Recommended Pre-requisite Hardware for Managing Apple iOS Devices

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The following hardware is recommended to have on-site prior to purchasing and attempting to manage Apple iOS Device:

  • Powered 2.0+ USB Hub (for managing only – hub will only charge iPod Touch, not iPad) – an example of a compatible 10-port powered USB hub is linked below:
  • More powerful hub for managing (syncing/charging) iPads – an example here.
  • Optional – Syncing/charging tray or cart.  Several options are currently being tested.  We will post our recommendations once testing is complete.
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Support for Apple/Mac Hardware

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Please use the following procedures when your school is in need of support with Apple/Mac hardware (MacBooks, iPads, iPods, etc.):

  1. School is to enter a technology work-order for support on Apple/Mac hardware just as would be done for non-Apple hardware.
  2. Technology Support Technician (TST) will respond to school and assess situation.
  3. TST will resolve the issue if it is within their scope.
  4. If the problem is beyond the scope of a TST, issue will need to be handled by returning item(s) to Apple or possibly The Apple Store for service.
  5. Returns and service with Apple is to be handled  by the local having the issue.

 

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Purchasing Procedures for Apple Products

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Please use the following procedures when your school would like to purchase Apple iPod Touch or iPads:

1.  Request a quote via email from Elisa Lorentz (elisa.lorentz@hallco.org).  Please be as specific as possible with the quote request including the following:

  • Model (iPad – 16GB, 32GB, 64GB; iPod Touch – 8GB, 32GB, 64GB)
  • Quantity
  • Protective covers (Technology can make a recommendation upon request.)
  • Engraving information (Example: “Property of Hall County Schools”)
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Establishing a School iTunes Account

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  1. Setup a G-mail account (if one doesn’t already exist) for the school specifically for use with Apple iTunes.  A suggestion for the format of the G-mail address is to use the school’s abbreviation as in the following example:  School Name:  Hall County School  Example G-mail address: hcsapple@gmail.com;  Click here to create a school G-mail account.
  2. Create a school iTunes account by using the following procedures:
  • Open iTunes and ensure iTunes is up-to-date by clicking Help on the top navigation menu, Check for Updates.  Please run any needed iTunes updates prior to proceeding.
  • Navigate to the App Store by clicking on App Store from the top navigation bar.

  • Important:  Before proceeding to the next step, you must download and install a free app.  To find a free app, navigate to the the Top Charts column on the right side of the App Store window.  Scroll down until you see the list of Free Apps.  Select any app by clicking on it.  Then click Free App underneath the app icon.
  • In the pop-up window, click Create Apple ID.
  •  You are directed to the “Welcome to the iTunes Store” screen. click Continue.

  • You’ll need to read and agree to the iTunes Store Terms & Conditions.  Make sure you check the box next to “I have read and agree to these terms and conditions.”
  • Click Continue
  • Enter the school G-mail address (the one created in Step 1 or an existing one), create your password (something you won’t mind sharing with a few others if needed), continue to create and answer your security questions, and then enter your birthday (1/1/1980 can be entered for schools).
  • Once you are satisfied with the information entered, click Continue.
  • Select None as the payment type.
  • Continue to fill out the required name and address fields (use your school’s information to complete).
  • You’ll then see a “Verify your Account” screen.  Click Done, and then check your school G-mail account for a verification email from iTunes Store.
  • Open the email, and click the link enclosed in the email to activate the school iTunes account.
  • Once you click on the link, the Apple ID website should ask you to sign in with your account name and password.
  • After signing in, you should see that the school G-mail address is associated with your Apple ID.  A button labeled “Return to the Store” should appear.
  • Once you sign in, you’ll then see the below “Congratulations” screen.  Click Start Shopping to be taken to the App Store home page.
  • More information about how to create an iTunes account without a credit card can be found here.

 

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Getting Started with Apple Configurator

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Apple Configurator is an application for deploying, managing and configuring iOS devices.  Apple Configurator can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for your school’s designated Mac computer.

Please watch the videos below from the Tech Recess blog to get started with Apple Configurator.  These videos are based on the Version 1.00 release of Apple Configurator but should still give you enough information to get off the ground with AC.  The current release is Version 1.1.2 and here is a list of what is new with Version 1.1.2:

What’s New in Version 1.1.2
The Apple Configurator 1.1.2 update is recommended for users who experienced issues after updating to version 1.1.1.

It also includes the following changes from Apple Configurator 1.1 and 1.1.1:
• Improves reliability and ease of use when installing paid apps with Volume Purchase Program redemption codes
• Fixes additional issues with importing Volume Purchase Program spreadsheets
• A new preference to disable the automatic removal of apps or profiles installed by the user when a configuration is reapplied to a supervised device
• A new preference to disable reapplying a configuration each time a supervised device is connected to Apple Configurator
• The profile editor now indicates when a profile cannot be installed on a supervised device due to a missing value in a required field

Here are the videos from Tech Recess:

Video 1: First Look at Apple Configurator + Resources | Tech Recess

Video 2: Supervising Devices with Apple Configurator | Tech Recess – This 17 minute video walks through the following:

  • Configuring a lockscreen with a message (1 minute)
  • Building a supervision profile with restrictions (1:30)
  • Installing free applications at once in a batch (6:15)
  • Creating a device group (9:15)
  • Adding VPP applications and showing how redemption codes are handled at the device level (10 minutes)
  • Assigning a device to a user (13:45) (We won’t be using this feature at this time.)

 

Apple also recently posted a video tutorial titled “Introduction to Apple Configurator”

Other Apple Configurator Support documents:

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