StageNow allows organizations to enroll Zebra devices without any hassle and turn frontline performance into a competitive advantage. However, to make sure the Zebra devices meet the organization’s specific needs, they have to be managed through a mobile device management (MDM) solution. This allows for optimized and seamless workflow across the floor.
Here’s a detailed overview of how you can utilize StageNow for a smooth and efficient enrollment of your Zebra devices through Scalefusion.
What is StageNow?
Zebra StageNow is a dedicated staging tool that allows IT teams to create provisioning profiles for enrollment effortlessly. By leveraging StageNow, organizations can automate device enrollment into Scalefusion UEM, ensuring quick and hassle-free deployment. This approach is especially beneficial for large-scale rollouts, ensuring devices are ready for use right from day one.
StageNow works by creating configuration profiles that can be applied by scanning barcodes or using near-field communication (NFC). When a new device scans the barcode, it automatically applies Wi-Fi network settings, installs apps, gets enrolled into the MDM, and configures the required policies.
How to enroll Zebra devices using StageNow with MDM
Prerequisites
Before starting the enrollment process, there are certain prerequisites that must be in place. These are:
1. From your Scalefusion account:
- Create a Device Profile
- Create a QR Code Configuration
2. The Zebra device is equipped with:
- Android OS 8.0 (Oreo) and greater
- Minimum of MX 8.0
- LifeGuard patch 7 or greater is installed
3. Download and install Zebra StageNow software on a Windows PC.
Step-by-step guide to enroll Zebra devices using StageNow
Step 1: Getting the configuration data ready
Scalefusion offers multiple Zebra device enrollment methods for corporate-owned devices. In each enrollment method, the Scalefusion UEM app needs to be provided with the enrollment data, which can also be called configuration data. Similarly, to create Zebra StageNow profiles, Scalefusion offers specific configuration data that needs to be captured.
Follow the steps below before you start creating StageNow profiles:
1. Sign in to Scalefusion and navigate to Enrollment Configurations > QR code. Select the QR code configuration that will be used to enroll the devices, and click Show Android QR.
2. The QR code dialog has two additional information fields:
- APK Download URL: Use the Copy button to copy the URL and keep it handy. This will be used in a later part.
- Download Config JSON: Click Download Config JSON, which will download the configuration file to your computer. This JSON file is also required at a later part, so please note down the location of the file.
Step 2: Creating the StageNow profile
In this step, we will create the StageNow profile, at the end of which we will have the QR codes or barcodes that will be used to enroll a device.
1. Launch the StageNow application and click Create New Profile from the menu options to launch the profile wizard.
a. You may be asked for the StageNow admin password that you created at the time of installing the StageNow tool for the first time.
2. From the dialog below, select the appropriate options and click Create.
a. Select MX Version: Ensure that you select the correct MX Version. Here, MX 8.0 has been selected. The MX Version can be found in either of the two ways:
i. Go to Settings > About Device > SW Components.
ii. Launch the StageNow application on the device and select View Client Info.
b. Select Wizard: From the list of wizard options shown, select XpertMode.
3. Enter a name for the profile and click Start
4. Now, you would see the wizard where you can add the steps that will be used to generate the enrollment QR codes and to create the profile.
a. Switch to the Wizard tab and select MDM Enrollment to add it to Config.
b. Switch to the Settings tab:
i. Select Intent to add it to Config. This will help in passing the enrollment information.
c. Now click Add to start the profile creation process.
5. The actual profile creation is a multi-step process, and the following steps will guide you in completing each step:
a. MDM Agent Type: From the drop-down, select Others and click Continue.
b. Enroll Method: In this step, select ‘No, I want to Download the file to my device,’ and click Continue.
c. Support App: Select No and click Continue.
d. Download Config: Select No and click Continue.
e. Download MDM Agent: Complete the section and click Continue.
i. Target Path and File Name on Device: Enter a target path for the Scalefusion APK to be downloaded. For example: /sdcard/Scalefusion.apk.
ii. Source File Location: Click the three dots next to the input field and configure as below.
- Staging Server: Select External.
- Source Path: Provide the APK path obtained at APK Download URL step in the section Step 1: Getting the Configuration Data Ready.
f. Install MDM: Click Continue.
g. Launch MDM: Select No and click Continue.
h. Intent: Now, configure the enrollment data that will be passed to Scalefusion post-installation. Configure this section as shown below.
i. Action: From the action dropdown, select Enroll a Device Owner.
ii. Package Name: Enter the package name as com.promobitech.mobilock.pro.
iii. Class Name: Enter the class name as com.promobitech.mobilock.component.MobilockDeviceAdmin.
iv. JSON Values: Select the JSON File and use the three dots option to select the file that was downloaded using Download Config JSON in the section Step 1: Getting the Configuration Data Ready.
v. Click Continue to complete the configuration process.
6. To generate the enrollment QR codes, click Continue.
7. In this step, choose the type of scanner that your devices have, select the QR code or barcode to generate, and click Publish.
8. Before the final QR codes are generated, you can provide the instructions that can be added to the PDF. Click Publish Now.
9. This would generate a PDF file with the QR/Barcodes, which can be saved to your PC and used for enrollment.
Step 3: Enrolling a device
1. On factory default devices: If your device is already powered on but is in a factory default state with no third-party apps or other MDMs installed, then launch the StageNow app on the device to scan the QR/barcodes one by one to complete the enrollment.
2. On factory fresh/reset devices: If your device is factory fresh/reset, depending upon the MX version and device support, a barcode may be generated, which can be used to bypass the GMS Android Setup Wizard. Once done, launch the StageNow app on the device to scan the QR/barcodes one by one and complete the enrollment.
Scalefusion simplifies managing your Zebra devices
A centralized Zebra device management solution is the need of the hour for every organization using Zebra devices. This is because it allows for seamless enrollment and ensures consistent security with efficient operational management throughout the lifecycle of the devices. Scalefusion helps organisations manage their Zebra device fleet effectively, ensuring productivity, security, and compliance from a centralized operations point.
Enroll Zebra devices via StageNow and simplify management with Scalefusion.
Sign up for a 14-day free trial now.
FAQs
1. How to enroll Zebra devices as device owner using the stagenow application?
To enroll a Zebra device as Device Owner using StageNow, create a profile with Device Owner settings and MDM details, then generate a barcode or NFC profile. Scan it on a factory-reset device to automatically install the agent, assign Device Owner, and complete enrollment.
2. How to enroll Zebra device?
Zebra devices can be enrolled using StageNow, QR code (Android Enterprise), Zero-Touch, or manual agent-based methods. StageNow is the most common approach, allowing IT teams to scan a barcode or use NFC to configure settings and enroll devices quickly, especially for bulk deployments.
3. Can StageNow be used for zero-touch deployment of Zebra devices?
Yes, StageNow supports a form of zero-touch or near zero-touch deployment by allowing IT teams to preconfigure device settings and enrollment parameters. Devices can be provisioned instantly by scanning a barcode, tapping an NFC tag, or using USB staging, making it ideal for large-scale deployments where manual configuration is not practical.
4. What is the difference between StageNow and an MDM like Scalefusion?
StageNow is a device provisioning tool used for initial setup and configuration of Zebra devices, such as applying settings and enrolling them into an enterprise mobility management (EMM) solution. Scalefusion, on the other hand, is a full mobile device management (MDM) platform that provides ongoing device management, security policies, monitoring, and lifecycle control after enrollment.
