Unified Deployment Configuration Framework for Multi-OS Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring devices with varying operating systems in a BYOD environment is problematic due to differences in capabilities and restrictions, requiring administrators to manage multiple settings and platforms manually, which is time-consuming and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A unified deployment configuration framework that generates and publishes settings for multiple operating systems through a single ingestion process, allowing administrators to specify client applications, resources, and policies once, which are then automatically applied to enrolled devices, reducing the number of clicks required and simplifying the management process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If administrators manually configure devices for each operating system separately, then device-specific configuration accuracy is improved, but administrative time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration process into two distinct phases: a universal configuration phase that applies to all devices regardless of operating system, and an OS-specific configuration phase that handles platform-specific settings. This segmentation allows administrators to complete the majority of configuration work once universally, while automatically handling OS-specific variations through templates and automation, thereby reducing overall administrative time while maintaining configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining operating system-specific configuration templates and parameters before the actual device configuration process. These templates contain pre-configured settings for different operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS), allowing the system to automatically apply appropriate OS-specific configurations without requiring administrators to manually configure each platform, thus reducing administrative time while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If administrators manually configure each operating system separately, then OS-specific configuration accuracy is improved, but device complexity and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the universal configuration process with OS-specific configuration processes into a unified configuration framework. The universal configuration settings are applied first, and then OS-specific templates are automatically merged in based on the detected operating system. This merging approach consolidates multiple configuration processes into one unified workflow, reducing management complexity while maintaining the accuracy of OS-specific settings through automated template application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by implementing automatic operating system detection and template selection mechanisms. When a device is enrolled, the system automatically detects the operating system type and applies the corresponding pre-configured template without requiring administrator intervention for OS-specific settings. This self-service capability reduces management complexity by eliminating manual OS identification and configuration selection, while ensuring accurate OS-specific configurations are applied.
3Productivity
If a universal configuration approach is used for all operating systems, then administrative effort is reduced, but OS-specific functionality and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a multi-functional configuration system that can handle both universal and OS-specific configurations through a single unified process. The system maintains a core set of universal configuration parameters that apply to all operating systems, while also incorporating OS-specific parameter sets that are automatically selected based on the detected platform. This multi-functional approach allows the same configuration interface and process to serve multiple operating systems with their unique requirements, thereby maintaining high productivity while ensuring OS-specific adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different configuration parameters and settings to be applied to different operating systems within the same universal configuration framework. Each operating system receives customized configuration parameters appropriate to its specific requirements (e.g., iOS-specific settings for Apple devices, Android-specific settings for Android devices), while sharing common universal settings. This local quality approach ensures that each OS receives the specific treatment it needs while maintaining overall configuration efficiency through the unified process.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various examples generating and optimizing deployment configurations for devices enrolled with a management service. A computing environment can be employed to receive information pertaining to a desired configuration of enrolled devices during an ingestion process where at least one user interface is generated, where the information received includes a specification of a client application, a resource, and a policy for implementation on a plurality of client devices enrolled with a management service. The enrolled devices can have different operating system installed thereon. The computing environment can generate a deployment configuration using the information received during the ingestion process, where the deployment configuration is universal across the client devices independent of the different operating systems. The deployment configuration can be published for at least one user group that causes the client devices to automatically install the client application and the resource, and implement the policy.