HT201334 Apple configurator vs Profile Manager

Question

I downloaded apple configurator and have it working. Then I realized profile manager in OSX Server does the same thing. What is the difference, can I leave it as is? Any benefit of just using profile manager?

Answer 1

Apple configurator has its uses.
Apple configurator can be used as a "manual" standalone solution to manage you iDevices and AppleTVs.
Apple configurator can be used in blended approach with Profile Manager.
With Profile Manager you can manage iDevices , Macs , and I believe AppleTv over the AIR.
- Apple Configure Stand Alone.
When using Apple Configurator by itself you can , lock down an iPad in a way you see fit.
1. You can make an iDevice in "Supervise Mode" increasing restricting of your iDevice , Profile Manager cannot do this at the moment , this feature will be available in Mavericks.
2. Any future configuration changes to your iDevices , must be physically plugged in everytime for those changes.
3. You can distribute free and paid apps.
4. You can update your IOS updates all at once. When IOS 7 comes out this fall you probably dont want to touch every iDevice and update 1 at a time. You can use Apple Configurator to download the latest IOS , and any IDevice that you plugin will receive the update, this means downloading th IOS update one time on the mac, and pushing it out to whoever needs it. Profile Manager can't do this.
5. You can name several iDevices sequently. If you have a cart of 30 it will be easy to rename your iDevices. Profile Manager can't do this.
6. Apple configurator allows you to "backup and restore" its not a true complete image but its close. Profile Manager does not do backups or restores.
7. Apple Configurator can be used to erase an iDevice.
8. I'm probably missing some more features.
- Profile Manager Stand Alone
1. You can manage Macs not just iDevices.
2. You must enroll the device before you can manage it, this can be done by pushing out an email , via a website etc.
3. Everything happens over the Air.
4. When enrolling , users can use their Open Directory or Active Directory ( if your Apple server is bound to AD server ). You can also create a generic account for enrolling purposes.
5. You can wipe devices over the air.
6. You can make pass code resets for iDevices.
7. You can manage users in groups , even nested groups. I manage staff and student iDevices. Our wireless system is seperated for staff and students each wireless has its own SSID. I created 2 upper level Profile Manager Groups , one called WiFi Student and one called WiFi Staff, all my student iDevice groups are nested under WiFi Student group and all my staff idevice groups are nested. This makes managing my wifi a breeze. I also include my mifi wireless info , in case i need a backup emergency wireless.
8. Im sure theres other features.
- Apple Configurator And Profile Manager Blended
1. Push out initial wifi settings. I setup a simple wireless router to connect my devices ( there are types when I setup over 50 ipads , and our network runs out of IPs)
2. You can use Apple Configurator to push out Profile Managers "enrollment profile" to many iDevices. You dont want to enroll a full iDevice cart one at a time via a web browser.
Maverick and IOS 7
In the fall everything will change , it is amazing what we will be able to do. Over the Air Supervise Mode , Install Apps over the air with no user interaction, App codes become licenses , which are revokeable and reusable. Out of the box enrollment ... There may be no need for Apple Configurator come this fall. So many things are changing I recommend watching the new WWDC2013 Videos, specially the one on device management.
Back to original topic. 
I value both products , they have their specilties and when you blended , you can get things done efficiently.