple Profile Manager (PM)
3. Apple Configurator
4. iPhone Configuration Utility
5. DeployStudio

For me, above software has it own advantage and limitation. What PM can do, ARD can't do. Apple Configurator can send Network Profile to AppleTV but PM can't do that. 
You need to combine together all the software to manage all the devices. ARD is good in sending command, perform background installation for MacBook, software deployment for MacBook. While PM is good in apps deployment (iPad), lock/restrict apps or settings, etc..I will cover the PM topic on how to push/deploy paid apps using PM to all iPad.

Apple Configurator may used to create a profile for iPad/iPhone/AppleTV. You can lock/restrict setting on iPad if the iPad is sharing with students for example. Or you can point the iPad to connect only on your choice of network by locking the WiFi setting using Profile. Furthermore, it can restore the image from other iPad that also can be create using this Apple Configurator. If you have 300 iPad, just make 1 Master Profile and 1 Master Image, using USB cable, restore the image and profile using this great tool. 

DeployStudio used is when you have 300 MacBook Pro for Teacher for example, you need to used the same image/software, just do a master copy of the image then deploy it using DeployStudio. This must be done with patch cord. Just make a master laptop/server, install DeployStudio > Connect to switch 24-port, then using patch cord to all client. Run DeployStudio Runtime on each client, then restore the image. I will cover how to do the image on the next topic.

There is powerful software; Mobile Device Management (MDM) called Casper Suite. This is MDM is one package of the device management. Even more powerful that can force background software update. 

Later I will update briefly on how to used all this tools.

Holaaaa!!

Welcome to my blog. I will say, this blog is overall for MAC OSX/iOS lover out there. Any OSX Administrator, MAC System Engineer I hope can share with me any tips and tricks on managing OSX/iOS devices.

My name is Mohd Faizal and I currently working in Marlborough College Malaysia - IT Department. This is international school and using 100% OSX/iOS (Teachers & Students). When I write this, I have 2 Years working experience (in Window OS) and 9Month experience (OSX) that currently working in Marlborough College Malaysia.

I am forgetful person, that why I will post any new knowledge/skills/tips on MAC OSX/iOS to share with you guys and also for myself to refer back. I hope anyone who are working with the same environment with me (Support OSX/iOS), could share any information about managing OSX/iOS. 

Okie dokie...
PairJal