Device Management lets you run macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS and Android devices from one console. Start here to see the order of work: set up each platform once, enrol devices, then apply controls and software to the devices or device groups you pick.
Overview
The work follows five steps, each covered by its own article:
| Step | Article | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Platform support | Which device management features each platform supports: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android and ChromeOS |
| 2 | Enrolment overview | Which enrolment method fits each platform, based on your current setup and on whether admins or employees run it |
| 3 | Controls overview | Security, restriction, login and configuration controls for managed devices, and the platforms each one supports |
| 4 | Software overview | The software types on each platform and what each supports, so you can pick how to deploy every app |
| 5 | MDM compliance overview | Ongoing checks of every managed device against your security and IT policies: which device states count as a violation, and how they turn into tickets |
How to use
Set up your platforms
Each platform needs a one-time setup before any device can enrol.
- Apple. Create the Apple Push Notification service (APNs) certificate. Without it, Factorial IT cannot manage your Apple devices.
- Windows. Check that your Windows editions are supported. No other setup is needed before devices enrol.
- Linux. Check that your Linux distributions are supported. No other setup is needed before devices enrol.
- Android. Connect Android Enterprise. This lets Factorial IT manage your Android devices and deploy apps from Google Play.
Manage your fleet
Once devices are enrolled, four tools help you run them:
- Device groups aim controls and software at specific sets of devices.
- Custom fields hold attributes specific to your company, and feed the rules of device groups.
- Script library stores the shell, Python and PowerShell scripts you run on devices.
- Audit logs record every action taken on your devices.
Tips and Best Practices
- Follow the steps in order. Devices cannot enrol on a platform until its one-time setup is done.
- Do the Apple and Android setup first if you have those devices. They are the only platforms that need more than a check.
- Check platform support before you plan a rollout. Not every feature is available on every platform.
- Build device groups early. Controls and software target devices or device groups, so groups save you picking devices one by one.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Troubleshooting
- Apple devices cannot be managed. The APNs certificate is missing. Create it in the Apple platform setup.
- Android apps from Google Play cannot be deployed. Android Enterprise is not connected. Connect it in the Android platform setup.
- A feature is missing for one platform. Check Platform support. Not every feature exists on every platform.
FAQ
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Which platforms can I manage?
macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS and Android, all from the same console.
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Do Windows and Linux need any setup before devices enrol?
No. Just check that your editions or distributions are supported.
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Can I apply a control to only some devices?
Yes. Apply controls and software to the devices or device groups you choose.
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Where can I see who did what on a device?
In the audit logs, which record every action taken on your devices.