[Day 3] Dedicated to Dedicated: Non-negotiables for EMM/MDM in Rugged Android Deployments
Disclaimer: The following article captures the opinion of Matt Dermody, Senior Director of Enterprise Mobility at Manhattan Associates. The stances contained within are a reflection of Manhattan's specific focus on line-of-business Android devices, built on years of being "Dedicated to Dedicated." Background Manhattan Associates is a B2B software company specifically focused on best-in-class, line-of-business enterprise deployments of enterprise software such as Warehouse Management (WMS), Transportation Management (TMS), and Point-of-Sale (POS). These software deployments command high expectations of uptime and availability, and that ultimately encompasses the complete solution, including the mobile computers that the software runs on. Manhattan is dedicated to ensuring that our end customers have the best possible experience, and that involves ensuring that the dedicated devices running our software are also properly maintained and supported. Google defines a "dedicated device" as a company-owned device that is fully managed and locked down for a specific work purpose, often using a single app or a small set of apps. These devices are restricted from personal use and are used for business functions like point-of-sale systems, inventory scanners, or digital signage. Or in other words, all of the device types that Manhattan sells, deploys, and supports alongside our software solutions. In that sense, I guess it can be said that we are… Dedicated to Dedicated. Managing rugged, line-of-business Android devices is not the same as managing BYOD phones and laptops. These are mission-critical endpoints running specialized apps in warehouses, stores, yards, and DCs—downtime costs money and local IT is increasingly rare. Your EMM/MDM must control versions, files, firmware, and field support with precision. Anything less adds risk and operational drag. Situation Imagine having to explain to a CIO that a business-critical mobile app has automatically upgraded to a new version that breaks functionality, and there is no easy rollback available. Here is a preview of how that might look. That situation is all too common but can be prevented with the right EMM/MDM strategies. The mere thought of that possible situation keeps the Manhattan team up at night. We have spent years developing strategies to add predictability and stability into enterprise device deployments to prevent bad situations from ever happening. Philosophies & Strategies Here is a preview of some of the core philosophies surrounding Manhattan’s tailored approach to managing mission-critical device deployments. Some of these might be controversial, but these are the strategies that work for us. 1. App Distribution and Version Discipline Rigorous version control of enterprise apps—stage, canary, bulk rollout, and rollback—is a must. Rugged ops cannot afford “surprise” app updates or version creep. If you can’t downgrade quickly, you don’t control your risk surface. An EMM/MDM should offer direct installation of private APKs on fully managed devices. Auto-upgrades to the “latest only” through Managed Google Play can lead to instability and version drift. Look for a console that can deploy specific app builds to specific groups on your schedule. If your tool can’t install an APK directly onto devices, it’s the wrong tool for rugged. Period. You must target different versions/configs by environment—Stage, QA, Prod—often per site group. That includes app versions, config files, etc. 2. File Management for App and Scanner Configuration LoB apps often externalize key settings via JSON and similar external config files. For example, Zebra DataWedge uses .db files placed in a specific auto-import directory to control mission-critical scanner settings. Your EMM must place, update, and replace these files on demand and at scale—ideally without anyone touching a device. Emergency changes (host cutover, DNS rename, scanner tweak) should be a file push away, not an onsite scramble. 3. Remote Control and Log Retrieval Treat full-fidelity Remote Control as table stakes. Support must see what the user sees, drive the screen, and pull logs and files in one session. Anything “view only” or bolt-on only erodes speed to resolution. Relying on reports from the floor or grainy pictures of an error taken from another device are not sufficient tactics for troubleshooting mission-critical device deployments. When issues hit, you don’t want an insurance policy like Remote Control that can be used to quickly diagnose and test solutions; you want a tool. An EMM admin without Remote Control is effectively blind with their hands tied behind their back. 4. OEM-level Controls (Zebra/Honeywell) There are numerous configuration settings that enterprise-grade OEMs extend beyond the baseline Android Enterprise configuration APIs. These OEMs are generally years ahead of what is available in base Android from a configurability standpoint and often introduce configuration settings that may otherwise never arrive to the base OS. These granular configuration layers ultimately are what set enterprise-class devices apart from consumer-grade technology. It is therefore imperative that an EMM managing these devices has the capability to manage OEM configuration extension features directly. For Zebra, this involves execution of their MX XML, DataWedge behavior, button mapping, radios, and other rugged-specific controls—through native profiles or integrated mechanisms. OEMConfig is useful, especially for parity across EMMs, but you will hit practical limits in closed networks and with Play-dependent timing/visibility. OEMConfig is a lowest-common-denominator functionality that was designed as a bridge to enable limited AMAPI-aligned EMMs to manage OEM-level settings with the limited tools at their disposal. Your EMM should support both OEMConfig (at a bare minimum) and offer the flexibility of direct MX/file workflows so you’re not boxed in by the limitations of distributing device settings through a complex web of Google Play server infrastructure. Your EMM should offer the ability to manage settings directly on the devices it manages, without the added layers and black boxes of complexity. 5. Firmware and Security Patching Over-the-Air (OTA) upgrades are great, but only when the EMM admin is in complete control. Auto-upgrades from the OEM pushed out over the air can bring production to a halt when critical business functions break. At a bare minimum, they can bring a network to a standstill as large upgrades are forced through the ISP connection into the building or site. An EMM should therefore offer integrations with the OEM-specific OTA and/or firmware upgrade protocols to put the controls in the admins' hands. 6. Lockdown and Kiosk Modes Rugged devices should boot into the work, not into Android. Enforce kiosk/lockdown, strict app allow-lists, settings restrictions, and consistent UX across every DC and store. The EMM should offer configurability over what is displayed on the lockdown, including personalization and customization to offer links to additional items such as launching apps, toolbars, or script executions. 7. Enrollment that Fits the Reality of Rugged Use Android Enterprise Device Owner (AEDO) with a barcode-driven process (e.g., Zebra StageNow). It’s fast, repeatable, and minimizes user taps and mis-taps on the floor. Wi-Fi credentials can be encrypted in the barcode rather than shared haphazardly and manually entered by end users into the Setup Wizard. More granular control over initial network connectivity is also afforded as compared with the limited options available through DPC extras if using the designated AEDO QR method. Avoid Zero Touch Enrollment (ZTE) for rugged Wi-Fi-only devices. ZTE is not "Zero Touch" as it realistically pushes many touches (and possible errors) to end users. There is overhead and maintenance to unenroll and re-enroll devices into the portal as they go in and out of repair. Enterprise-grade devices are often covered under repair contracts due to the nature of the environments they’re used in. This means they are going in and out of repair relatively frequently, and ZTE portal management ends up causing more bottlenecks than the steps it’s otherwise designed to free up. StageNow barcode flows are fewer steps and far more reliable for DCs and stores. 8. Closed Networks and Offline Constraints Many rugged sites have limited or no access to Google services. Your EMM must support managed app configuration and device policies in ways that don’t depend on real-time Managed Play orchestration. If your only path is Play-mediated, you’ll struggle with timing, visibility, and outcomes. Look for an EMM that offers “offline” or standalone Managed Configuration support by reading and exposing the configuration schema of an uploaded Enterprise app. 9. Health Analytics, Drift Detection, and Scripting Device health analytics (compliance, connectivity, install status) are critical for early detection and fleet stability. Pair that with a scripting engine and policy-driven rules (e.g., automatic relocation, auto-heal) to keep devices in line without manual human intervention. 10. What to Deprioritize (and Why) BYOD-centric EMMs that can’t directly install private APKs, can’t push files, and don’t include Remote Control as a first-class capability will drag deployments and support. Many EMMs specifically lack the granular APK/file control, versioning/rollback discipline, and integrated Remote Control required for rugged Android in DCs and stores; workarounds add fragility and cost without closing the gaps. Bonus – Identity and SSO Newer EMMs are offering advanced capabilities around Identity Management and SSO across business apps. As enterprise-grade devices become more multi-purpose, more mobile apps are being installed, each often with its own separate login requirements. Over time, there will be increasing needs to supply SSO workflows on-device across these business apps and to offer a clean pathway to script and automate the cleanup of a prior user’s session across all apps as they log off and make way for the next user to log in. If in the EMM selection process today, look for an EMM that offers these capabilities. Even if those features are not needed today, it is almost certainly the next set of features enterprises will look for and need to adopt. The Quick Scorecard If you can’t answer “yes” to these with your selected EMM/MDM, you’re taking unnecessary risk: Can your EMM install a specific APK build directly to AEDO devices? Can you canary a new version to one site, schedule a 2 a.m. cutover, and roll back instantly if needed? Can you push a JSON config change and a DataWedge .db to 500 devices in under 10 minutes—no manual touches? Can support remotely control the screen and pull logs/files from the same session? Can you execute Zebra MX XML, enforce kiosk/lockdown, and set scanner behavior centrally across models? Can you deploy LifeGuard/.ZIP OS updates by group, with maintenance windows and rollback? Can you enroll with StageNow barcodes (AEDO) instead of relying on ZTE flows designed for non-rugged scenarios? Can you operate cleanly in sites with limited/blocked Google services, including offline managed config workflows? Bottom Line A capable rugged EMM/MDM gives you deterministic control over versions, files, firmware, and front-line support—at fleet scale and on your schedule. Prioritize direct APK delivery, file distribution, OEM-level controls, Remote Control, AEDO barcode enrollment, and firmware orchestration. Deprioritize BYOD-first tools and any workflow that forces you through black box Play timing or pushes enrollment burden to associates on the floor. I’d love to hear what the comments have to say. Am I way off base? Do you fundamentally disagree? Or were you nodding along as you read through this. Let me know below! Oh and "AI", forgot to mention the buzzword. Matt
Google Deleted Account that Links Managed Play Store
Hello all, We're facing an issue with our Intune/Managed Google Play connector. Google has deleted the account set up specifically to connect to our Managed Google Play instance in Intune. This has been an active link, with the last new device registered about 2 weeks ago and apps on devices being updated since then. We are currently unable to enroll new devices or add new apps. We are also unable to attempt to recover the account and have not been able to find a way to contact Google directly about the account issue. Barring being able to recover the account, are there ways for us to lessen the impact of creating a new account for the linkage? Or are we going to have to have all our Android BYOD users re-enroll their devices?Managed Google Play Collections
The Managed Play Store and the Google Play iFrame play a major role in Android Enterprise Management and the Collections are important for managing and displaying apps in the Managed Store. Basically, the collections work well, but I also see room for improvement there. These would not only be useful for admins, but also for users. But first a step back: There are two different layouts: Basic and Custom. A collection (or ‘cluster’) can have up to 100 apps. Basic is a single collection Custom allows up to 30 collections Easier sorting in the iFrame The apps are sorted in the iFrame using arrows next to the app icons. Especially with large collections, it becomes a task of patience when an app has to be sorted to the back. A drag & drop feature would make customisation much more convenient. Backup / restore of collections A restore function for collections was asked for in another topic. In addition to ‘edit’, ‘delete’ and ‘duplicate’, “export” and ‘import’ would also be useful in the iFrame. (see above screenshot) Collections could be backed up and restored in this way. Be it to have only one backup, to configure a collection in a test environment exactly as in the production environment or to design a collection externally with tools and then upload it. (e.g. manual customisation of the json data of a backup) More variation for collections in the custom layout In the ‘Custom’ store layout, the collections are displayed one below the other. The mixture of vertical (between the collections) and horizontal (within the collection) scrolling can become somewhat confusing. In addition, you cannot recognise at first glance whether it is a very large or rather small collection, as usually only 3 apps are displayed. As long as you don't have many apps, the basic store layout is often much cleaner. It could therefore be useful to define a number of (app) lines per collection that are displayed in the MGP. (with 1 line as default) Or an option where a collection is displayed completely in MGP instead of scrolling sideways. There are different types of collections in the normal Google Play Store. It would be useful to be able to choose between the different variants. (See ‘Popular apps’ / Business tools") Do you have any other ideas and suggestions for MGP Collections? 😃
Target API Policy warnings for private/managed apps
Hey all, Just a note to any developers/admins that are distributing private apps via the Play Store. It has been seen that some of the private apps are getting a policy warning notification to do with the target API upcoming deadlines in August. This policy doesn't actually apply to Private Apps (https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/11926878) and so the notification is being shown in error. The Google Play team have been made aware of this and hopefully will resolve this soon. This particular policy wouldn't result in any enforcement action (such as app suspensions etc) from Play anyway so nothing to worry about and can be ignored for Private apps. Ben[Community survey] Android App Management features and security
Hello everyone, We've had a couple of surveys this month, so I hope you don't mind another. Here in the Customer Community, one of our most popular topic areas is on app management, so I'm hoping this survey is an interesting one for you all. 🤞 It would be great to hear your thoughts and ideas on ways you would like application management features and security to develop further. If you have a spare moment, please take the short survey below and if you have any additional questions, please to reply to this topic below (by clicking 'Reply'). All of the feedback will be passed over to our Product team. Feel free to share this with any colleagues or others working in this area, as it would be great to get a good amount of feedback around this. Thank you in advance for taking the time to do this. 😀 Lizzie Loading… Interested in other surveys? It would be great to hear your feedback on AE secure logs.
Need understand some point of this feature - 3.6. Managed configuration management
I have implemented this following feature - 3.6. Managed configuration management. Everything understand but got stuck in point - 3.6.3. The EMM's console must allow IT admins to set wildcards (such as $username$ or %emailAddress%) so that a single configuration for an app such as Gmail can be applied to multiple users. Not understand how to implement this wildcards in one policy for different devices and also let me know for gmail it is supported or not? Thanks in advance.Disabled apps
Friends! Lately Im getting lots of cases regarding apps not starting on our dedicated devices managed in Intune. Edge is the most common problem. If I start Google Play on an effected device I see that the app is disabled. Pressing the Enable button does nothing at all. The version of Edge installed is quite old, which is also strange since it should update automatically. Only way to fix it is to reinstall the app. Any ideas what the root cause can be and how to mitigate it?
