Syncing multiple iPads to one computer

[brad wright]

Hello. This question has been partially addressed but if somebody with experience doing this can give a more detailed description of the process I would appreciate it. If I buy 20 iPads for our school how do I buy apps and sync the apps to the iPads? I know that apple has a volume licensing program now so I assume that I would buy 20 licenses for a particular app. Would I then be able to download the app in iTunes and sync it to each individual iPad one by one? Would I be able to connect multiple iPads at the same time through a USB hub and sync them all at once to the same computer? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Bettye Anne Older]

John Scates said:

I am currently using 10 ipads in my classroom and have been syncing them from one MacBook with no problems. I am using a 10 port USB hub. Once they have been initially synced, all I need to do is plug them all in, turn them on, and itunes usually does the rest. I have heard that this will work with 20, but I only have ten. I hope this helps.
John

John, are you using one iTunes account for your 10 iPADs and purchasing apps just one time or  are you using the volume licensing?  Thanks!

[Mary Bless]

Apple has webinars that explain the Volume Purchasing process

https://edseminars.apple.com/series/4G2Y0-o52PX

Daily webinars for ios devices:
https://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/index.php

 

Our school just recently got a donation of iPads for our students so I'm in the middle of figuring out all this stuff as well.  Good luck!

[Robert Grimes]

I used a grant to purchase an iPad cart that syncs up to 30 iPad at a time.  I established an iTunes account for the cart and all the iPad sync and update when I turn on the computer dedicated to the cart.  I wish I could do this with my laptop carts, sure would make things easy.  

[Jennifer Nolan Jackson]

Apple's Volume Purchasing is incredibly important. It not only gives you a 50% on most apps but your treasurer can provide better purchasing details to state auditors. Auditors hate iTunes cards because you can't track spending.

Once the iPads are on iOS5, have the kids add their own email info into the settings. You should never have to sync again if you have automatic downloads turned on. If an app doesn't sync, go into App Store, choose Purchased, then Not on this iPad.

Another option is to use the iPhone Configuration Tool (free) or a purchased management system like Casper. I add student email info, set wifi, and many other admin controls using iPhone config. I don't set staff email addresses that way because our staff paswords must be updated every few months and it is a pain for me to update the profile.

[Bettye Anne Older]

Our school system's CFO is having a difficult time with the iTunes card purchases, even though we receive and submit iTunes' receipts. With Apple's Volume Purchasing, will app purchases be "tax exempt" for schools (also an issue for our CFO)? Thanks for any assistance provided!