Mobile Computing | News

Lightspeed Systems Rolls Out Mobile Device Management System

• By Leila Meyer
• 08/09/12

Lightspeed Systems has formally released its mobile device management solution designed for schools, Mobile Manager. It enables IT staff to manage mobile devices, such as iPads, that are distributed throughout the school district and helps teachers ensure that students are using them effectively for learning.

Lightspeed Systems involved educators and IT staff in the design process for Mobile Manager to ensure that it would meet the needs of schools, and more than 500 of them signed up for the beta program. The system is designed for hierarchical control, which allows IT staff to implement policies from the district level to the school, classroom, and device level. They can set group-level policies and adjust sub-group policies on a granular level. They can also install apps and monitor device statuses remotely.

Coast Unified School District (CUSD) in California plans to use Mobile Manager with the district's rollout of more than 400 iPads. "Using Mobile Manager from Lightspeed Systems will help ensure CUSD's mobile learning program is successful," said Henry Danielson, director of technology at CUSD, in a prepared statement. "Both our IT staff and teachers can easily and effectively manage the iPads distributed throughout our district, making the transition to mobile learning seamless and maximizing the learning potential of these devices."

Mobile Manager integrates with Lightspeed Mobile Filter, a Web filter for mobile devices, and My Big Campus, a social learning platform for accessing class assignments, discussions, resources, announcements, and calendars.

Key features of Mobile Manager include:

• Multiple levels of administration for IT staff and teachers;
• Hierarchical controls, so school districts can set device policies at the district, school, classroom, and device level;
• Remote configuration and device wiping;
• Application controls;
• Centralized inventory, reporting, updates, and installations; and
• Integration with Apple Volume Purchasing Plan.

Further information about Mobile Manager is available at lightspeedsystems.com.