MDM Console iFrame Integration for App Store Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process for authorizing and deploying applications on Android for Work devices is cumbersome, requiring multiple steps across different systems, including the Google Play store and a mobile device management (MDM) system, making it inefficient for administrators to manage application provisioning.
Innovation Solution
A streamlined and automated system that allows administrators to use a single integrated management console to search for and deploy applications from various app stores (like Google Play, Apple iTunes, or Windows Store) to managed devices, using an iFrame to interact with the application store and manage deployment directly within the console.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If administrators use multiple separate systems (Google Play store and MDM system) to manage application provisioning, then application deployment can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the MDM system and application store into a single integrated system. The MDM system now directly provides application search, approval, and deployment capabilities without requiring separate access to external application stores. This merging eliminates the need for administrators to switch between multiple systems and reduces the overall complexity of the application provisioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The MDM system has been enhanced to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a device management platform and an application distribution platform. The system can search for applications, approve installations, and deploy applications directly through its own interface, making it a universal platform that handles both device management and software provisioning tasks.
2Reliability
If administrators manually search for and approve each application through multiple systems, then application authorization can be achieved, but the time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by providing administrators with direct search and approval capabilities within the MDM interface before the actual deployment occurs. Applications can be searched, evaluated, and approved in advance through the integrated interface, with the approval status being stored and ready for automatic deployment when needed, reducing the time required during actual provisioning events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where administrators can search for applications, view details, and receive status updates throughout the approval and deployment process. The system provides real-time feedback on application installation status, approval states, and deployment progress, allowing administrators to monitor and manage the process efficiently without repeatedly checking multiple systems.
3Ease of operation
If the system integrates application store functionality within the MDM console, then user experience is improved, but the MDM system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that bridges the MDM system and application store functionality. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of integrating with external application stores while presenting a simplified interface to administrators. The intermediary manages communication protocols, authentication, and data formatting, shielding the MDM system's core architecture from the complexity of multiple application store integrations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for automating the provision of applications to managed client devices. A search string is passed through an iFrame embedded in a web page to a remote computing device that provides an application programming interface (API) for an application store. A search result is then received through the iFrame from the remote computing device and displayed in the iFrame. The iFrame then provides a notification of an approval for publication of an application identified by the search result and details of the application. The details of the application are then sent to the remote computing device to cause the application store to distribute the application to a client device.