Google Apps Updates [December] - New sign-in page & Admin Hangout Controls

Notable new features include:

• New Sign in Page - Consistent sign-in pages across all apps products
• Admin Hangout Controls - Filter Hangouts features by employee
• Save Attachments Directly to Gmail - Save docs directly to Google Drive
• Domain-restricted G+ communities - Create a domain specific G+ community

Full release notes below...

How do you use Google Apps?

Google Apps is a productivity suite and we love hearing stories about teams being productive. Share your story with us and you just might be highlighted on our blog!

• Did you just finish a big project?
• Are you now able to offer better customer service?
• Have you saved time or money by switching?
• let us know!

Share Story

New Sign-in Page

Early 2014 the Google Apps sign-in page will be consistent across all apps services. Some key changes include: 

• Google Apps sign-in page can no longer be personalized with colors or logos.
• Users will have to log in with their full email address
• For SSO domains with a network mask, users will be presented with the new Google sign-in page when they log in from outside the SSO network mask. This change does not affect SSO domains without a network mask.

Source

Admin Controls for Hangouts

Customize what features are available to which employees. A few abilities include:

• restrict hangouts to internal-only
• set chat history to off by default
• can users within domain contact each other without an official invite
• video and audio chat can be turned off across the org

Source

Deploy 3rd party apps from admin console

Administrators are now able to find, manage and deploy 3rd-party applications directly from the Google Apps Admin Console. All 3rd party apps offer OAuth 2.0 security, single sign-on, and integration with Google services.

Source

Save attachments directly to Drive

Users are now able to save Gmail attachments directly to Google Drive without ever leaving Gmail. Simply click the Drive button when hovering over an attachment preview.

Source

Calendar events update with Google Group Changes

Google event invites sent to Google Groups will update their attendee lists automatically as people join and/or leave the group. As you join events will be added to your calendar and when you leave they will be removed.

Source

Domain restricted G+ communities

Now communities in Google+ can be restricted to your domain via the Admin console. Posts in these communities are only viewable by those within your domain. Public communities are still possible.

Source

Core Values Series Part 5 - Rest & Reflect

Every year we take time to recognize team members that best personify the 5 Core Values of Newmind Group. Those 5 core values are: Be Awesome, Get Stuff Done, Make Things Better, Make Mistakes, Rest and Reflect. This is the final article of our Core Values series, written by Newminder Luke about Resting & Reflecting. Enjoy!

Reed Flute Cave - Reflecting Pool via Brent Rostad

Time to unwind.  

Work is done and you need to recharge.  Rest and reflection time is tough to come by for most of us, but making it a priority pays off big.  We all need a counterpoint to the daily hustle.  Our minds need space to be contemplative, to make abstractions and to pursue the things that ignite our passions.

Finding something beautiful or fascinating or just plain fun might not be easy for everybody.  Our culture doesn't always validate these kinds of pursuits, and seeing them as secondary or auxiliary to the main goal - productivity - sets us up for failure.


I argue these pursuits are complimentary and every bit as important as work-oriented initiatives.  If you look at your brain like a mostly well-trained horse, it offers a decent example of how we should treat our grey matter.  When we jump in the saddle, we’re ready to kick it into high gear and do some real galloping.  But if your horse has spent the last 3 days locked in a stall, it isn't going to behave the same as if it had spend it’s time free, exploring your ranch, running with the other horses.  Giving your horse this freedom to follow it’s inner compass will give it balance and improve its all around well-being.

How I do

So what are my R&R pursuits?  I’m all over the map.

via photosteve101

My number 1 go-to is writing.  I find all creative pursuits favorable, but constructing with language is especially rewarding for me.  Under that umbrella, poetry is my main squeeze.  If a novel is like a half-barrel keg of light beer (great for marathon sessions of drinking games), and a short story is like a small cooler of microbrews (just right for a lazy weekend on the river), then poetry is a short tumbler of single-malt scotch (perfect for an evening on the porch, watching the stars trace across the sky).  For me, it’s the most flavorful, most interesting of all the literature drinks.  I love reading poems, but somehow I’m always led away from consumption and into the act of creation.

I don’t look for inspiration, per say, but I instead try to remain open enough to notice it.  It can come from anywhere.  Watching people interact, listening to the right music, hiking to a new destination, or even reading someone else’s poem.  The process is different every time, but it normally starts with 1 line.  Something that sounds like I’ve never heard anything like it before.  Something that that makes me want to stop what I’m doing and write it down.  If it can grab me like that, maybe it will do the same to someone else.  And at the end of the day, that’s what all art is about:  communication.  Relaying some facet of the human experience in a way that others can resonate with.

So that’s what I do to refuel my brain.  Sometimes.  Other times, it’s downhill skiing or running with my dog or video games or a round of golf with friends.  The point is, I’ve come to understand that I’m a better me when I take time to do these things.  I’m better at my job and I’m better at home.  When you walk into work in the morning with a smile on your face, like a boss and ready to GSD (see this post), you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Chromebooks Update [November 2013]

Notable new features include:

• Enable SSL Inspection
• HP Chromebook 11 Charger Defect
• Keep Tabs on Media now in Beta
• 1-Click Browser Reset

Full release notes below...

Protect Students With Web Filtering

Securly protects students on computers throughout the school while giving them safe access to 21st century learning tools like YouTube, Google and Wikipedia.

• Safe Search
• Safe Social Media
• YouTube for Schools
• and more...

Learn More

Admin Updates

Enable SSL Inspection for Chrome Devices

The Admin console has been updated. This update brings a new option for organizations with SSL web filters enable SSL inspection for Chrome devices. Admins can set up certificates through the Network section of the Admin console.

(Source)

HP Chromebook 11 Charger Defect

Google and HP are pausing sales of the HP Chromebook 11

A small number of users have reported that some chargers included with the device have been damaged due to overheating during use. Google is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to identify the appropriate corrective action.

(Source)

Keep Tabs on Media now in Beta

You can now visually scan your tabs for a speaker icon to quickly identify tabs with video or music playing. Chrome will also indicate which tabs are currently using your webcam or are being cast to your TV.

(Source)

1-Click Browser Reset

Websites and programs are always asking you install toolbars and extensions, some of which may actually change your browser security settings.
(Source)

Stable Channel Releases

This is a list of stable channel releases from the past month:

• Chrome (November 14) - Release 31.0.1650.57 for Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome Frame. (Source)
• Chrome OS (November 12) - Release 31.0.1650.48 for Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome Frame.  (Source)

Core Values Series Part 4 - Make New Mistakes

Every year we take time to recognize team members that best personify the 5 Core Values of Newmind Group. Those 5 core values are: Be Awesome, Get Stuff Done, Make Things Better, Make Mistakes, Rest and Reflect. This is the fouth article of our Core Values series, written by Newminder Nicolas about Making New Mistakes. Enjoy!

Henry Knox 1775

There’s an old proverb a wise man once shared with me that goes like this:
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.”In other words, if you plan on getting stuff done, there’s going to be some 'stuff' to clean up. 'Stuff' is the bi-product of abundant crops. Mistakes are the cost of productivity born out of risk.

In the 4 min it takes for you to read the rest of this, I’ll attempt to raise your value for taking more risks and making new mistakes so you can benefit from the rewards.

Risk

Risk by The Fayj

It all starts with risk, and generally speaking, there are two outcomes, failure or success, mistake or reward, both of which we’ll look at later. The goal here is not to seek out mistakes, but to take risks. Here’s my tips on how to take more risk:

1. Move fast
   We move slow when we are afraid of failure or imperfection. Perfection is boring, slows you down, and keeps you from getting stuff done. Done is better than perfect, so move fast.
2. Do something you have never done before
   We play it safe when we are afraid of failure or the unknown. I can’t put it any better than Bre Pettis and Kio Stark have: “Pretending you know what you’re doing is almost the same as knowing what you are doing, so just accept that you know what you’re doing even if you don’t and do it.”
3. Get over Fear
   Fear is often the underlying issue that is keeping us from taking risk, but is many times irrational and exaggerated. Level with it and ask yourself, “Why am I afraid?” Pain from our past (mistakes?) may be the reason for our fears. Next, ask yourself “So What?” Is the worst that could happen even likely to happen, and if so, is it really that bad?
   

Make New Mistakes

So we moved fast, did something we had never done before, and ignored fear. This time, our outcome was a failure or mistake. Depending on what we do next, we’ll either benefit or suffer these results.

Redefine Success

Leading angel investor, philanthropist, and Former journalist Esther Dyson would define this as a success:
“To me, success is to do something new that is useful, keep doing new things that are useful and to always make new mistakes, which is my model, and to learn from those mistakes.”

Clean Up, not Cover Up

It’s not the cultural norm to celebrate mistakes. It’s not unusual for us to try and cover up our mess in order avoid the embarrassment of others discovering our mistakes.

1. Take Responsibility
   It’s your mess right? Own it, don’t blame it. Swallow pride. Be the first to admit you’re wrong. Apologize quickly and sincerely. The longer you wait, the harder this is. Don’t wait in hopes that things will blow over or try to cover things up.
2. Feel the Pain
   Embrace the uncomfortable feelings you have around the mistake you’ve made. Remember how this feels, how much this sucks. Get really familiar with it. Don’t beat yourself up, but don’t numb or push down the pain, awkwardness or discomfort that you’d rather not feel. The result? You’ll be less likely to repeat the same mistake again, and paradoxically, will have just become more comfortable with taking risk in the future.
3. Learn from your mistakes
   Do a thorough review of the series of events and circumstances that led up to where you are at and document it so that you can share your findings. Figure out what went wrong along the way and change it. It may be a change in process, attitude, preparation, environment or something else that will both prevent the same mistake from being repeated and make things better for you and for others.

Reward

While we may move fast, try something new and succeed without failure, much of risk’s reward is hidden in how we process mistakes when we make them. If we can value risk and the messes that often come with it, we’ll be rewarded with:

1. Productivity — We’ll get more stuff done.
2. Creativity — We’ll get new things done.
3. Honesty — We’ll be more awesome and less embarrassed.
4. Growth — We’ll learn from experience and share our knowledge with others.
5. Fun — We’ll get that feeling of adrenaline that is so awesome.

So go for it. Take more risk, move faster, try something new, make some mistakes, clean up some messes, be honest, share what you learn, and enjoy the rewards.

Nicolas Yarosz is a member of the Sales team at Newmind Group and is proud to have made the most mistakes this year. He spends most of his time working with the Chromebooks Sales team on improving process and knowledge sharing.

Nicolas and his beautiful wife live in Charleston, SC where they are eagerly expecting their first child this Holiday season. Nicolas enjoys good food, good drink and volunteering at his local church.

Core Values Part 3 - Make Things Better

Earlier this year we held our summer company party. At that party we take time to recognize team members that best personify the 5 Core Values of Newmind Group. Those 5 core values are: Be Awesome, Get Stuff Done, Make Things Better, Make Mistakes, Rest and Reflect. This is the third article of our Core Values series, written by Newminder Dan about Making Things Better. Enjoy!

We should all strive to "Make Things Better." In the day-to-day scramble of getting stuff done, it’s easy to lose focus on why we do what we do. Taking a moment to dive deeper into our daily tasks can open up opportunities for improvement and make us indispensable.

At Newmind Group we try to pay attention to everything we do, and to always get better at it. I’m a marketer and as such I have many tasks that can be measured and improved. One of which I’ll use to illustrate this core value - increasing traffic & engagement with our website.

So, let's get to the "Make Things Better" cycle.

1) Know Your Goals

The first step toward making things better is knowing your goals. Being able to define why you are performing a task and knowing what to measure will help you stay focused. Answer the following questions to help understand the task you are trying to improve:
Why are you doing it?
What should you measure to show it’s being done well and improving over time?

My goal is to create content that is valuable to our clients and website visitors. I know our clients expect the best from Newmind Group, and high value. The more value I can provide in our content, the more our clients and online visitors learn. The hard part is understanding how to measure that - what metrics show that the content I create is valuable? I can count pure visits, unique visitors, pageviews, and a plethora of other data. For this specific goal I use 3 metrics: repeat visitors, pages per visits and time on site.

With each revolution of the cycle, be sure to redefine your goals and reevaluate what metrics you are using. Over time you may find that the reason you are doing something changes and that different metrics provide you more meaningful insights into your performance.

2) Do Something

This step is really simple. Do the task you are trying to improve. Don't forget to implement your measuring techniques.

Before I write and publish new blog posts I have to be sure I can track the 3 metrics I defined above. Google Analytics helps me out there. Now I just publish new content and let Google do the tracking.

For more information check out "Getting Stuff Done".

3) Measure

You know what to measure and have already completed the task you're looking to improve. Record your measurements in a safe location, in a repeatable fashion, so that you'll be able to go back and see changes over time.

I publish at least 1 new article a week, so I measure my metrics once a week. As Google Analytics does all my tracking, all I have to do is log in and start digging into the numbers.

You may find that the metrics you want to employ may not be measurable or that your measurements are inaccurate. Leave yourself a note about why, and what needs changing, so that the next time you reach step 1, "Know Your Goals," you can address the issues, change tactics, and implement better measurement techniques.

4) Learn

Optimally, this is best to do after a few weeks or months of recording measurements, because over time you'll be able to spot trends and pull insights from the numbers. If the task is completed daily you may be able to see a trend after only a few days, but if the task is only performed monthly, you may need to wait a while before you can extract any worthwhile insights.

I’ve been writing articles and tracking data for our site for about 6 months and can learn a lot from the metrics I follow. Here’s how I use my numbers:

• Repeat Visitors - Over time if there is a trend of this increasing, then the content we are providing must be seen as valuable and is resonating with those repeat individuals
• Pages per Visit - Visitors will only visit more than one page if they believe that there is something of value on the page they are clicking to. The more pages per visit, the more valuable the content is.
• Time on Site - Website visitors today are very keen on recognizing valuable content and will click away if the page they land on is not valuable. If I can increase the time on site then I know that the content I am creating is worthwhile.

A quick note about learning from your metrics - never use singular metrics to answer larger subjective questions like “value”. If I only look at “Pages per visit”, this number could mean web site visitors are not finding the content they want and are exploring the site trying to find it, but when this is coupled with returning visitors and time on site a larger, more complete picture is painted.

That's it. At first, pick an easy task to measure, and one that repeats quite often, like “how long does it take me to clean and respond to emails in my inbox.” This will force you to go through the cycle often and practice picking metrics (like length of time, number of emails responded to), measuring and pulling insights. Over time you'll make little improvements and get better at your job, relationships, or really anything you apply this process to.

Other Notes

Just going through this cycle will show you where you can improve, but sometimes we don't always have the answers on how to improve. To continuously come up with new ways to improve, be sure to read a lot, use social media to follow others (especially those that are more advanced than you or industry leaders), connect professionally (either online or through professional networks), and be sure to find time to relax and let the mind wander.  Good ideas come at the most unlikely moments. 

Daniel Proczko has been working with organizations and individuals to build & grow the entrepreneur community of Kalamazoo, MI. From organizing TEDx events, hack-a-thons, and documentary screenings to engaging with business leaders, Dan strives to inspire individuals with new ideas and better thinking.

Having always been interested in tech and understanding the value of innovation through IT, communicating the importance of strategic IT thinking is one of Dan's primary goals within Newmind Group.

Google Apps Updates [November] - New Google Bar, Hangouts w/ vault, more

Notable new features include:

• New Google bar - Easily accessible launcher menu near user icon
• Hangout For All - Hangouts are now accessible for those with Google Vault
• Google Docs for those without Google

Full release notes below...

Protect your Google Apps with e-archiving

Archive and retain emails and chats according to your policies, preventing inadvertent deletions.

• Ensure compliance
• Be prepared for audits
• Prevent deletion
• and more...

Learn More

New version of the Google bar

To access all of the Google Apps there is now a Google launcher button in the top right near your user icon.

Source

Hangouts for all

Customers using Google Apps Vault can now activate the new Hangouts in the Admin console. You will still have eDiscovery and legal-hold capabilities for your on-the-record/history-on chats, but the retention-purge function will not be available. To agree to the amendment, please log into the Admin console, go to Apps, click on Talk/Hangouts, go to Advanced Settings, and click “Enable Hangouts”.
Source

Google Docs for those without Google

files shared outside your domain to an email address not linked to an existing Google Account can be viewed without having to sign in or create a new Google Account. If a file is shared with edit or comment permissions, the recieving user must still sign in with a Google Account in order to edit or comment on that file.

This change is rolling out slowly to Rapid Release users starting today, once this rollout is complete, we will begin a slow rollout to Scheduled Release domains

Source

Core Values Part 2 - Get Stuff Done: The Newmind Hallmark

Earlier this year we held our summer company party. At that party we take time to recognize team members that best personify the 5 Core Values of Newmind Group. Those 5 core values are: Be Awesome, Get Stuff Done, Make Things Better, Make Mistakes, Rest and Reflect. This is the second article of our Core Values series, written by Newminder Luke about the Newmind Group core value. Enjoy!

The cardinal Newmind value is Get Stuff Done.  GSD.  It’s blunt, and it speaks for itself.  There’s no explanatory paragraph on why Newmind thinks Getting Stuff Done is important, because Newminders define it ourselves.  We’re proud of the incredible work ethic we all have, and we have fun feeding off each other.  We might recognize our teammates’ GSD prowess with impromptu high fives, group email shout-outs (sometimes triggering hilarious .gif memes),  or nominations for the Hustle Board.  Hustle Board?  On the giant, 12 foot whiteboard that sprawls across a wall at Newmind HQ,  that’s the prestigious spot in the corner reserved for the Newminder that recently went above and beyond.


Plus, every year at our summer bash, a special event takes place: the Newmind Awards.  Votes are tallied for which Newminder we all think best represented each of the 5 values over the course of the past year.  We rally around these traditions because they’re authentic.  Nothing is forced; participation is organic.  Recently, we dedicated a full week to each Newmind value.    Winners in each category gave tips on how they mastered their value.  Then, at the end of the week, we shared how we all focused on integrating that value into our workflows.

How I GSD

If you could take a pair of scissors and just cut out all the nonsense from your job, you’d be left with something that looks a lot like working at Newmind.  That being said, the crew at Newmind is at a real advantage when it comes to great coworkers, even better leadership, and an established company culture that’s just awesome.  When I, and fellow Newminder Steve, co-won the GSD award, we both shared our tips & tricks for Getting Stuff Done.  Remarkably, our methodology for serious work handling were very similar.

3 Common Principles To GSD

We both found that, when faced with a mountain of work, we attacked the problem in much the same way.  We talked about them differently, but three common principles were part of both our arsenals: Organization, Sequencing, and Adaptation.

1) Organization
Organization seems like an obvious precursor to kick-ass productivity, but it can easily be pushed aside during a GSD blizzard.  That’s why pre-storm prep is crucial if you want to see the sun again.  Taking time, before you dive into your day, to think about how the tasks at hand can make a huge impact on what you get done.  Step back and think abstractly about what needs to be accomplished, and then prioritize it.  For most of us, there is more to be done than what a day can hold.  This way, the critical tasks get crossed off the list first.

2) Sequencing
Sequencing is another key ingredient in a tasty GSD pie.  When you have 6 hours of X to do, 1.5 hours of Y, and a half hour of Z, what’s the best way to get through all three?  Plow through each like you’re pushing a boulder up a mountain?  Maybe you enjoy Z more than X or Y.  Slicing Z up into 15 minute pieces, and then breaking up X and Y with those delicious Z filets can help keep your motivation where it needs to be.  Shifting gears like that helps keep my mind fresh, and lets me re-approach things throughout the day with renewed perspective and all-around more GSD attitude.

3) Adaptation
Adaptaion is the final piece of being a GSD champion.  You can master the first two, but when things pop up in the middle of the day, or something doesn’t go like you envision, agility will keep you from being tackled like a quarterback without a defensive line.  Changing directions on the fly can mean things getting dropped in the chaos.  Keeping thorough notes throughout the day about progress, updated priorities, changing variables, or other details can mean the difference between being able to pick up right where you left off and looking at your work like it’s some kind of stone tableau adorned with undecipherable glyphs carved in what looks nothing like your handwriting.  Leave yourself a trail of informational breadcrumbs, and you’ll find your way back home every time.

How Do You GSD?

So these are some rough dimensions of a workspace that fits my needs, but you may have something else in mind.  I like space westerns, maybe you’re into documentaries about bioluminescent fish.  Thanks okay, just own it.  My main advice here is to take the time to identify a handful of actionable principles that compliment you at your job.  When you find those methods that work, zoom in on why.  What is it about working a certain way that makes you better?  Once you have that answer you can start applying it to other areas of yourself, and you’ll be on the road to GSDville.

Luke Reynolds is a new member of Newmind's IT managed services team. Previously he worked with schools, not-for-profits, and businesses to help them acquire and deploy Google Chromebooks on the enterprise level.

Luke Reynolds enjoys writing, music, film, and any form of radical human expression. He's also a rabid proponent of Kalamazoo's local roller derby team, the Killamazoo Derby Darlins.

Core Values Part 1 - This is an Awesome Blog Post

Earlier this year we held our summer company party. At that party we take time to recognize team members that best personify the 5 Core Values of Newmind Group. Those 5 core values are: Be Awesome, Get Stuff Done, Make Things Better, Make Mistakes, Rest and Reflect. As we get closer to the end of this year we’re going to showcase those Newminders and their stories as only best they could, in their own words. Enjoy!

Hi, I’m Ben. I was rated highest for the 'Be Awesome' core value. I know what you’re thinking. Yes, it is a big deal.

I am awesome in large part to my exuberant hilariousness (second only to my sincere humility.) Everyone, of course,  is awesome in different ways. There are ways to be awesome besides God-given natural talent. I have compiled some ways to exude awesomeness in your life.

Be Happy

“When things go wrong, don't go with them.” - Elvis Presley

Being positive and happy gives your customers, the people you work with and yourself a better experience. You can’t go wrong with positivity. Smile when you are talking to people whether face to face or on the phone. The difference is amazing.

Part of being happy is understanding that you have control over your own happiness. It is not just people with great lives, tons of money and Chevy Astro’s that are happy. ‘Happiness experts’ say that 40% of your happiness is in your control. I do not know what that means or how they figured that out. I do know that we can choose to be happy.

Ben with his Chevy Astro

Be Kind

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” - Dalai Lama XIV

Being kind is what good people do. It helps you as well as making life better for others. Kindness has been scientifically proven to make you happier. Every time you perform a selfless act your brain produces serotonin. Serotonin eases tension and lifts your spirits.

Treating people well also helps you to deepen your relationships. When dealing with people it is easy to judge the situation from your point of view. A good way to find kindness in a situation is to put yourself in their position. I find this especially helpful when dealing with customers about anything technical. What I deal with 40 hours a week should seem simple to me, not the customer.

Be Thankful

“Rest and be thankful.” - William Wordsworth

One of the simplest and most powerful things you can do in your life is be thankful. The simplicity lies in how many options there are. In today's fast paced world it is increasingly less common for people to reflect on their life. It should only take a second to think of something to be thankful for. I am typing on a computer. I am thankful I have a computer (a pretty sweet one too). I am in a house. Bam! I am thankful for shelter. I have coffee, food, family, a car, insanely good looks. See how easy it is!

If you are feeling sad about your life get perspective. You  are probably going to eat today. Some people aren’t. Access to this post means you are among the richest people in the world. See where you fall here: www.globalrichlist.com. Understand how great you're life is.

Reflect on how you can be thankful to others. I am sure we have all spent a decent amount of time reflecting on how horrible people are. I think it is only reasonable to spend at least as much time on how great people are. Never miss a chance to say thank you.

Be Humble

“A great man is always willing to be little.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here at Newmind I am surrounded by people that are brilliant. Leaders, tech masters, customer relations experts and more. The ability to see my faults and be awestruck at others’ proficiency is good for me to appreciate not only their greatness but my shortcomings. Knowing that there is so much that I can improve upon keeps me humble.

Self glorification and competition to assuage your ego is anti humble. Do everything you can well because it is who you are. Not for some gratification or reward and you are a humble zen master.

Go Be Awesome

These are all big ideas and I am no expert on any one of them. You don’t perfect being happy and move on. The important thing is to have self awareness of how awesome you are and always push yourself to become more awesome.

Writing this has challenged me to be improve on these facets of my life. So to recap... I was happy writing this, you are all awesome, thank you for reading, and I expect no rewards.

Continue to the second article of the Core Values series: Get Stuff Done

Ben Morris is the reigning Funniest Newminder (yes that’s a thing), a father, and is a new member of Newmind Group's Google Apps team. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Western Michigan University and is determined to uncover the secrets of how humor can help organizational communication.

Ben loves the great outdoors and spends his time outside of work camping and boating with his wife and three children. Contact him at ben@newmindgroup.com.

Chromebooks Update [October 2013]

Notable new features include:

• New Chromebooks!! Check out the HP Chromebook 11 & Acer C720
• Admin Updates - Regulate automatic reboots
• Share Docs, Slides and Drawings with people who do not have a Google Account
• Chrome OS Update - The Stable channel has been updated to 30.0.1599.101

Full release notes below...

2 New Chromebooks

Introducing the HP Chromebook 11 & Acer C720

HP Chromebook 11	Acer C720
Highlights 0.69 inches thin and 2.3 lbs USB micro charger 176-degree viewing angles No Sharp edges	Highlights 0.75 inches thin and 2.76 lbs Boots up in less than 7 seconds Up to 8.5 hours of use 11.6” display
For full specs and release timelines click the link below to get in touch with a Newmind Chromebooks team member.

Get the new Chromebooks

Get a Quote

Admin Updates

Regulate automatic reboots

Scheduled reboot, allows admins to set a time period for devices to automatically reboot. Auto reboot after updates, will control whether a reboot occurs after a successful update. Both policies will apply when the device is at the sign- screen.
(Source)

Share Docs, Slides and Drawings with people who do not have a Google Account

Based on recency of websites visited

Files shared outside your domain to an email address not linked to an existing Google Account can be viewed without having to sign in or create a new Google Account. If a file is shared with edit or comment permissions, the recieving user must still sign in with a Google Account in order to edit or comment on that file.
(Source)

Flash Player Update

We are updating Flash Player to version 11.9.900.117 on Windows and Mac via our component update system (i.e. there will not be a Chrome update).

(Source)

Stable Channel Releases

This is a list of stable channel releases from the past month:

• Chrome (October 15) - Release 30.0.1599.101 for Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome Frame. (Source)
• Chrome OS (October 14) - Release 30.0.1599.101 for all Chrome OS Devices. (Source)
• Chrome for Android (October 2) - Release 30.0.1599.82 (Source)
• Chrome (October 3) - Release 30.0.1599.69 for Windows, Mac and Chrome Frame. (Source)
• Chrome (October 1) - Promotion of Chrome 30 to the Stable channel for Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome Frame. (Source)
• Chrome (September 18) - Release 29.0.1547.76 for Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome Frame. (Source)

Preparing for a Backup solution

Server crash...Data corruption...Virus attack...Coffee spill over a laptop…Phone dropped down a sewer drain...

In the normal day-to-day, hopefully these won't be very common. In reality, the average organization will experience one of these more than twice a year, giving credence to the need for quality reliable backup or business continuity. But this post is not about what backup service to go with, instead what information you’ll need to help evaluate which solution will work best, thus making it easier to deploy.

Calculate Space Requirements Part 1

Backup services are based in some way on the amount of space you require. Believe it or not this will be more than the sum of all the data your organization has. Some machines may need to be virtualized and you’ll need extra space to make that happen. Also, many backup services offer incremental backup, which is great, because it allows you to restore a past version of document and reduces the amount of full images you need to make saving time. Although increases the amount of space you need based on the amount of changes you need to capture. So, we’ll get back to this calculation in a moment. First we need to know what to add up together.

Identify image-level machines

An image backup is a snapshot of an entire machine - settings, files, programs, registry, etc… Its really your bread and butter. An image allows you to restore files and even virtualize a machine so that users can access it even if the actual machine dies. Not every machine in your organization needs to be imaged, only those most critical machines.

Make a list of all the devices within your organization that require image backups and calculate the amount of space they require and move on to the next part.

Identify file-level backups

For machines that aren’t mission critical file-level backups may be the best choice, but if you prefer images - I’m not going to stop you. The important part is that you’ve compiled a list of machines and the the space requirements.

Calculate Space Requirements Part 2

Now that we know how much space our data requires we need to account for incremental back ups and virtualization. A rule of thumb we like to recommend is to anticipate an extra 100%. If you have 400GB of data be sure your plan is at least 800GB. The first 400GB is for the initial images and files, the remaining 400GB is for increments, virtual machines, and growth.

Determine On-Site vs Off-site

Time & security is a factor in backup success and business continuity. Some files and data are necessary to stay in business. These should be stored off-site (>50 miles away) to protect from not only human error or local issues, but from natural disasters. may require weekly, daily, hourly backups. While data redundancy off-site is for protection, on-site backup is for files you may need at a moments notice. Finding an off-site vs. on-site strategy can take some time, but having an initial strategy prior to choosing a backup service will help you evaluate one that fits your needs.

Start Evaluating

Last, start evaluating services and products. Now that you have a clear view of your needs finding a solution should be much easier, not to mention you’ll get more accurate quotes with more precise numbers. Unfortunately all this work doesn’t help with the roll-out, but you can always grab some help for these special projects instead of overloading your IT staff!

Backup & Business Continuity

Newmind Group Data Recovery offers remote data backup and storage services ensuring your sensitive business data, applications, and systems, are safe and secure, so that in the face of disaster your business stays up and running.

• Reverse incremental technology enables fastest possible restores
• Anti-corruption technology to ensure health of backups
• Customizable scheduling and retention policies for compliance and archiving
• and more...

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Heath Miller is a member of Newmind's IT managed services team. Heath collaborates with clients to help them transition to Google Apps as well as manage and deploy backup solutions.

Heath Miller enjoys movies, volunteering, & restoring classic arcade games. He holds the office high score record for Aero Fighters, Ninja Turtles, Sunset Riders, and Dr Mario.

A Student's BYOD Experiment

I am a technophile. I like technology, the latest gadgets, trends, software, and everything else. This is to be expected, as I’ve grown up in the age of digital media, smartphones, and the internet. I use technology everywhere, however, I recently noticed a technology black hole in my life: School. It seems backwards that in a time when more and more teens have a smartphone or a mobile device, the places where teens spend the majority of their time have not embraced this trend. A study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project in March of 2013 found that 37% of teens age 12-17 within the US own a smartphone. That amounts to a lot of untapped potential for educators with smartphones alone.

Don’t get me wrong, schools do have technology integration. However, many times technology is under-utilized in the classroom. I’ll use the school that I attend as an example. We have computer labs, Google Apps for Education, and an online grade viewing program. However, the IT infrastructure is aging and inadequate at times. My school is working to remedy the problem by creating a program where every student has an iPad to use for class, allow for easier access to materials, and other digital learning tools. This program has worked well but at the moment it is only available for several grade levels. The program will begin rolling out in our high school within the year, but many teachers are beginning to take the jump to digital learning early.


Since I am excited about this entrance of technology into the classroom I decided to embrace this new program while I don’t yet have an iPad. To do this I implemented my own BYOD strategy in order to efficiently use these digital resources. This strategy worked well for me, although some of my teachers are less than friendly to unauthorized technology in the classroom (Although, I remedied this by using some common sense regarding device usage). I started using my Android smartphone and Samsung Chromebook to complete assignments, take notes, and share materials through Google Apps for Education. Here are my three observations:

• It’s lighter
• It’s cheaper
• It’s faster
  

Lighter

Many times I have to take a whole binder of material home when I have an assignment for the class. This becomes quite a heavy load when I have six classes where I receive assignments regularly. A University of California (Riverside) study found that an average middle school student's backpack can weigh up to 37 pounds. Google Apps for Education, my smartphone and Chromebook, reduce this load significantly by allowing me to view and complete assignments online without the need to bring home a backpack full of extraneous documents.

Cheaper

This switch to digital learning is also cheaper. According to the few articles I could find, as there hasn't been much documentation, an average school or department of about 1000 students will spend anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 on printer ink, toner, and paper - not to mention printer wear-and-tear costs. (Source 1 | Source 2)

Before the switch I had to print off an assignment or paper several times, once for each draft or revision, for the teacher’s review. With Google Apps for Education I can share a document with a teacher and get their feedback during the revision process without having to print off a new copy of a paper every time I find a portion that needs to be changed. This has significantly cut down on the amount of paper and ink I use for school, especially since I am taking classes that focus heavily on papers and writing assignments. This has the potential to save schools thousands of dollars every year.

(I also switched to using a Chromebook, instead of a laptop, and wrote about that experience a few weeks ago.)

Faster

This strategy has also been dramatically faster. Google Apps for Education allows collaboration within a document and instant saving of changes. This allows me to view the comments and grades of assignments the moment that a teacher adds them so that I can begin working on areas where I need improvement without having to wait for the teacher to give back the assignment in class. I can search all of my documents, and create files within Google Apps for Education. One of the best features of Google Apps for Education is its cloud based nature, which allows me to forego using a flash drive to transfer information and it also solves the problem of having different versions of the same information scattered across multiple computers.

Distraction

Many people claim that technology in the classroom is a distraction for students and that students will abuse devices in the classroom by playing games, going on social media, and texting others. While I agree that all of these things can happen I believe that distractions are always present in the classroom, staring out a window is just as easy as texting in class and it is generally a less conspicuous way to be distracted. Through my experiment, other students weren’t distracted by my smartphone usage, primarily because smartphones are commonplace, and I am hardly setting a precedent for phone use. Now that phone restrictions have been lightened at my school most students with smartphones are doing the same thing that I am, accessing assignments and enhancing their education by using their smartphones.

Going Forward

After completing this experiment for the past month I have decided that I will continue using this BYOD strategy for my education because of the many benefits that it provides. It has been easier to keep track of assignments, and although I haven’t seen any significant increase in my grades (because I'm already a pretty decent student) it has certainly made my life as a student easier. The integration of technology within classrooms increases the ease and efficiency of learning, especially at a time where so many students are constantly connected to the internet through mobile devices. Google Apps for Education and other digital learning services also offer a host of functionality at a minimal cost for educational institutions, in fact Google Apps for Education is free for educational institutions.

Getting started with Google Apps

As a Premier SMB Reseller and award winning Managed Services Provider, Newmind has brought hundreds of businesses to the cloud exposing them to improved collaboration, security, and mobility, while increasing the overall return on their IT investments.

• Free for schools
• 99.9% uptime reliability
• Full administrative control
• and more...

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Tyler Triemstra is a new intern at Newmind Group. He works on internal improvements to make the sales process more efficient, but mainly, he is learning a ton from the team at Newmind. He has a passion for technology and enjoys being part of a team that helps businesses use technology effectively.

Tyler is a senior in high school who enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering. He can’t wait to graduate from high school and is busily searching for a college to attend.

Build IT Together Detroit Wrap Up

Thank you to all who joined us at Grand Circus in Detroit for Build IT Together on October 1, 2013. We're happy to say it was a success with over 20 different companies' CIOs, and Technology Directors coming together to share experiences and collaborate on emerging trends and ever present needs. Congratulations to Eric Spicer, of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, and Jeff Schefke, of City of Oak Park, who won themselves a Nexus 7 tablet and Samsung 303 Chromebook, respectively. We have already received great feedback and look forward to being involved with future collaboration events.

Philip MacKethan of
University Liggett School testing Google Glass

We all gathered at Grand Circus early Tuesday morning and were able to experience brand new technology including Google Glass & a Double Robotics robot. It was fun to see attendees' reactions to wearing Google Glass, trying out the voice commands and hear the discussions about use-cases for the new form factor. Many discussed practical applications of the device in their environment, from streaming technical specs and hands-free information look-up to training videos for new employees. When it came to the Double robot, the ability to interact with a space and group over long distances seemed to be the most valuable feature.

Getting to Know Each Other

Build IT Together opened with a unique survey allowing attendees to anonymously compare their current IT environment to the rest of the group. This allowed everyone to reflect on areas of improvement, while simultaneously providing connections to others at the event with which to network and learn from. Those in small companies were able to compare their current setup with that of a mid-sized company and glean insights for how to scale. Larger companies were able to see what helped smaller companies remain nimble.

Technology Infrastructure Benchmarking

We're building an IT Assessment Tool to help your organization benchmark your technology infrastructure against industry trends.

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Sessions & Take-a-ways

Breakout sessions were available in 4 topic areas including: data backup & business continuity, helpdesk, mobility & collaboration, and change management. Below are some of the highlights.

Anytime Anywhere

• The demand for mobile technology and collaboration tools is so great that when IT departments don’t give them company tools many end-users use their own, putting company data at risk from both security and ownership standpoints.
• Google Apps for Business was highlighted as a tool that many attendees’ organizations have found success with while Office365 and Vibe were mentioned as potential alternatives.
• With the paradigm shift in tools and functionality from personal productivity to team productivity, change management and solid training curriculum, particularly for older end-users, are essential for good adoptions rates.

Beyond Backup

• Randy James from Greenleaf Hospitality Group provided some insight into the decision-making process he went through when moving to a tapeless backup solution with replication to the cloud
• Many attendees had questions about specific implementation points, including bandwidth throttling, hardware configurations, Disaster Recovery scenarios and data classification
• It was noted that upwards of 60% of business data now resides on laptops, of which 30% are stolen, lost or damaged every year
• Long-term, the feeling in the room was that other cloud-based services would reduce the exposure to data loss and that only mission-critical and data-intensive applications would remain local to businesses

Change is Hard

• Managing expectations of the Executive team and explaining the change management plan for a project is a best practice and worth the extra effort, increasing strategic thinking about the benefits of the new technology and ensuring training for staff during adoption is budgeted for.
• Utilize the early adopters within your staff from many departments to vet new technology is very helpful for smooth rollouts. They will be social champions when the roll-out occurs as well as training agents for co-workers within their team.

Helpdesk Panel

Daniel Jefferies leads the helpdesk panel including
Brian Miller of Davenport University,
Michael Cross of Greenleaf Hospitality Group, and
Hans Erickson of Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Measurement is key. Tracking time to close of support tickets as well as number of tickets closed on first call are most important data points in tracking improvements and creating a great opinion of the helpdesk among end-users.
• Optimizing helpdesk personnel by hiring for attitude and training for aptitude is a best practice.
• Investing in helpdesk personnel training to ensure a majority can close any ticket, regardless of complexity, on the first call is better than having a more traditional L1, L2, L3 tiering structure in securing praise and satisfaction from end-users.
• When there is a high opinion of the helpdesk within an organization the entire IT department benefits from higher user satisfaction, supported and increased access to budget resources.

Wrap-Up

Build IT Together was a great experience and we look forward to being involved in other collaboration events. There were plenty of great ideas shared, techniques, and strategies. More than we can put into this wrap-up article. Please share your favorite moments & ideas you found valuable below.

Google Apps Updates [October 2013]

Announcement - Gmail Outage Explanation

On September 23rd, many Gmail users were receiving messages slowly, and some of their attachments were unavailable. The message delivery delays were triggered by a dual network failure, where 2 redundant networks failed. Google has assured us they are taking steps to ensure sufficient network capacity, including backup capacity for Gmail, even in the event of a rare dual network failure. Even including this event, Gmail remains well above 99.9% available, and we intend to keep it that way!

Notable new features include:

• Monitor user logins, storage consumption and apps usage with the Admin SDK
• Quickoffice Acquired - Share & edit files with people that heaven't made the switch to Google Docs.
• Real-time data in BigQuery -using new API calls, you can stream & query real-time data. 
• 4 New Google Form Customizations

Full release notes below...

Protect your Google Apps with e-archiving

Archive and retain emails and chats according to your policies, preventing inadvertent deletions.

• Ensure compliance
• Be prepared for audits
• Prevent deletion
• and more...

Learn More

Monitor user logins, storage consumption and apps usage with the Admin SDK

New features have been added to the Admin SDK Reports API to more easily visualize Google Apps' usage within your domain. New API calls include:

• Login Audit - view all web browser based logins with IP information
• Authorized Applications - list of all 3rd party applications that users have shared data with
• Storage Quota - total usage and split by gmail, drive, G+ photos
• Google+ Usage - 1-day, 7-day, 30-day active G+ usage in your domain

Source

Mobile Security Best Practices

Mobile devices are quickly surpassing traditional computers for more and more of our needs.  As these functions evolve and expand, and we use our wireless tools to access more information, the security risks multiply.

Most companies let employees use their work devices to access personal information or let them use personal devices to access work information. With the rapid proliferation of mobile devices not slowing down, malware infections are on the rise, growing 163% in 2012. Just like the golden days of Netscape Navigator and those AOL discs in the mail, hackers are more than happy to take advantage of this vast new crop of unprotected devices.

But it’s not only hackers we need to guard against. We need to make sure other scenarios are covered, such as What happens when my phone is lost or stolen? Or, How do I prevent a data breach? And, How can I manage all this stuff?  So with all this in mind, let’s go down the list:

Mobile Device Management

I won’t get into which system is best; this is a growing sector with a wide spectrum of offerings.  What I will say is to find a solution from a reputable vendor, with the features you are looking for, that allows you to effectively manage the devices used at your company. Some features to look for are support for ALL the platforms your employees use, remote locking and wiping, solid app management, connectivity controls (VPN, proxy, mobile data, wifi, etc), easy enrollment, robust security with document protection & encryption options, and integration with your PC management tools.

Authentication

How many of us just slide a finger to the right to unlock our devices?  I’m betting more than half.  Whether you choose a secure pattern, a pin or password, your fingerprint, or your face, make sure you are the only person who can get past your lock screen.  This is the first line of defense when your phone ends up in someone else’s hands.

Remote Location & Wiping

This is most likely a part of your Mobile Device Management solution, but there are plenty of good stand-alone apps that do a great job with this too. When an employee device is lost or stolen, swift action is a must. Sure, using GPS to track down a thief is enticing, but the main focus of IT should be to keep company data secure by locking and/or wiping. This means employees need a fast, easy way to alert IT of the situation, whether it’s a phone number, email address, or secure web page. For some organizations, it might make more sense to put employees in charge of handling the wipe. Whatever the procedure, have a plan in place that everyone can follow in a moment of panic.

Bluetooth & NFC

Turn them off. Unless using a headset or sharing a photo with a friend, these tools are open doors into your devices. Both are hackable with the right tools, and can present real security risks.  Viruses have been found that spread from phone to phone via Bluetooth. So, keep them disabled when not in use, and if your device supports hidden mode, use that too. Some guidelines on using Bluetooth wisely can be found here.

Firewall Policies for Mobile Devices

When devices travel around the city, or the country, they are exposed to all kinds of risks not present in the office. When these same devices return to the office and connect to the company network, they could cause trouble if infected. Setting up separate firewall policies for smartphones and tablets will help mitigate this risk. Most likely, these devices don’t need access to the same data or systems that PCs do, and so they should be blocked. Closing off as many holes as possible is the name of the game, so whitelisting only what’s needed is always better than blacklisting known dangers.

We’ve only skimmed the surface here, but the criteria covered above should serve as a solid starting point to develop a secured mobile workforce. As devices grow in diversity and capability, new variables will enter the equation. As always, keep yourself informed and keep employees informed to keep your company secure.

Want more mobility and workforce productivity

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Luke Reynolds is a new member of Newmind's IT managed services team. Previously he worked with schools, not-for-profits, and businesses to help them acquire and deploy Google Chromebooks on the enterprise level.

Luke Reynolds enjoys writing, music, film, and any form of radical human expression. He's also a rabid proponent of Kalamazoo's local roller derby team, the Killamazoo Derby Darlins.

Chromebooks Updates [Sept 2013]

Announcement

We're always trying to bring more value to our customers. Starting today we'll be sending a summary of all the new features to ChromeOS & the management console as a monthly email newsletter.

We invite you to share this newsletter with all Google Apps users in your organization, and invite them to subscribe, so that they can stay informed about recent updates to get the most out of Google Apps.

Notable new features include:

• Custom Terms of Service - upload your own terms of service agreement
• Disable "Add-User" - Admins can disable the ability for chromebooks users to add new users
• Immersive Mode - which hides toolbar and shelf for a less distracted viewing experience
• Monitor Scaling - which can help free up more screen real estate.
• App Launcher Search Updates - dynamically learn what you search for, apps are more prominent, search web store if you don't have app installed
• Pin Apps to Shelf - Drag & Drop apps to shelf to pin them
• Wallpaper Sync - default wallpaper will now sync across devices

Full release notes below...

Protect Students With Web Filtering

Securly protects students on computers throughout the school while giving them safe access to 21st century learning tools like YouTube, Google and Wikipedia.

• Safe Search
• Safe Social Media
• YouTube for Schools
• and more...

Learn More

Admin Console Updates

Upload Custom terms of service agreement
Instructions can be found here.

Disable "Add-User"
This update can be found in the "Restict sign-in" settings. For more visit this Google help doc.

Image Searching Made Easier

"Search Google" option now available

Right-click or long-press on an image and select the option to search using your default search provider.
(Source)

Smarter Onmibox Suggestions

Based on recency of websites visited

New updates to the omnibox will provide you with suggestions based on the recency of websites. The suggestions should be more contextually relevant.
(Source)

Reset Browser Settings

Too many extensions!!!

Restore Chrome back to its original state via the Chrome settings page.

1) Click the hashed menu icon
2) Select Settings
3) Click Show advanced settings
4) Click on the button labeled "Reset browser settings"
(Source)

Release 29.0.1547.70 (Platform version: 4319.79.0)

Release to all Chrome OS Devices
Some highlights of these changes are:

• Fix flash games sites running out of file descriptors and causing system to freeze. (279301)
• Fix link to redeem Chrome goodies in the Files app

More Info

Release 29.0.1547.66 [Windows] (29.0.1547.65 [Mac & Linux])

This update contains a flash update and fixes an issue with Sync.

More Info

Release 29.0.1547.62

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome Frame
This update fixes an issue with printing from Google Docs applications.

More Info

Release 29.0.1547.57 (Platform version: 4319.74.0)

Release to all Chrome OS Devices
Some highlights of these changes are:

• Kernel 3.8 landed on Pixel and Samsung 550. 
• New “immersive” mode - hit the fullscreen button to hide the toolbar and shelf and until you hover at the top for a more immersive browsing experience. 
• Pin apps to the shelf using Drag and Drop from the Launcher 
• Default wallpaper selection will sync across all your devices 
• Monitor Scaling allows you to scale the UI. Especially useful on Pixel to get some more space 
• Two-finger history navigation 
• App launcher Search just got cleverer
  • It will dynamically learn what you search for 
  • Apps are more prominent 
  • It will search for you in the web store if you don’t have an app installed 

Known Issues: 

• The link to redeem your Chrome Goodies in the Files app is temporarily broken and will be fixed with the next release. In the meantime, please go here directly. 

More Info

Managing Mobile Devices - Platform Reviews

It’s a big world out there. Lots of places to go and people to see. Also, lots of places to lose your mobile device and a fair few people who may want to nab it from you. Fortunately, different developers are coming up with solutions that help you protect your device - or at the very least your data.

Droid Does

First to weigh in, Google has released it’s own device manager for Android devices, called Google Apps Device Policy. You can access this tool from any browser by visiting google.com/apps/mydevices. Installing is super easy: just pull up the app from the Play Store (Or scan the QR code that will display from the device manager on your browser). Once it installs, just ‘add device’ from a browser, sync the device, and you’re good to go.


Your domain’s administrator can require that users have a pin or password, set an idle-out screen lock, and wipe the device. Additionally, the device’s user can remotely change their pin, lock their screen, and cause the device to ring out (for those ‘lost in the couch’ scenarios). Also, if the device’s GPS is active, the user can track it.

This tool does require that the domain you sync to is a Google Apps for Business or Education user as well as a minimum system requirement of Android 2.2 or better, but the app’s integration is pretty seamless. However, being an Android-only solution does limit this tool’s usability in a BYOD environment

Up in the Air

Sand Studio’s AirDroid has recently iterated, and what used to be simply a cable-free way to access the data on your phone from a computer, has added many of the tools Google’s Apps Device Policy brings to the table while maintaining all the other goodies that the app has to offer.

AirDroid 2, as it’s labeled on the Apps Store, will do some of the basics that Apps Device Policy will: Remote wipe, remote screen lock, remote password change, GPS tracking, and ring-out a beacon for phone-finding. There is one additional feature that definitely piques interest, however: You can set the device to snap a photo whenever someone fails to enter a proper lock-code and send that photo to you! A very powerful tool.

Unfortunately, AirDroid 2 is not designed with fleet management in mind, and so there isn’t a tool for managing multiple devices from a single dashboard. Though there is always the make-a-big-clumsy-spreadsheet method of doing things.

Meraki-and-Roll

Meraki offers an absolutely free MDM solution that is rather comprehensive. The install is simple enough: Sign up at Meraki.com to access their Systems Manager, pull the app down from either the Apple or Play store, respectively, then plug in the code that the manager console gives you when you ‘add a device’ from your browser.

Once you’re in and have some devices attached you can configure the extensive options. The dashboard give you an overview of all the devices attached to your account. Pulling up each device gives detailed information including: charge status, storage capacity, serial number, IMEI, phone number, data for the network it’s attached to, plus more. Here, you can also clear your passcode, lock your device, erase the whole thing (or target certain data with a selective wipe), ring a beacon, and send a message to display a-la text message.

You can also review any apps installed on the device and, while you can’t remove them, you can restrict the install of new apps, as well as make a whole other list of restrictions including Face-time, screen capturing, Youtube (for iOS), and camera use (both).
You can also require that a user set a passcode, configure WIFI and VPN settings remotely, and push documents from the web by using the ‘backpack’ feature.

To make MDM life easier, the Meraki platform allows you to create different profiles for different user groups, so you don’t have to configure each device separately.

You can also receive email alerts for a host of events, including network enrollment, app installation, or removal of the Meraki app! Remote destop functionality exists, and while not device-agnostic, it does cater to both Apple and Android users.

Decisions, decisions...

Though all 3 of these options share a lot of basic functionality, there are enough differences to really make these MDMs varied and interesting. If your fleet is all Android or Chrome powered, for example, maybe Mobile Apps Policy is the way your org should go. For a true BYOD environment, however, there’s just no beating Meraki’s device-agnostic platform. Then again, the potentially-thief-stopping snap-shot power of AirDroid 2 is not something to be discounted.

I know there are plenty more MDMs on the market and would love to hear what you’re using. Just leave a quick comment below so that others can find it. I’ll pull from your comments and write up another review.

Don't know where to start?! Feeling intimidated?!

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Jarad Selner is a new member of Newmind Group's Chromebooks team, working with schools, non-profit groups and businesses to deploy and integrate Google Chrome devices within their organizations.

In his off-time, he can be found booking bands, teaching music lessons, and playing at a variety of venues in and around the great city of Kalamazoo, Mi.