iPad MDM – Don’t Risk Losing Resale Value!

ipad_lock-resized-600Institutions that have large numbers of iPads are beginning to employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to distribute software and to control data security of mobile assets. In addition and in concert with MDM solutions, Apple has recently rolled out a complimentary solution called Device Enrollment Program (DEP) which also has MDM capabilities. While these tools are a good idea for data security and asset management, MDM and DEP can cause problems with iPad asset remarketing.

Lifespan has received assets that have been registered with Apple or have otherwise been registered in a 3rd party MDM or Apple’s DEP.  These devices may be “locked” from ever being used again. This means the device cannot be remarketed – the original owner will not receive resale value and the device will need to be broken into parts or recycled.  So the lifecycle value of the device is greatly diminished.

Even if the iPad has been sanitized and reset, a DEP-registered device’s previous owner information may be displayed. Because the device could possibly still be attached to the DEP/MDM system, proprietary applications may be distributed to the new owner. This means there is a data security risk in addition to the potential loss of value.

Apple enrolls the device based on the organization that bought it, and it will stay enrolled with that organization and attached to the DEP/MDM system until it’s released by the original owner. In order to ensure that you don’t encounter these problems, whether it’s return of a leased device or disposition of those you purchased, be sure to take the following steps:

  1. Complete all steps necessary to release assets from any MDM and/or Apple DEP registrations.
  2. Only sell your iPads to a vendor who will screen and test the devices to confirm that they are not registered with an MDM or Apple DEP. You don’t want an asset that’s still registered or attached to your organization to get in the hands of an outside user.  A qualified ITAD vendor will notify you when these devices are received.

describe the image

If you are in charge of the MDM program at your company, you should follow the instructions from Apple to disown the device when you are ready to retire it and resell it.  If you are just redeploying the device to another user within your organization, you do not want to disown it, but you probably will want to reset the unit to factory defaults.

Want more information on how to remove data on mobile devices? Click here! 

More From Our Blog...