Device Management | News

Lightspeed Updates Mobile Manager for Windows 8.1

• By Leila Meyer
• 07/07/14

Lightspeed Systems has updated its mobile device management (MDM) system for schools, Mobile Manager, to support the latest version of the Windows 8 operating system while introducing other new features.

Mobile Manager is a tool designed to help schools implement and manage mobile devices, and it includes cross-platform policy controls, app deployment and reporting features. While Mobile Manager already supported the Windows 8 operating system, as well as iOS, OS X and Android, it required significant updates to support the major new point release of Windows.

New features of Mobile Manager include:

• Student Information System (SIS) integration;
• Support for Windows Store App Deployment Program;
• Time-based policies to allow different in-school and after-school use;
• Device restrictions, including Windows Error reporting, data roaming, OneDrive control and Smart Screen enable;
• Bluetooth control;
• Device status updates;
• WiFi and VPN provisioning; and
• Parental controls.

This Mobile Manager update also introduces support for Mobile Learning Essentials using Windows mobile devices. Mobile Learning Essentials combines Mobile Manager with Lightspeed Systems' Web Filter and My Big Campus learning management system (LMS) to provide a complete system for using and managing mobile devices in the classroom, according to the company.

One district that is already using Lightspeed Mobile Manager to manage Windows 8.1 devices is San Diego Unified School District. The district rolled out Windows 8.1 two-in-one touch tablet devices this year as part of its 1-to-1 initiative. Teachers in the district use Mobile Manager to install apps on student devices, control passcodes and manage policies directly through the My Big Campus classroom LMS.

Further information about Lightspeed Mobile Manager can be found on the company's site.