Meraki Systems Manager vs Apple Configurator?

I see people waving around Meraki Systems Manager as an alternative to Apple Configurator for mobile device management, but it is unclear what specific advantages Meraki offers vs Apple Configurator.
There seem to be some very serious limitations, particularly with regard to backing up and restoring device images, as well as App pre-installation. The Apple Configurator stores all that data locally on the iMac's hard drive, and the images and apps to load can be gigabytes in size but transfers as fast as the USB 2.0 iPad cable can handle it.
Meanwhile Meraki claims to be wholly "cloud based", which means it is at the mercy of your Internet connection for downloading or restoring. I am not interested in dragging our Internet connection to an absolute crawl by repeatedly downloading the same gigabytes of data over and over for each "cloud managed" MDM iPad.
How is Meraki handling this, or does it just not do image backups and restores?

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone ( Gyrhead etc ) who has contributed to this thread.
Has anyone written a howto guide for Meraki or another MDM used in tandem with Configurator? 
We are on year 2 of configurator.  We may now add another MDM tool.
We also share the WAN load concerns.   We do not want to drag our internet connection to a absolute crawl. LOL. They called it Skynet for a reason.    Due to our rual location our WAN speed is highly limited.   Using a combination of registry hacks and router tricks we force ios and windows7 and other tools to update only after 4pm.  
FYI.   I've written a howto guide for starting out cold on Configurator. See below. Cheers,  J
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SMBgyzONxcx6_FswgkW9XYLpA4oCt_2y1uw9ceMZ9F4/ edit?usp=sharing
Short URL below, same link
http://goo.gl/ciP8ht

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  • HT201334 Apple configurator vs Profile Manager

    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?

    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.

  • Apple configurator + wireless management

    Can I manage an Apple Configurator ipad cart of 32 ipads wirelessly using Apple server?

    Hi Simon,
    A device must be Supervised in order to take advantage of all of the restrictions available to MDMs. To the best of my knowledge, Apple Configurator is the only tool that can "Supervise" a device. Once Supervised, then an MDM like Profile Manager can take advantage of all the restrictions and settings available for wireless management.
    (from page 19 of the iOS 6 Education Deployment Guide)
    Additional settings and restrictions are available to Supervised devices running iOS 6 or later. Once a device is Supervised these restrictions can be configured via configuration profiles that are delivered via Apple Configurator, MDM or manual download. These restrictions include:
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    Global Network Proxy for HTTP - Routes most all device web traffic through a specified proxy server or setting. This setting is applied across all Wi-Fi SSIDs and cellular networks. Install this setting via Apple Configurator in a non-removable profile for strongest enforcement. Consider using a PAC file for greater flexibility with this setting.
    Allow Removing Apps - Disabling prevents users from removing apps from the home screen.
    Allow Use of Game Center - Disabling removes Game Center icon from the home screen. Use this setting in conjunction with disabling both Allow multiplayer gaming and Allow adding Game Center friends to completely disable Game Center on supervised devices.
    Allow iMessage - Disabling removes Messages icon from the home screen.
    Allow iBookstore - Disabling prevents access to the iBookstore while allowing use of the iBooks app for reading books and PDFs.
    Allow iBookstore Sexually Explicit Content - Allow prevents access to adult content from the iBookstore.
    Allow Configuration Profiles Installation - Disabling prevents users from manually installing configuration profiles directly on the device, which includes enrolling in an MDM server.
    Is there another way to "Supervise" a device without Apple Configurator?
    ~Joe

  • Apple configurator and paid apps without VPP codes?

    Is it possible to use the Apple Configurator to install paid apps by using Gifted apps?
    We cant use VPP as it is not available outside the US and iTunes support suggested the following:
    "Create separate accounts for each Apple ID, and there should be one designated "Purchasing account", which can purchase all of the necessary apps as gifts, and then the redemption codes can be sent to the correct Apple IDs"
    Does anyone have other workarounds for this situation in case this is not possible?
    Thanks.

    Hi Lesli,
    You could use an MDM solution like Meraki Systems Manager (free) http://www.meraki.com/products/systems-manager/ . Purchase VPP codes for your 1:1 teachers. Add the VPP codes to Meraki and distribute to teachers. That way the teachers wouldn't have to tie back to the AC computer. Meraki (and other MDMs) can do things wirelessly.
    You could also email VPP codes to the teachers and have them redeem the codes with their own Apple IDs.
    But to answer your question, yes you should create a separate VPP order for carts vs your 1:1 teachers.
    Hope this helps!
    ~Joe

  • Apple configurator and VPP

    I have got to stage below - i have 20 distribution codes imported but it wont let me tick the box for my VPP apps, only the free ones?
    Any suggestions please

    Hi Lesli,
    You could use an MDM solution like Meraki Systems Manager (free) http://www.meraki.com/products/systems-manager/ . Purchase VPP codes for your 1:1 teachers. Add the VPP codes to Meraki and distribute to teachers. That way the teachers wouldn't have to tie back to the AC computer. Meraki (and other MDMs) can do things wirelessly.
    You could also email VPP codes to the teachers and have them redeem the codes with their own Apple IDs.
    But to answer your question, yes you should create a separate VPP order for carts vs your 1:1 teachers.
    Hope this helps!
    ~Joe

  • Passcode Lock prevents Apple Configurator from working

    We have over 2,000 Supervised iPads in our district. We would like the students to Passcode Lock their iPads to deter other students from messing with the iPads.
    Once the Passcode Lock is set, Apple Configurator no longer works :-(
    Cannot Update/Install Apps
    Cannot Remove/Install Profiles
    Cannot Restore from Backup
    etc
    Must type in the Passcode and Supervise while logged in (which prevents us from closing the lid, plugging in the iPad into the Bretford carts). Once the lid is closed, the passcode lock is activated again. This is a ROYAL PAIN!
    Also, if the teacher is not aware of what the student Passcode is, there is no way of updating the iPad. Multiply this by 2,000 and you can see how much of a pain this is.
    Apple Configurator should be able to work with Supervised iOS devices that are passcode locked. It just makes sense. IF the iOS device is Supervised by Apple Configurator, the Passcode Lock should NOT prevent further management by Apple Configurator.
    Apple, PLEASE FIX IT

    You should leave feedbacke here:
    http://www.apple.com/feedback/

  • Meraki MDM, Apple Configurator & Apple ID Passwords

    Currently I am using Apple Configurator to manage my school's iPads.  Pusing profiles, settings, and of coarse apps (both free and purchased? VPP codes). 
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    I found Meraki MDM, signed up for the free account, took care of all the push certificate stuff, and even installed the Meraki Management Profile through Apple Configurator on some test devices.
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    B- Passing out the generic School Apple ID & password.
    I know I can make a free Apple ID using a bogus e-mail address, but I think worst case scenario with this stuff- I don't want a student to have access to this account and password and start messing with it or even give them the ability to change the password.  I know that 99% of students won't care, but there is always that 1%.
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    Hi Mr_Shul,
    Your question addresses a feature that many of us want Apple to support...the ability to wirelessly distribute apps to school owned devices without requiring end user authentication. However, the process you are asking for is currently unsupported by Apple and most MDM providers. The only supported way Apple currently has to distribute VPP codes tied to one Apple ID is through Supervised devices in Apple Configurator. That being said, there are some unsupported workarounds that can "technically" make this possible depending on the MDM provider you have (Meraki is not one of them). Unfortunately I can't discuss that here. Check with other MDM providers to see if they can point you in the right direction. You may find a solution that will work for you.
    Hope this helps. Good luck!
    ~Joe

  • ZMM to manage iOS without Apple Configurator

    I am looking for some additional information or possibly someone who is doing the following with ZMM in a school or similar environment.
    What I would like to do is to drop the Apple Configurator portion of my deployment of iPads and iPhones so that I only have to manage a single Mobile Management setup. I am having some problems with my deployment which is forcing me to take a second look at whether ZMM is mature or ready for what I am wanting to do. I have been running ZENworks for the PC for 10 years so have some experience in how to manage and force the devices to stay connected.
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    Here is my frustration with ZMM. Perhaps I am doing something wrong or have the wrong impression. I had issues upgrading my ZMM 2.7.3 system to 2.7.6 which require an SR to resolve. Before that time the Enterprise app would not sync even with the app running the background. This seemed to be resolved once we got the server upgraded. Fist to 2.7.6 then during that process to 2.8.0. Now the new problem is that Unless the end users keep apps closed and only run the ZENworks app unless they need the other app the ZENworks app seems to stop responding and doesn't check in with the server like I expected. I have tried to get my end users to keep this process up but that has been almost impossible with only 3 or 4 end users doing this successfully out of about 65. In my opinion it is a little much to ask a standard end user to put that much time and energy to keep the apps clean to that degree just to keep ZENworks talking correctly. As a matter of observation, most of my end users will not even try.
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  • I manage 60 ipads for a school using Apple Configurator. Need to update to iOS7 and AC1.4.3...Is it best to use Mountain Lion or Mavericks, as I also need to update from Lion 10.7 for the new AC and iOS to work properly.

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