iPad Rollout Instructions

When we decided to get a cart of iPads I started spending time trying to figure out how to maintain them. I've learned quite a bit along the way. Below is a list of what I learned as well as a step by step workflow I used to set up our iPads.

These instructions are for my own sanity and for anyone else out there who may want to set up a cart of iPads at their own schools. (last updated fall 2011)

Lessons Learned:

1. Start getting free apps for your cart account as soon as you know you’re getting iPads. I use App Shopper and set it to look for Popular new apps and Popular price drops. Filter for free and spend 30 seconds a day checking it.

2. Setting up the Cart through iTunes

   1. Each iPad must be registered individually out of the box.

   2. Can create “an image” and restore it to the iPads, but it will overwrite the name and won’t bring any passwords with it. This includes email, MobileMe, and WEP keys.

   3. Can’t Update all the iPads at once. Can update through Xcode: Full Direction on how to do this from the MacGyver Chronicles

   4. If you’re relying on FindMyiPad you’ll have to re-enter the password for the MobileMe account after any setup or restore.

   5. Can sync all of the iPads at one time

   6. Set “Restrictions” and accounts on your image and these settings will be copied with restore.

   7. If you restrict the ability to install apps you will not even be able to install through iTunes.

   8. App arrangement and folders can be easily controlled and written with the image.

3. iPhone Configuration Utility

• 1. Can set some restrictions, accounts, and WEP passwords.

     • Can not set “No Changing Accounts”

     • Can not set up MobileMe account

     • If using Google Apps for Education then you should setup email as Exchange ActiveSync.

  2. Can’t control app arrangement

4. Cool Cart Features

• 1. Very sturdy

  2. Arranged really well

  3. Power/Charging lights for each iPad on the back of the cart.

Workflow:

1. Create your image on one iPad

   1. Include all apps you want

   2. Set Restrictions in Settings->General

   3. Add MobileMe account for Find My iPad

   4. Sync iPad to create backup

2. Plug in all iPads and register each individually, can be done in cart. Restore your image to iPads

3. Unplug all iPads in cart and re-plug them in one at a time to name them as the appear in iTunes.

4. Create Configuration Profile in iPhone Configuration Utility

• 1. Must fill in General Information

  2. Wi-Fi - Configure for your network

  3. Exchange ActiveSync (note may be different at your school)

     1. Server: m.google.com

     2. domain: divinechildhighschool.org

     3. user and account: username@divinechildhighschool.org

  4. Install profile on iPads. Must click on each ipad to complete instillation (note this can be done while completing the next step)

5. Put in MobileMe password

6. When you need to restore. Right-click on the iPad in iTunes and select "Restore from Backup" and choose the desired backup. Then pick up the procedure above from step 3.