Migrate your devices from IBM MaaS360 to Hexnode UEM

Introduction

With a rapid rise in the never-ending technological advancements, the needs of your organization may continuously change. There’s a good chance that your current device management solution may fail to satisfy your growing business needs. In that case, the best thing you can do is switch your Mobile Device Management (MDM) vendor.

There are plenty of reasons why organizations migrate from one MDM to another. Overpriced plans, in-efficient support, complicated steps, and cloggy UI are major reasons why enterprises think of migration.

Why Hexnode UEM?

If your current MDM does not meet your business goals or technical requirements, it is always better to migrate to a more flexible and robust solution. Hexnode UEM, the award-winning UEM solution, helps you cover every feature for comprehensive device management.

Here’s a list of Hexnode features that you’ve been missing out on your current vendor:

1. Unified management of devices: Hexnode manages all your endpoints from a single centralized console. It employs a holistic approach to manage all endpoints and apps across the organization.
2. Multiple OS support: Hexnode extends its management capabilities to support almost all major platforms such as Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, Fire OS, and Apple TVs.
3. Security: Hexnode secures your digital workspace without compromising the user experience. It includes a multitude of security features on apps, networks, and devices.
4. Zero learning curve: Hexnode is designed to minimize complex configuration steps, and thus, it has a gentle learning curve. Here, IT administrators do not require additional training to start managing endpoints.
5. Seamless on-boarding of devices: Hexnode UEM solution lets you on-board your devices with a wide variety of enrollment options ranging from zero-touch to minimal touch methods. It also lets you configure device settings prior to enrollment to make the devices ready for use right out of the box. In addition, Hexnode employs a top-of-the-line support team to readily fix and attend customer requests.
6. Flexible pricing plans: Here at Hexnode, we offer a wide range of pricing plans that are specially designed to meet all your corporate requirements.

This migration guide will help you cover all the necessary steps to migrate from IBM MaaS360 to Hexnode UEM seamlessly.

Key points for a successful migration

Before starting the migration process, here are some tips that will help you to migrate from IBM MaaS360 to Hexnode UEM successfully.

• MDM Migration Checklist: Follow the steps mentioned in the migration checklist to accomplish a successful migration. The checklist provides a list of tasks you must follow during the migration phases.
• Clear communication to end-users: Inform your end-users about the transition clearly and provide details to the exact steps (device wipe, initial setup assistant, etc.), which they are expected to perform. Empower your users to take part in the enrollment process and make them feel that they have more acceptance of management.
• Test migration processes using a few devices from all platforms: Start your migration by testing with a few sample devices from all platforms to optimize the migration processes and to check for any configuration errors. This will also help you to validate your migration plan.

  We recommend migrating devices in an incrementing pattern. That is, in groups such that the next group has more devices than the last. This helps to identify and rectify the issues associated with a smaller number of devices than the entire set.

• Sign up for a free trial in Hexnode UEM: Test the product for 14 days by signing up for a free trial to explore the rich features and functionalities in Hexnode UEM. This will help you understand the product better and makes migration processes fast and expedient.

The entire migration processes can be grouped into three stages:

1. Pre-Migration Phase
2. Migration Phase
3. Post-Migration Phase

Pre-Migration Phase

The pre-migration phase includes all the activities you must perform prior to the migration phase. The below list explains all the pre-migration events and activities:

• Assess MDM requirements of your enterprise: After all, the ultimate point of breaking away from your previous MDM vendor is to manage your organization’s needs more efficiently. Hence, the primary concern must be about what the organization needs from an MDM solution. Make sure that the features that were lacking from your previous vendor are present on your new MDM provider.

  Evaluate your previous MDM solution based on the areas that need improvement, as well as the features that need to be carried over to the new MDM. Prepare for the transition only after deciding various criteria such as the OS platforms, device types, device choice – personal or corporate, and so on.

• Identify the use-case of the organization: While preparing for the transition, check that the new MDM service will meet and satisfy the use-case of the organization. Ensure that the MDM platform you are planning to migrate can support your firm’s requirement growth in the near future. Decide all the configurations and features which you are going to use with the new MDM based on the use-case of your organization.
• Create a list of users: Prepare a list of all users that must be added to the new MDM solution. Export the user data from the previous MDM provider’s user database, if possible. Identify specific users who require special privileges like admin and technicians.
• Create a logical timeline: The first step before heading to the migration phase is to create an effective timeline. Choose a time period that is best suited for migration. It will be ideal to choose a time period in which your devices are out of use so that the IT team will have enough time for the transition without impacting users.

  Study the entire migration process and prepare an achievable schedule that includes important milestones, expenses, and many other implementation factors. Divide the entire migration process into different segments, targeting from a small group of devices to a higher number within various periods. This will optimize the process and helps to validate the migration plan.

• Effective Communication: It’s highly important to inform and educate your end-users about the migration processes. Describe the steps which your users must execute, which should include the details on whether the device will be wiped or not, whether the users are required to wipe and re-enroll the devices manually, and so on. Empower your users by providing thorough training sessions and in-depth help articles to carry out the steps seamlessly.
• Backup data to cloud services: Store sensitive data to cloud services before migration so that any data, if lost after migration, can be retrieved. Some examples of cloud services include:
  • iCloud
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • Box
• Prepare devices for migration: After completing the events mentioned above, check your device for activation lock and factory reset protection. Back up your data to keep it safe if in case your device gets wiped. Make your devices ready for the transition. Help regarding device wipe and disenrollment from your previous vendor are explained in the next phase – Migration Phase.

Migration Phase

The migration phase includes all the actions that the organization must carry out to migrate from one MDM to another. Make sure that you are right on the migration timeline and have completed all the pre-migration steps before entering the migration phase.

The first thing to do while planning the migration is to check out new MDMs. Here at Hexnode, we provide a 14-day trial period with the highest subscription plan, so that you explore all the features and make sure everything you need is provided by us. If not, contact us directly and request new features that you find essential to meet your requirements.

Since you have access to the Hexnode portal, identify which pricing plan that you will be choosing when the trial period ends. Hexnode offers programs that are scaled across various price ranges. Refer to the pricing page if you are facing any difficulty in tracking down the features.

Steps to be followed in the migration phase:

3. Directory integration

Register your directory services like AD, Azure AD, G Suite, and Okta in Hexnode for easy and better management.

4. Import Assets

To import users to Hexnode, it is best to export the users’ list in the form of a CSV file from the previous vendor and use the “Bulk enrollment” option to add them in Hexnode. This relieves you from importing users manually.

If you are integrating with AD, Azure AD, G Suite, or Okta, please neglect the above mentioned, as users and groups will be directly synced with Hexnode.

You can also export device details from IBM MaaS360 and add them as pre-approved devices in Hexnode (Apple and Android). Adding a pre-approved device gives you the flexibility to pre-configure apps and policies in the devices even before enrollment initiation.

5. Create Policies

Create policies in Hexnode that suits your use cases. Hexnode lets you configure policies for all supported Operating Systems from the same pane. This will come in handy if your organization is managing devices in more than one device platform. You can proactively attach users, user groups, domains, and pre-approved devices as the Policy targets.

6. Disenroll from IBM MaaS360

To disenroll a device from MaaS360, you must remove the MDM profile from the device. You can achieve this by either deleting devices from the console directly or removing profiles manually.

Direct method

Follow the below-mentioned steps to un-enroll devices from the MaaS360 console:

1. Log in to your MaaS360 portal.
2. Click on Devices > Inventory to show the list of enrolled devices.
3. Select the devices you want to remove from the MaaS360 portal.
4. Click on the Remove Control option from the More drop-down button.
5. Click Continue to confirm your action.

Notes:

• Selecting Remove Control option sends a wipe command to remove the data from the device first.
• A wipe command deletes all data on the device and resets the device back to the original factory settings. Make sure that you have proper data backup if your devices need to be wiped.

To carry out a device wipe separately, follow the below steps:

1. Navigate to the Devices tab on the MaaS360 portal.
2. Select the device you wish to wipe.
3. Click on the Wipe command from the More drop-down menu.

Manual disenrollment

In situations where access to the MaaS360 console is not available, you can jump to manual disenrollment methods. Inform your users about the measures to be taken to un-enroll their devices.

The below portions provide the platform-specific disenrollment methods from the device:

Windows

To remove the MDM profile from Windows devices,

• Go to Windows Settings.
• Remove the MDM profile from Accounts > Work Access.

Note:

• If the restriction ‘Allow manual unenrollment’ is disabled on the devices, the users cannot delete the MDM profile using their devices. In such cases, follow the direct method to disenroll devices from the MaaS360 portal.

macOS

To remove MDM profile from macOS devices:

• Navigate to System Preferences > Profiles.
• Select the MDM profile you wish to remove and click on the minus button to delete it.

Android

• For devices enrolled in device owner mode, disenroll the device by factory resetting the device.
  Note:

  • If the restriction ‘Prevent factory reset’ is applied on the devices, the MDM profile can be removed only by factory resetting the device through the Android Recovery mode.

• For other enrollments:
  • Select Device Administrators option from Settings > Security on your device.
  • Select the MDM profile you wish to remove and click on Deactivate option.
• To remove device management using the MaaS360 app,
  • Open the MaaS360 app on your Android device and navigate to Settings > My Device.
  • Then select Remove MDM control from the menu.
  • Go to Settings > Apps & notifications on your device.
  • Select the MaaS360 app from the list.
  • Click on Uninstall.

iOS

Follow the steps below to remove the MDM profile from iOS devices:

• On the device, navigate to Settings > General > Device Management.
• Select the MDM profile you want to remove and click on the Remove Management to remove the profile.

Note:

• For iOS devices with the ‘Allow MDM profile removal’ option disabled during DEP enrollment, the MDM profile can be removed only by factory resetting the device.

Now, let’s look at different scenarios in detail.

Apple Devices

• For Apple devices added to DEP (iOS, Apple TV, and Mac)

  To disenroll a DEP enrolled device in which the removal of MDM administration profile is restricted,

  • Remove your devices from the current MDM server. This can be done in two ways. Either delete the previous_mdm_server from ABM, or you can remove/unassign/release devices from the previous_mdm_server.
  • If you are deleting the server, reassign the devices to the new MDM server that you have created for Hexnode. Or if you are unassigning the devices, first download the device list using the Download button then unassign.
  • Then carry out a complete device wipe to remove the device management.
• For Apple devices enrolled via Apple Configurator (iOS and Apple TV)
  • Either use the Remove Control option or carry out a wipe to remove the current MDM profile from the device.
  • Create a new blueprint with Hexnode UEM details and apply it to the device that has to be migrated.
• For Apple devices enrolled via other enrollment methods, follow the direct disenrollment method to remove devices from the portal.

Notes:

• A supervised device after device reset will turn non-supervised. Use the Apple Configurator or DEP enrollment methods to regain supervision.
• While resetting the device, make sure that either the MDM provides an activation bypass code or remove the Apple ID linked to the device to prevent activation lock.
• Re-enrolling devices in Hexnode via DEP and Apple Configurator will send a wipe command to the device. Prior to doing so, back up the important data.

Android Devices

In the case of Android devices, a simple Remove Control action can be employed to remove devices from MaaS360, or you can factory reset devices to remove management. The various methods of un-enrolling devices for different types of enrollments are discussed below:

• Legacy Android:

  In legacy Android enrolled devices, removing the MDM agent app (by restricting the apps’ device admin privileges) or factory resetting the device is enough to remove management.

• Android Enterprise:
  • In case of the profile owner enrolled device, removing work profile (Settings > Accounts > Remove Work Profile) or factory resetting the device will also remove remote management.
  • Device owner enrolled machines can be disenrolled by factory resetting the device.
Note:


While resetting, make sure that Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is disabled. Or, remove the accounts associated with the device prior to the factory reset.

• Zero-touch enrolled devices:

  Use the Remove Control option to disenroll and wipe the device. Or,

  1. Login to your Zero-touch portal.
  2. Go to Devices, change the Configurations for the devices whose management has to be removed to No config.
• Samsung Knox enrolled devices:

  To remove the management of a Samsung Knox device,

  1. Sign in to your Knox portal.
  2. Go to Knox Mobile Enrollment > LAUNCH CONSOLE.
  3. Go to Devices > ALL DEVICES.
  4. Select the devices whose management has to be removed.
  5. Click on Actions > Configure devices.
  6. Change MDM Profiles to Clear profiles and Save.

Windows devices

Windows devices can be disenrolled by the Remove Control command.

7. Enroll in Hexnode

To manage the disenrolled devices from the previous MDM vendor, you need to enroll them with Hexnode UEM. Hexnode UEM supports enrollment of iOS, Android, Mac, Windows 10 PCs & Tablets, Apple TV, and Fire OS devices. Here, devices can be registered using a plethora of enrollment methods ranging from zero-touch to minimal touch enrollment options. Before enrolling your devices, make sure that you configure the enrollment settings on the Hexnode portal.

The platform-specific instructions for enrolling devices in Hexnode UEM are given below:

iOS Devices

iOS devices can be enrolled through various enrollment techniques:

• Apple Business Manager/Apple School Manager

  The most recommended in case of bulk supervised enrollment.
  To assign the devices to the newly created MDM server for Hexnode,

  1. In the Apple Business Manager page, go to Device > Device Assignments.
  2. Upload the CSV file that you have downloaded in Step 2: Migrate Tokens.
  3. Choose Action as Assign to server and choose that you created for Hexnode as the MDM Server.
• Apple configurator

  Each device has to be individually accessed to enroll in Hexnode using Apple Configurator. Use this method to enable device supervision on enrollment when the device cannot be enrolled using Apple DEP.

• Pre-approved

  Use in case you want to pre-approve devices or pre-assign policies to devices before enrollment.

• Email/SMS

  Users will get enrollment request with login credentials via email/SMS to guide them through the enrollment procedure.

• Enroll in DEP via Apple Configurator

  Previously, Apple allowed only the devices purchased directly from Apple to be enrolled in DEP. But now you can add any Apple devices running iOS 11 or later to DEP regardless of how or from where it is purchased, using Apple Configurator 2.5 or later.

• Enrollment without authentication

Users can directly enroll in Hexnode with no authentication.

• Self enrollment

  Users can enroll with their directory or local credentials.

Mac Devices

Mac devices can be enrolled in Hexnode through any of the following ways:

• Email/SMS

  Devices can be enrolled by entering the credentials that are sent to users via email or SMS.

• Enrollment without authentication

  With this enrollment method, users can directly enroll their devices without any authentication.

• Apple Business Manager/Apple School Manager

  This method is recommended to enroll a large number of devices in bulk.

• Self enrollment

  Users can directly enroll in Hexnode with their local or directory credentials.

Apple TV Devices

Use any of the following methods to enroll Apple TVs in Hexnode UEM.

• Apple Configurator
• Apple Business/School Manager

Android Devices

• Android Legacy
• Self-enrollment

Self-enrollment allows the users to enroll devices with their Active Directory/Azure Active Directory/Google/Okta/Local user credentials.

• QR code

  Scan the QR Code to enroll in Hexnode via the Hexnode app.

• Email/SMS enrollment

  An Email/SMS with the enrollment credentials and instructions on how to enroll devices will be sent to the selected users. They can use this information to enroll their devices in Hexnode.

• Pre-approved

  Upload a CSV file with device details in Hexnode so that, you can attach policies and applications to devices prior to enrollment.

• Android Enterprise

To enroll a device in Android Enterprise,

• Enroll your organization in the Android Enterprise program via the Google or Managed domain.
• Enroll the devices using either the profile owner or device owner enrollment methods.
• Zero Touch Enrollment

  Zero-touch enrollment is a bulk device enrollment method. To enroll a device using Zero-Touch enrollment method,

  1. Login to your zero-touch portal and create a configuration for Hexnode UEM.
  2. Upload the device list in CSV format and apply the configuration to the devices.
  3. All the devices will now be assigned to that specific configuration.
• Samsung Knox Enrollment

  Samsung Knox devices can be enrolled in Hexnode via Knox Mobile Enrollment, a no-touch enrollment solution by Samsung Knox. To enroll in Knox,

  1. Login to your Knox portal account and create a profile for Hexnode UEM.
  2. Upload the device list in CSV format and assign the profiles to the devices.
  3. For reseller purchased devices, the reseller will add the devices to the Knox portal. Then the profiles can be applied to the devices.
  4. For non-reseller devices, associate the created Hexnode profile to the devices via Knox Deployment Application and deploy them using either Bluetooth or NFC.
• Android ROM/OEM Enrollment

  Android ROM/OEM enrollment unlocks a lot of features like non-removable MDM even after device wipe, silent app installation, etc. You can make the Hexnode system agent app as a privileged app during Android ROM/OEM enrollment. This will grant system permissions to the Hexnode MDM app as new versions are being installed.

Windows Devices

• Enroll using Hexnode Installer

  Recommended for devices running Windows 10 v1803 or later. Enter the enrollment URL (www..hexnodemdm.com/enroll/) on the browser to download the Hexnode Installer app on the device. Install the app and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the device enrollment.

• Open enrollment & Authenticated enrollment via Email/SMS

  Recommended for Windows 10 v1709 or below.

  The major difference between open enrollment and Email/SMS is that users will be asked to authenticate for enrolling their device via the Email/SMS enrollment method.

  To enroll a device using Open or Email/SMS enrollment methods, go to Settings > Accounts > Access Work or School > Enroll in device management on the device. Enter the enrollment URL and the user authentication credentials (required for Email/SMS enrollment) whenever prompted. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the device enrollment.

• Self enrollment

  Users have to enroll in Hexnode by authenticating with their organization’s directory credentials or local user credentials.

• PPKG Enrollment

  Use the PPKG enrollment technique while bulk enrolling Windows devices in Hexnode. End-users need to just power on the device, get connected to the network, and install the ppkg file to get enrolled with Hexnode UEM.
  To enroll devices via PPKG enrollment,

  1. Create a ppkg file using Windows ICD.
  2. Distribute this ppkg via external media/email.
  3. Click on the ppkg file and follow the on-screen procedure to get the devices enrolled with Hexnode.

8. Migration Fallback

There is a possibility that some of the device enrollments may end in failures. This may set back your whole productivity. We suggest some of our easier enrollment techniques as a workaround to quickly roll out your devices to the MDM console quickly.

For Apple Devices use:

• Email/SMS (Use either open/authenticated enrollment)
• Pre-approved
• Apple configurator (For supervised enrollment – iOS only)

For Android Devices use:

• QR Code
• Email/SMS (Use either open/authenticated enrollment)
• Pre-approved

For Windows Devices use:

• Enroll using Hexnode Installer

9. Monitor enrollment process

Monitor the whole enrollment process and track newly enrolled users using various analytics methods. Identify the devices still in unenrolled/enrollment failed state. Use any of the methods mentioned in migration fallback to enroll it back in Hexnode UEM.

Post-Migration Phase

This phase includes all checks and surveys to be carried out to ensure that all devices are migrated from your previous vendor to Hexnode UEM successfully.

• Device Inventory checks: Export the details of all devices enrolled in Hexnode UEM from the Reports tab. Compare this list with the exported legacy MDM provider’s device database. This will help to find out all the devices which are still not enrolled in Hexnode UEM.
• Restoring back-up data: For Apple devices, you can restore saved data by logging into your devices using your iCloud or Managed Apple ID. Cloud-hosted data can also be retrieved from cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, etc. This will ensure no data loss after the migration process.
• Unsubscribing the services of old MDM: Decommission the services of your previous MDM provider.
• Surveys and feedback on new MDM: Collect users’ feedback to identify any issues or new requirements in your new MDM solution. Conduct surveys regularly to analyze the user experience so that training sessions can be arranged, if needed, for new areas and use cases.
• Troubleshooting/Support plan to assist with migration: Equip yourself with the world-class support team from Hexnode UEM to assist you in issues regarding migration. Clear your queries by referring to the published FAQs and other how-to articles to mitigate troubleshooting issues.