As a company expands its mobile infrastructure, the task of managing an increasing number of devices becomes exponentially more complex. Traditionally, IT administrators face the laborious task of manually configuring each device: a process that not only consumes valuable time but is also difficult to scale and increases the likelihood of human errors and inconsistent configurations. It is in this context that Zero-Touch Enrollment becomes particularly attractive, offering an automated solution to overcome these challenges inherent in large-scale manual management.
Avoid investing countless hours in configuring each device. Zero-Touch enrollment automates this process, allowing devices to reach your employees ready to use, with the necessary security policies and applications already installed. This not only frees up your IT team from repetitive tasks but also boosts productivity from the outset and minimizes security risks.
In this article, we will explore in depth what Zero-Touch is, how it works, its many benefits, and the key strategies for successfully implementing it within your organization, highlighting how Applivery further simplifies this process.
What is Zero-Touch enrollment?
Zero-Touch enrollment, or out-of-the-box enrollment, is a simplified process provided by Google for provisioning Android devices for enterprise management on a large scale. Imagine receiving your new devices, turning them on, and having them automatically configured with your company’s management, without the end-user having to perform complex steps.
This enrollment method is designed for both IT administrators and employees. For administrators, Zero-Touch ensures fast, simple, and secure large-scale deployments. By enforcing management from the start, devices are ready for employees to use immediately upon powering them on. Administration becomes intuitive, eliminating unnecessary and complicated configurations.
How does the Zero-Touch enrollment process work?
The process is simple and easy:
- Device acquisition: the company purchases compatible Android devices running Android 9 or later and certified by Google Mobile Services (GMS).
- Zero-Touch portal registration: a Zero-Touch account is created for the company, and the purchased devices are associated with this account.
- MDM/UEM configuration: the IT administrator configures their endpoint management provider (such as Applivery) within the Zero-Touch portal, indicating how the devices should be configured.
- Automatic deployment: when the devices are turned on for the first time and connected to the internet, they are automatically enrolled in the configured management platform, applying the predefined policies and applications without user intervention.
Which Android devices are compatible?
Zero-Touch Enrollment is compatible with all devices running Android 9 or later that are certified by Google Mobile Services (GMS). The vast majority of modern enterprise Android devices meet these requirements.
What are the benefits of using Zero-Touch for your company?
- Simplicity and flexibility for IT: greatly facilitates the massive deployment of devices, saving the IT team time and effort.
- Fast and simple implementation: devices are automatically provisioned and ready for employees to use simply by logging in.
- Total and continuous control: maintains control of devices at all times, even after factory resets, ensuring the security of corporate information.
- Fluid end-user experience: employees receive a new device that is ready to work, improving adoption and productivity from day one.
- Enhanced security: Ensures that corporate security policies are applied automatically and unalterably from the start.
- Operational efficiency: significantly reduces the costs and time associated with device implementation and management.
- Effortless scalability: simplifies the onboarding of new devices as the company grows, eliminating the need for individual manual configurations and enabling efficient management of device fleets of any size.
What strategies are recommended for a successful Zero-Touch deployment?
To ensure a successful implementation, consider these key strategies:
- Define a clear and detailed device policy: establish precise rules on usage, security, permitted applications, and necessary configurations for each user profile or department. Clearly define whether a COPE (Corporate-Owned, Personally-Enabled) or BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model will be used.
- Select the appropriate MDM/UEM solution: Choose an endpoint management platform, that is fully compatible with Zero-Touch enrollment and that adapts to the specific needs of your company. Applivery offers efficient and robust integration, enabling monitoring, configuration, comprehensive management, and automation of the Zero-Touch process.
- Automate configuration and deployment through profiles: create pre-defined configuration profiles with standard settings for different roles or departments. Automatically assign these profiles and the necessary applications to devices from the cloud through your MDM/UEM platform.
- Plan continuous monitoring and maintenance: utilize centralized dashboards within your MDM/UEM solution to monitor device status, receive real-time alerts, and ensure compliance with policies. Implement security updates and patches remotely to keep devices protected without interrupting productivity.
- Communicate and train users: inform employees about the new implementation process and provide the necessary training to familiarize them with their pre-configured devices.
Simplify Android device management with Applivery and Zero-Touch
The combination of Zero-Touch Enrollment and a unified endpoint management solution like Applivery offers companies a powerful way to simplify, secure, and optimize the management of their Android devices. Automate enrollment, consistently apply security policies, and free up your IT team to focus on strategic initiatives.
If you are looking to transform how your company manages its Android devices and maximize the benefits of Zero-Touch deployment, Applivery offers a robust, flexible, and intuitive solution.
Contact us today for more information and discover how we can help you achieve your enterprise mobility management goals.
Consult our detailed documentation for efficient Zero-Touch implementation with Applivery.
