Client story College Campus Fast Tracks Deployment for Distance Learning
When a college campus needed more than one thousand Apple devices for a distance learning initiative, Insight Public Sector helped accelerate the deployment with peace of mind.
By Insight Editor / 23 Jan 2021 / Topics: Devices Hardware Featured
Facts at a glance
Client industry:
Higher education
Size of organization:
600+ staff, 28,000+ students
Challenge:
The college needed a simplified way to standardize Apple across the board for a distance learning initiative within two departments. To add to this challenge, the organization needed more than 1,000 MacBook and iPad devices deployed within a 30-day timeframe.
Solution:
- 1,000+ MacBook and iPad devices
- Accelerated device deployment
- Asset tagging for easy logistic management
- Apple device enrollment program
- Touchless deployment via Jamf Mobile Device Management
Results:
- Successful deployment on time and within budget
- Standardized environment for distance education initiative
- Accelerated time to use for students and staff
Solution area:
Supply Chain Optimization
U.S. higher-education institutions are increasingly turning to distance learning, an educational initiative with many moving parts — and in the midst of return-to-school planning during a chaotic pandemic, time has become a precious resource. A college campus in Tucson, Arizona was launching a distance learning initiative. With the fall semester approaching, it needed to quickly pinpoint an effective solution.
The college determined that new devices were needed for internal accounting and IT, as well as an ample size of students switching to remote learning.
The importance of standardization
For many years, the college had used a handful of other manufacturers within its device ecosystem, and fragmentation was becoming more prevalent. With a remote learning initiative underway, standardization was key to simplifying management on the backend and the broader, frontend experience for end users.
No time to lose
It was a clear and ambitious goal: to have 1,015 devices in the organization’s possession in less than 30 days. With the hardware supply chain stretched thin due to high demand, this was challenging. The college sent communication directly to each provider it was considering — and Insight Public Sector was first to respond with a number of viable options for their unique objectives.
Our teams proposed an Apple device deployment which included hardware, warranties and Mobile Device Management (MDM) powered by Jamf. Apple, which is known for its intuitive design, familiar user experience and powerful array of applications, was determined to best meet the needs of the college.
A trusted ally, then and now
In addition to being the first to respond to the organization, our teams also had a strong, existing relationship with the college. Our close ties enabled us to have in-depth conversations to understand the school’s needs, and loop in field reps and other teams immediately.
The road to success
Engaging a broad pool of resources, Insight Public Sector was able to accelerate deployment to meet the college’s less-than-30-day goal. The college is now on track to launch its distance education initiative successfully with 500 MacBook devices and 515 iPad devices ready for use.
In the next five years, the college plans to standardize Apple on a broader scale for a connected campus effort. With touchless provisioning from Apple, this will drive greater control from IT while simplifying management and providing a future-forward end-user experience.
