Maintaining personal data when using Configurator to restore from backup.....

Hi all
I think I've got this right....and I hope someone has a solution.
At my school we maintain a number of clusters of shared ipads, all supervised by Apple Configurator. When I initially set them up, I created a 'master' ipad wiht folders, profile etc and then backed this one up and then restored from back-up to push this identical 'image' out to create identical iPads. This has worked well.
Over time we have added apps via Configurator, done updates etc. New apps invariably get placed outside folders and things become untidy. It kinds of defeats the purpose to then manually re-organise each device to place the apps into folders etc. The logical thing (seems to be?) is to get one iPad set up wth the appropriate 'new' apps in new folders.....making all as it should be, then create a new back-up of this 'master' ipad and use the back-up to restore to all other ipads so that they reflect the apps being in the new folders all neat and tidy.
Trouble is, as soon as you restore from back-up, any personal data.......photos, documents, movies, etc gets wiped from the machine. Not good in a school environment.
So......have I gone down the wrong path.....is there another way I'm not aware of? How are others managing this? Have I got it totally wrong?
Thanks
Chris.

Hi einnebcj,
I hear you. I too am a mobile device administrator for a school district and encounter the same issues you are experiencing.
I stopped doing folders on my "image." Instead am recommending and encouraging staff and students to use the Spotlight Search screen. When you have several dozen or 100+ apps, scrolling through screens and/or folders trying to find an app can be very time consuming. I am finding that students and staff are able to get to their app faster by searching with Spotlight. Just a quick drag to the right and start typing the first few letters of the app.
Teaching users about the Spotlight Search screen is good for more than just finding apps. It'll also search contacts, email messages, photos, calendar events, music, videos, notes, and more. Furthermore, it'll allow the user to select Safari and search the web. Spotlight is a very valuable tool that I think everyone should take advantage of.
I know this isn't a direct answer to your question, but I hope it helps!
~Joe

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Then you or your son has encrypted the backup in iTunes. This password is 100% whatever you or him put in when you turned on to encypt backups (its a check box in iTunes) and it has nothing to do with that code that was on the iPhone (unless by chance he decided to make it the same thing).
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Read this article. It has some stuff that may help you. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5162

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Hello risenhauer,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
To reset your Apple ID password without knowing your security questions or have access to the email account, you will need to contact Apple Account Security in your country. Links to contact can be found in the article below.
Apple ID: Contacting Apple for help with Apple ID account security
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Hi there,
sorry, but devices with manipulated firmware are not supported here.
regards,
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Hello, JG257.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
If you are unable to import photos from your device, try the troubleshooting steps in the article below.
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3195
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lllaass wrote:
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4914
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rsbann wrote:
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Maintaining personal data when using Configurator to restore from backup.....

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