Configuring profiles to devices in Airwatch allows the administrator to apply a specific restriction or set devices, configuring settings and installing apps with Unified Endpoint Management(UEM) on a single central console, deploying configurations remotely.

Introduction

Airwatch allows the company IT team to secure and manage endpoint devices on a Unified Endpoint Management(UEM) platform, with Mobile Device Management(MDM) and Mobile Application Management(MAM) capabilities. The devices are secured and managed by deploying profiles remotely from the admin console. Profiles help the admin apply a specific restriction or setting to devices, configuring settings, and installing apps. The device does not have to be physically present and can be present anywhere in the world. The profile can be deployed remotely. As soon as the device is connected to the internet, the settings and apps are installed automatically.

Profiles in Airwatch

Profiles are groups of specific configurable settings and restrictions deployed remotely to the endpoint devices through a central admin console. Profiles are given specific names, for example, office wi-fi password, training manual, etc., and each profile is implemented as a single setting or very closely related settings.

Examples of profiles

The Calendar app has a company-wide calendar feature using which the main restaurant group devices can have single source of notification, so everyone in the company can see the upcoming events.

All users at a particular location have a new password by configuring its wi-fi password, which can be assigned to its organizational group.

Users can click and go to a website by adding icons to the home screens for a user group.

By assigning it only to their devices, an individual’s email account can be installed in the Mail app.

Configuring profile payloads in a two-step process and uses Mobile Device Management (MDM) functionality to enhance app performance. The general settings are first configured.  The second step is to configure the type of restriction or setting to apply to the device. This is done by selecting and deploying a payload to an individual or a group of devices. The profiles are assigned to organization groups and user groups as per requirement after they are created. Whenever possible, groups should be used as assigning settings on a per-device basis makes managing the entire fleet more difficult. Devices should be assigned individual settings to override settings in special cases.

Different platforms vary in the available payloads and their configurable settings. The different kinds of available payloads and their features are:

• General: A customized profile is created for device deployment. Available on Android and iOS.
• Wi-fi: The wi-fi profile helps devices connect to encrypted, hidden, or password-protected corporate Networks. Available on Android and iOS.
• EAS via AirWatch Inbox: Airwatch Inbox email profiles can be created. Available on Android and iOS.
• EAS via IBM Notes: IBM notes email profile can be created. Available on Android devices only.
• Web clips: A profile of web clips can be published to enrolled devices. Available on iOS devices only.
• Bookmarks: A web link for users can be created to access from user devices quickly.

Procedure:

• Go to Devices, select Profiles, click on ListView, click on Add and select Add Profile.
• The appropriate platform for the profile to be deployed is selected.
• To decide how the profile is deployed, who receives it, and other overall settings, configure General settings.
• A payload is selected and configured.

Managing Profiles

• Login to Airwatch
• Ensure all devices in the enterprise device fleet are enrolled to AirWatch management and assigned the user group and organization (location) group.
• To go to profiles, navigate to Devices on the sidebar, then select Profiles and ListView. For Apps, go to Apps & Books, and then click Public.
• Click the pencil icon across from its name to edit a profile or app. Configure settings or manage devices that have the profile.
• Select the icon with two squares to create a new profile or app setting off an old one.
• Select the magnifying glass to view which devices have the profile or app
• Force a profile to install by selecting the icon with the arrow or click the X button to remove it from the device.
• Select the down arrow icon across from its name and click on Delete Profile to delete a profile.

Creating a profile

1. Login to Airwatch
2. Ensure all devices in the enterprise device fleet are enrolled to AirWatch management and assigned the user group and organization (location) group.
3. Navigate to Devices on the sidebar, then select Profiles
4. Select List View under profiles to view all the existing profiles and how they are being used.
5. Select Add under the list view, select a platform, such as Apple iOS (for iPhone & iPad) or Android.
6. Provide a Profile name.
7. Settings will be automatically sent to the devices by selecting Managed deployment (default).
8. Choose a store or the company name for all locations by navigating and clicking to the right of Assigned Organizational Groups. To apply to more groups, select the box below.
9. Check the box Publish only to users in selected User Groups to limit to certain types of users. Choose a staff position by navigating and clicking to the right of Assigned User Groups.
10. A profile type can be chosen from the left, for instance, web clip (home screen icon), wi-fi, email, or CalDAV (calendars).
11. Configure the options as per specific requirements.
12. Add more settings to the same profile by selecting the + button at the bottom of the page and repeating the two steps mentioned above, as profiles can contain several settings.
13. Select between save or publish. Save only remembers the choices for a particular profile, whereas publish deploys the actual profile.

Adding Webpages Icons to the Home screen

This feature is only available on Apple devices. To put links to web pages on the home screen of Apple devices, a profile needs to be created first. Choose web clip in step 10 mentioned above. A name is entered for the icon, and the web address (URL) is copied and pasted. A custom icon is uploaded. Select the + sign at the bottom of the profile page to install several icons at once and add as many web clips as required before saving the profile. A profile may have several web icons, which will be installed on all the specified devices. ​​Each group needs to be defined as a separate profile if some employees need only certain icons and others do not.

Creating an app profile

• Login to Airwatch
• Ensure all devices in the enterprise device fleet are enrolled to AirWatch management and assigned the user group and organization (location) group.
• Navigate to Apps & Books, then select Public.
• Select Add Application under the list view. A platform is chosen, like iOS or Android.
• Enter the app name and select next
• Choose Select to the right, after finding the app
• Navigate to Assignment and click in the box to select a smart group of devices to be installed.
• Alternatively, Create New Smart Group can be chosen, and the user groups (staff positions) and the organizational group (store locations) that need the app are checked. Smart Groups are given a name based on the options chosen, then select Save.
• Select Save and Publish.