Android phones in business

ashrobbo

ashrobbo

ashrobbo

Associate
Joined
3 May 2009
Posts
805
Lets say I wanted to deploy a large amount of android phones (50-60).

1. whats the best way to set them all up the same? is there a deployment tool?

2. I dont really want to setup 60 google accounts individually, can i use one master account for all devices? Ill be using meraki MDM to deploy apps so i assume I need a google account setup?

3. Any way of mass deploying exchange settings? Meraki MDM cannot do this (only with iOS :( )

4. any other tips?

Ash
 
Android is hot garbage for these sorts of deployments, it's why people tend to do everything through Good (which is terrible) and then leave it at that.
 
Don't need a google account to setup exchange bud. Just throw them at the end users along with an A4 page on how to setup exchange accounts on them.

Let them deal with their own google accounts if they want to download apps on to them.

Android is probably the most flexible platform to MDM - iOS is just pants, and Windows Phone 8 is too from an MDM perspective. Android allow far greater control using MDM of which I'd recommend some sort of cloud based MDM service for only 60 users.

Big fan of SOTI here ;)
 
I'm looking at doing something similar. I imagine for cloud storage of names/number though you'd need a Google account wouldnt you.

Hmmmm its just occured to me. How on Earth would you get all the names and numbers off users who have BlackBerrys when they don't allow you to copy the numbers from the phone to the SIM?
 
If they already sync with exchange won't their contacts just transfer back across when they sync the new device?
 
the MDM (cisco meraki) being used will require install of apps from android store etc remotely, which in turn will need a google account. Unfortunately ou cant push exchange settings only iOS (bugger!) so this is manual!

Looks like a single google account with nothing synced.
 
can you not grab an apk standalone version of the meraki app? - That way you can whack it on from an SD card.

But I have to agree with you - the consumer designed devices really are a pain to configure for enterprise.

you've only got 60 of these to worry about, i've got 1,400 - ios, android, windows mobile, windows phone - me head hurts thinking about how I'm gunna get them into a managed state lol!

I hope Windows Phone 8.1 will bring something new to the table - forcing these other platforms to start thinking about those of us who need to manage devices too.
 
Last edited:
Just out of interest what are people's drivers behind wanting to "manage" the company phones?

See what apps the users are installing?
Ability to remote wipe?
Ability to publish software to the phone?

Just interested as we have a MDM project on hold atm
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom