Storage options for iPad in school

Once you've decided to invest in iPad, along with deciding on which iPad that best suits your chosen deployment model, amongst the associated additional items, you also need to consider how you are going to store your new devices.

Charge and sync? Charge only? Mobile cart? Portable flight case? Desk top unit? Wall cage? Oh my!

It may be you already have a clear idea of how to store your iPads but if not, or you just want to consider the alternatives, this may help.

The first consideration is how you plan to deploy your iPads as this will inform your storage options.

Many schools are deploying their iPads under the Managed Distribution model which, put simply, means all management is carried out wirelessly ‘over the air’ or ‘in the cloud’. Under this method, you will be using an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution such as Lightspeed or JAMF Casper Suite - your KRCS Education Account Manager will guide you as to the best solution.

The MDM will be used in conjunction with DEP (Apple Device Enrolment Program). With this deployment model, a charge only solution is needed as all the initial setup by a KRCS Engineer and ongoing management will be cloud based.

Whilst an Apple Mac is not a requirement in this deployment model, there is still a definite benefit for one or more Apple Macs in your solution; as a caching server to pre download Apps & iOS updates thus saving on bandwidth and because of the benefits an Apple Mac will bring to your solution apart from this: providing access to the full range of Apple Apps such as the desktop versions of iMovie, GarageBand, the iWork Suite - Pages, Keynote & Numbers, as well as iBooks Author. The latter is a great program, and absolutely free, for staff and students to create media rich eBooks.

If, on the other hand, it is decided you do not want to use the Managed Distribution model, then a charge & sync solution is needed as you will need to connect the iPads to an Apple Mac in order to manage your iPads with Apple Configurator  a free tool that runs exclusively on Apple Mac computers.

Having established whether it is a charge only solution you need or charge & sync, there are a number of products available as you will be aware.

Whilst not focusing on one particular brand, I do however like the solutions from Lock n Charge, worth considering for the following benefits they bring:

- 10 yr guarantee on the hardware, 2 years on the electrical components
- designed by teachers for teachers
- carry baskets ensure safe movement around the school - a scary sight is seeing a small person with an armful of expensive iPads!
- they are also strong safe secure smart.

Lock n Charge offer options for mobile carts, wall mounted cages and flight case style units and are all available in charge only or charge & sync options.

KRCS is here to help you make the best, most cost effective choice that suits your deployment model. For more information, just speak to your KRCS Education Account Manager or contact the Head Office Sales Team.