Set Idle Timeout to Auto Launch an Application
You have setup a kiosk at a stall in supermarket for shoppers to go through food product reviews and calculate calories. Hence you have allowed two applications; a browser to browse through the products and a calorie calculator. You want every new user at the kiosk to start with the browser first even if the last user has left calorie calculator open on the screen. What do you do?
All you have to do is to access SureLock Settings, set an Idle Timeout and specify an application to auto launch every time the device is idle for the specified time.
Here is how you do it.
1. Login to your SureLock Settings screen.
2. Tap on SureLock Settings
3. Tap on Timeout Settings under SureLock Settings
4. Tap on Idle Timeout option to enable and enter the Idle Timeout value in seconds or minutes
5. Now tap on Idle Timeout Application option to select the application
6. Tap on Done to complete
To Know more about SureLock, visit http://www.42gears.com/surelock/.
Export Location Tracking Data using SureMDM
One of the best features about SureMDM is locating your devices anywhere in the world. With just a click of a button on SureMDM Web Console, you can see real-time location of devices on a map. Now, we have gone one step ahead and with the new update in SureMDM, you can export the location data of a device in .csv format.
Follow the below mentioned steps to export the Location Tracking Data :
1. Login to SureMDM Web Console
2. Select the device from the Device List
3. Click on Locate
4. On the Locate Screen, click on History which will list out the Location Tracking History
5. Click on Modify to Select From and To Date and Time
6. Click on Export to export the .csv file
To know more about SureMDM, visit http://www.42gears.com/suremdm/index.html.
Which product do I need? SureLock, SureFox Basic or SureFox Pro?
All of the 42Gears products are unique with specific features and benefits. It would be really easy to decide on which solution best fits your requirement if you know what each product can do or is capable of.
Here we are going to talk about three products; SureFox Basic, SureFox Pro and SureLock for Android devices.
How to create shortcuts to files (pictures, PDFs, Videos, Music) in SureLock?
SureLock allows you to add shortcuts of your Images, PDFs, Videos, Music files on the SureLock Home Screen along with device applications. It requires you to first enable shortcuts feature in SureLock and then add shortcuts of files on SureLock Home Screen.
To enable Shortcuts in SureLock, follow below mentioned steps:
1. Login to SureLock’s Admin Settings
2. Tap on Manage Shortcuts
3. Under Manage Shortcuts, tap and check Accept New Shortcuts
4. Tap on Done
There are two methods of adding shortcuts of files on SureLock Home Screen:
METHOD 1
1. Login to SureLock's Admin Settings
2. Tap on Manage Shortcuts
3. Under Manage Shortcuts, tap and check Accept New Shortcuts
4. Exit SureLock and return to Device Home
5. Browse the device files with a File Browser (eg. ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager, etc.) and create shortcuts of the files you wish to allow on the SureLock Home Screen
6. If the shortcut requires a particular supporting application to run or to function then the application should also be allowed as an Allowed Application and can be hidden using Allowed Application’s Hide Icon in Home Screen option.
Example: If you have added a PDF file's shortcut then you should also allow a PDF Reader as an allowed application and can be hidden in the SureLock Home Screen.
7. The Shortcuts are automatically imported to the SureLock Home Screen
8. Go to Manage Shortcuts and uncheck Accept New Shortcuts to avoid further import of Shortcuts from the device
Note - Unwanted shortcuts can then be removed using the Remove option from Manage Shortcuts settings
METHOD 2
1. Login to SureLock's Admin Settings
2. Tap on Manage Shortcuts
3. Under Manage Shortcuts, tap and check Accept New Shortcuts
4. Tap on Done and go to Allowed Applications
5. On Allowed Applications, add File Explorer (eg. ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager, etc.) as one of the allowed applications
6. Return to SureLock Home Screen and open the File Explorer
7. Browse through the files using the allowed File Browser and create shortcuts of desired files on the device
8. If the shortcut requires a particular supporting application to run or to function then the application should also be allowed as an Allowed Application and can be hidden using Allowed Application’s Hide Icon in Home Screen option.
Example: If you have added a PDF file's shortcut then you should also allow a PDF Reader as an allowed application and can be hidden in the SureLock Home Screen.
8. Once done creating shortcuts, remove ES File Explorer from Allowed Applications's Remove option
9. Go to Manage Shortcuts and uncheck Accept New Shortcuts to avoid further import of Shortcuts from the device
How to enable Offline Browsing using SureFox Kiosk Browser?
Offline Browsing is downloading and copying web pages onto a computer or a device in order to view them locally without being connected to the Internet. It is very useful when the computer is offline and connection to the Internet is impossible or undesirable.
With SureFox, now you can enable offline browsing of listed allowed websites in your device. Follow the below mentioned procedure to enable offline browsing.
1. Login to SureFox Settings
2. On SureFox Settings screen, tap on Browser Preferences
3. On Browser Preferences screen, deselect Enable Private Browsing
4. Tap and select Enable Cache and Cache Browsing
5. Tap Done to save the changes in the settings
To know more about SureFox, visit http://www.42gears.com/surefox/.
Whitepaper – Digital Signage Using Tablets
There are numerous reasons why market researchers are focusing on the trend of using Digital Signage as an effective Marketing and Branding tool. With every new report on Digital Signage, the fact gets stronger that Digital Signage is here to stay.
One important factor that they consider the reason behind growth in usage of Digital Signage is the growth in small businesses. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, small businesses employs nearly 60 percent of the private workforce and generates 39 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and is in constant move towards growth*. With the increase in the number of small businesses, their constant lookout for solutions to make them visible in local market is leading them to Digital Signage. Digital Signage combined with effective display and interactive applications would not only help them with effective branding but also in engagement of existing customers through better customer experience.
Secondly, the increase in usage of Digital Signage across different sectors. Now, they are not limited only to as a static display medium or an informational kiosks but they have become more responsive and interactive. Different forms of Digital Signage are being used in offices for corporate communications, in schools for educational activities, in manufacturing units, banks and even in government offices. According to a news release, On Campus Media, a Digital-out-of-home media provider reaches more than 4 million students through 1,000-plus digital screens at more than 400 campus bookstores**.
Thirdly, recent research also indicates a trend of steady fall in cost related to Digital Signage. There is a decrease in installation cost for Digital Signage of 56% from 2004 till 2010*** and not to forget that the related solutions are also becoming more affordable and multi-functional.
Also, there is a huge increase in use of mobile devices like tablets for business related activities which have made them very versatile in use. Andriod, iOS and Windows Tablets now with right lockdown solution can be used as Digital Signage. Thus making Digital Signage much easy to adopt and very cost effective.
For more, read our White Paper on Digital Signage
* - http://www.digitalsignagetoday.com, Digital signage will make 2013 the year for small business growth, Dec 2012
**- http://www.digitalsignagetoday.com, On Campus Media, Campus Special partner to target university demographic, April 2013
** *- http://www.wirespring.com,Digital, Signage Pricing Report, 2011
Play videos as screensaver on Android Tablets and Devices
SureVideo transforms your handheld Android device into a video playing kiosk. Its features to support all Standard and High-Definition video formats and automatic video looping makes it an ultimate solution for full-screen video playback for product displays, demos or business communications.
Now with SureVideo's new feature, you can enable video as a screensaver for your device even if you have not enabled SureVideo's kiosk mode. Following steps tells you how to do that.
1. Login to your SureVideo Settings
2. On SureVideo Settings screen, tap on Screensaver Settings
3. On Screensaver Settings screen, tap on Enable Screensaver which will also enable Screensaver Timeout option
4. Select Screensaver Timeout value in either seconds or minutes and enter the timeout value
Note : Minimum value is 10 seconds
5. Tap on Done to save the settings
To know more about SureVideo, visit http://www.42gears.com/surevideo/.
Disable Home Button on Windows 8 Tablets – SureLock
Do you want to disable Home button on Windows 8 tablet? You will learn the effective way to do it by end of this post.
Windows 8 tablets apt for mobile workforce?
Windows 8 is fast, touch enabled, faster to boot and has huge security improvements than previous Windows Operating Systems. Windows 8 tablets with the functioning compatibility of MS Office tools are as powerful as laptops which makes them very appropriate for mobile enterprise workforce.
With all the great features, deployment of Windows 8 tablet as a field tool seems pretty obvious however, with such a dynamic desktop and applications loaded Start Screen, the proper usage of device and its handling becomes much of a concern. Especially with introduction of Home Button or Windows Button in Windows 8 tablets, it is easy to access Start Screen even with a device lockdown application installed.
Disable Home Button using SureLock
SureLock has been and continues to be an ultimate lockdown solution for our Android and iOS customers and now it is extended to Windows 8 Tablets as well. SureLock’s features like allowing only whitelisted applications to run on the device, its password protected lockdown settings, option to launch of Apps in kiosk mode, disabled device notifications and arrays of customization options makes it very appropriate for Windows 8 Tablets.
With customized lockdown of device’s features, you can be rest assured that your mobile workforce have access only to allowed applications required for their daily business activities. SureLock also ensures that there are no options or loops for any kind of workaround to escape the lockdown. This may also include usage of Home Button to access the Start Screen. Disabling this central lone external button on Windows 8 tablets which give direct access to Start Screen is very crucial for an effective lockdown. SureLock effectively disables the functioning of Home Button blocking all access to Start Screen and supports automatic start on device reboot hence the settings are maintained even post the device goes through a cold or warm reboot.
We have more to share so keep a watch on this space. For additional details about SureLock for Windows 8, visit http://www.42gears.com/surelock/surelockwindows8.html for more details.
Block Applications in Windows 8 Tablets – SureLock
By end of this blog entry, you will learn how to block applications in Windows 8 tablets.
What we like about Windows 8?
Don't you think that Windows 8 has good visual appeal and its touch enabled features makes it great for surfing the net to playing games? It’s dynamic desktop and Start Screen is such a pleasure to use on phones, tablets or PCs especially when the metro tiles automatically integrates with installed social networking applications and comes alive with latest posts and updates. Separate tiles for each application including news, search engines and games on the Start Screen makes it easy to launch and use.
Why blocking of applications required? Easiest way to block applications?
When mobile enterprises decide to use Windows 8 tablets as field devices, the unavoidable question on proper and effective use of devices comes into the picture. With thousands of free apps online, easy access to social networking sites, games and exposed settings makes the device as well as the workforce efficiency vulnerable. Not only with mobile enterprises but also when schools or colleges use Windows 8 tablets for educational activities or small businesses use them as an informational kiosk, you need a controlled environment with access to only required applications. So a quick and easy solution in form of an application becomes a must. An application which allows running of only certain handpicked applications on the device.
SureLock does that. Once installed in your Windows 8 tablet, it lets you access administrative screen and specify a set of allowed applications through simple steps. Allow as many applications as needed, change the administrative password and the device is all set for deployment.
How to allow applications?
1. Tap 5 times anywhere on the SureLock Homepage within 3 seconds to activate the password console
2. Login with your default password - 0000
3. Browse and add the application you want to allow
SureLock for Windows 8 is going through a transformation and loads of new features are being added so keep a watch on this space. For additional details about SureLock for Windows 8, visit http://www.42gears.com/surelock/surelockwindows8.html for more details.
Using Custom Wallpaper in SureLock to Brand Windows 8 Tablets for Business Use
Today, we will see how your Windows 8 tablet, even in a lockdown mode (using SureLock) can be used as a branding tool.
Why do I need to lockdown a mobile device?
Based on a survey last year by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), it was reported that 21 percent of tablet buyers had plans to use their tablets for business. Use the tablets at the counter or use it as a kiosk, it always will works.
But again, whether a big enterprise or a small time business with mobile workforce, deployment of tablets as field tool may be more than just handing a tablet instead of a laptop. The tablets that you are giving away unguarded can be an exposed medium for accessing unwanted applications and you may be paving possibilities of your workforce's effortless working hours. So what do you do next? The most obvious solutions would be an effective lockdown application like SureLock which blocks running of unwanted applications, allows only selective applications to run and protect the device against any setting changes[A3] .
What more can you do with SureLock Kiosk Lockdown?
You got the lockdown solution and deployed it but what if there was more that you could do with the locked device. SureLock for Windows 8 for example now allows you to customize the locked homepage making it another perfect way to brand your business equipment.
Save your company logo, advertisements or company’s values and have it as a wallpaper on the locked device. It will take your branding one step ahead. And with efficient and clever use of this feature, for example having do’s and don’ts of the business as the SureLock homepage wallpaper, you can constantly remind your workforce about the what to do and what not which possibly will help increase efficiency of your workforce.
How do you customize wallpaper in SureLock?
1. Login with your default password - 0000
2. Tap on SureLock Settings from Main Menu
3. Tap on Wallpaper from SureLock Settings screen
4. Tap on Browse button to browse for the wallpaper
5. Tap on Done
What next with SureLock for Windows 8?
SureLock for Windows 8 is still going through a transformation and loads of new features are being added so keep a watch on this space. For additional details about SureLock for Windows 8, visit http://www.42gears.com/surelock/surelockwindows8.html for more details.