Businesses have a variety of options for deploying and managing iPad whether devices are company-owned, employee-owned, or both. Whether you’re deploying a few devices at a time or a large fleet of devices, users will appreciate the simplicity of setup and ease of use that iPad is known for.
iPad integrates with your company’s existing infrastructure thanks to built-in support for key enterprise technologies. Get secure access to email, calendar, and contacts via Exchange ActiveSync or open standards like IMAP, Calendar Server, and CardDAV.
Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync Support
iPad connects directly to enterprise mail servers like Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino via Exchange ActiveSync, providing users with push email, calendar events, contacts, and reminders. IT can enforce complex passcodes and remotely wipe a lost or stolen iPad instantly.
Virtual Private Networks
iPad easily connects with corporate VPN servers to give users secure access to critical business information. With a built-in VPN client and third-party SSL VPN apps on the App Store, connecting to company VPN environments is easy. VPN On Demand uses certificate-based authentication to make connecting transparent.
Standards-Based Servers
iPad also supports standards-based servers for email, calendars, and contacts. IMAP servers enable users to sync email and notes. Calendar Server enables support for calendar servers like iCal Server, while CardDAV and LDAP support gives users access to corporate directories.
Enterprise Wi-Fi
Accessing enterprise Wi-Fi networks with iPad is seamless thanks to support for WPA2 Enterprise Wi-Fi with 802.1X authentication. Features like Automatic Wi-Fi Login and Persistent Wi-Fi make the process of joining known networks and staying connected easy whether users are in the office or on the road.
Device activation and configuration of basic settings are the first steps to deployment. There are multiple ways to accomplish these initial tasks, whether your organization approaches configuration as the responsibility of IT or the end user.
PC Free
iOS allows users to wirelessly activate and set up devices without connecting to a Mac or PC. Users can also download free iOS software updates over the air, and back up and restore their devices automatically using iCloud.
Apple ID
An Apple ID is an account used for identification to Apple services like the App Store, iCloud, FaceTime and iMessage. Users can enter their own Apple ID; if devices are deployed, Apple IDs can be set up for business purposes. Create an Apple ID
iCloud
An iCloud account is configured by the user via the Settings app. iCloud can store music, photos, apps, email, documents, and more, and automatically pushes them to all connected devices. iCloud both sends and stores content in an encrypted format. Depending on your company policy or network environment, iCloud features — including Photo Stream, Document Sync, and Backup — can be disabled through a Configuration Profile.
Learn more about iCloud
Users can easily install enterprise-specific settings and policies for access to corporate services. IT staff can use Mobile Device Management to push out new settings and configurations over the air at any time.
Manual Configuration
Users can manually enter settings or install a configuration file to automatically set up the device and ensure their iPad is secure and ready for work. With simple instructions, they’ll be up and running in no time.
Learn about wireless configuration
Managed deployment
OS X Server and third-party Mobile Device Management (MDM) servers can wirelessly configure and update settings, monitor compliance with corporate policies, and even wipe or lock managed iPad devices. Managed profiles ensure all devices have the latest settings and enable IT staff to distribute certificates and other technical settings. Learn more about MDM
Supervised distribution
Apple Configurator for OS X can prepare, supervise, and assign devices to a group of users. IT can mass configure a set of shared devices with the same settings and apps before the devices are deployed, or regularly reset devices to a specific configuration. Learn about Apple Configurator
IT can orchestrate a range of activities to support the life cycle of the device, including querying for settings and other configuration information, distributing and installing centrally managed apps, and supervising devices under direct control of staff. Learn more
Manage Apps
Many third-party MDM solutions provide app distribution right out of the box. This allows IT to push a notification message to users prompting an install of apps. Apps distributed via MDM are flagged by the server as “managed.” Managed apps and their data can be removed from a device by an IT administrator at any time without deleting other unmanaged apps, allowing the removal of corporate data without impacting personal data.
Query
A Mobile Device Management server also has the ability to query devices for a variety of information to ensure that devices continue to comply with required policies.
Supervise Devices
Apple Configurator can be used to designate iOS devices running iOS 5 or later as supervised, granting ongoing control over device configuration.
Remote Lock, Wipe
If a device is misplaced, an administrator can lock the device remotely (without wipe). If a more comprehensive wipe is needed, an administrator can end the MDM relationship with a device. All accounts, settings, and apps controlled by MDM are deleted, ensuring corporate data is removed without interfering with a user’s personal data. Alternatively, a complete remote wipe can ensure all data is removed.
Get the Apple Store app to shop, make appointments, and more. 