Better iPad Management and Deployment at Actua

Company 

Actua is a national charity that aims to prepare today’s youth with foundational skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The organization offers experiences that build critical skills and confidence, helping young people gain the confidence they need to pursue their desired career path and be strong innovators and leaders. 

Goal 

Currently, Actua has programs in every province and territory across Canada. They use Apple iPads in their year-round coding and digital skills camps, clubs and workshops for youth in Kindergarten to Grade 12 in different schools and communities.  

Actua found themselves spending a lot of time and money shipping iPads back and forth in order for us to implement updates, add new apps or change passwords. They needed a more efficient way to make these changes. 

SupportMyMac 

Our team looked into different mobile device management systems. With Actua’s iPads spread across the country, we needed a way to manage these devices from our office in Ottawa. After consideration, we identified Jamf Pro, an Apple Device Management system to be the best solution.  

Jmaf Pro allows us to troubleshoot and keep Actua’s Apple devices up to date and secure. The tool also ensures the devices always have the proper resources, apps and services that the organization needs. 

Outcome 

No matter where the iPads are located, there are now a variety of tasks we can complete all from our Ottawa office. The areas where Actua has seen the most benefit include: 

• Updating and adding new apps: Jamf Pro allows us to add a new App to all the iPads Actua chooses at one time. This allows for easy set up for their programs. 
• Changing background photos: Very simple but Actua is an organization with a strong brand image. Keeping things consistent across the organization is important. Therefore, we can change the iPad’s background photo depending on the program and their overall needs.  
• Update IDs & passwords:  Through the configuration of profiles, Jamf Pro allows us to apply Wi-Fi, VPN and email settings to multiple users so they can connect to the resources they need easily.. For example, if a school’s Wi-Fi password changes, we can update it on all Actua’s iPads at one time rather than students having to do it on every individual device.   
• Lock devices that are missing or lost: With so many iPads spread across so many places if one gets permanently or temporarily misplaced we are able to lock it. With devices across the country, this feature gives Actua employees peace of mind that their data and files are safe and secure. 

The implementation of Jamf Pro has eliminated the hassle of having to ship iPads back and forth from Ottawa when they needed work to be done on them. We can now take a proactive approach to manage any Macs, iPads or iPhones that Actua is using across the country. 

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