Apple's Device Enrolment Program

Apple's Device Enrolment Program (DEP) is designed to enable schools to seamlessly set up and provision new iOS Devices or Mac computers. DEP in conjunction with an MDM system offers the fastest and the simplest way to set up and configure new devices and also existing devices (under certain circumstances)

How it works

Step 1

Enrol

Step 2

Configure your MDM servers

Once the MDM is setup you can choose to assign devices using the device serial numbers that have been purchased.

Step 3

Assign user profiles using your MDM server

You can customise the setup assistant and the device will be automatically enrolled into the MDM and configured.

Zero-touch Configuration

With the DEP, large-scale deployments of iPad are seamless. You can automate MDM enrolment for every device; so upon activation, you can immediately configure account settings, apps, and access to services over the air. There’s no need for staging services and no need for IT to physically handle each device using Apple Configurator.

Mandatory and lockable MDM enrolment

DEP enables you to automatically manage all of your devices. While completing the Setup Assistant, the device can be pre-configured to require automatic enrolment into MDM. This ensures that devices are configured based on your institution’s requirements, and guarantees that all users get the same setup on their devices. You can also lock users’ device in MDM for ongoing management.

Wireless supervision

Supervision mode provides a higher level of device management for iOS devices. It allows additional restrictions, such as turning off iMessage or Game Centre and it provides additional device configurations and features, such as single-app mode. You can wirelessly enable Supervision mode on a device as a part of the setup process.

Streamlined Setup Assistant

DEP makes it even easier to set up users on iPad, iPhone, or Mac. After you’ve configured devices through your MDM solution, users are guided through the activation process with the built-in Setup Assistant. You can streamline the Setup Assistant even further by specifying that certain screens be skipped.

What are the advantages of using DEP?

Apple’s DEP simplifies the enrolment process by allowing wireless and supervised enrolment of devices without the need to plug each iPad into Apple Configurator. It prevents students from removing the MDM Profile and can be used to assist with recovery of lost or stolen devices.

What about existing iPads?

You can enrol devices up to 3 years old and as long as they have been purchased from Apple or an Authorised Apple Reseller who has enrolled in the DEP program.

Can you remove the MDM profile from iPads using DEP?

You can prevent the end user from removing the MDM profile.

What are the compatible versions of the operating system?

iOS 7+

OS X 10.9+ (Mavericks)

If not using DEP can you still disallow MDM profiles from being removed?

No, the only way you can disallow the end user from removing the MDM profile is by using DEP. Most MDM providers provide an email notification if an MDM profile has been removed.

Can you use DEP if you currently use Apple Configurator for deployments?

Absolutely, devices can still be added to the school's DEP account and when they are re-setup again they will go through the DEP enrolment process to supervise and enrol them onto the MDM. Any Redeemable Codes used with Apple Configurator can also be migrated to Managed Licenses via Apple.