Apple Configurator vs. MDM

Submitted by Aaron Freimark on April 12, 2012 - 9:46pm

Is Apple Configurator a cheap substitute fo true Mobile Device Management? Or is it something else entirely? We hope this comparison answers the question.

Some notes: when we write "MDM", we are speaking about the combination of ActiveSync, MobileConfig Profiles, and Apple's interface for MDM commands that is used by most vendors in our Comparison of MDM Providers.

Apple Configurator is listed twice, since it can be used in two different ways. Devices can be unsupervised -- which means the are simply prepared for deployment -- or supervised, something altogether different.

This is a wiki page. Since we expect all these technologies to mature, we hope you help us keep this page accurate and up-to-date.

  MDM Configurator (unsupervised) Configurator (supervised)
Installation web page or (sometimes) app USB USB
Delivery of Updates OTA Push USB from original computer USB from original computer
Multi-user devices? No No Yes, with short backup-and-restore cycle
Set up mobileconfig restrictions, web clips, email, VPN, etc.? Yes, with push updates and changes Yes, only during initial config Yes, only during initial config
Update iOS No Yes Yes
Set Lock Screen Image No Yes, with optional device name Yes, with device and/or user name and/or user photo
Set Wallpaper No Yes Yes
Install free apps Yes Yes Yes
Owner (Apple ID) of free apps End User Installer Installer
Install Paid Apps with VPP Codes Yes Yes Yes
Owner of Paid Apps End-User ? Device
Revokable and Reuse VPP Codes? No Yes (if device erased by ACfg) Yes
Passwords entries needed for N app installs on a single device? N (most implementations) or 1 (some implementations) 0 0
Can push documents? Not through MDM (some have companion app) Yes, as part of initial image Yes, per-user docs backed up and saved
Query installed apps Yes No No
Remote Wipe Yes No No
Ideal for BYOD and/or widely-dispersed users Initial configuration and deployments, especially when paired with MDM Classrooms, loaner units, trainings, kiosks