Blueprints is a powerful capability that makes it easier to manage multiple devices at once. Instead of manually configuring each device individually, blueprints allow you to create a complete set of management rules once and then apply them to many devices simultaneously. The system uses declarative device management, which enables devices to automatically check their current state against your blueprint requirements and make necessary adjustments on their own. This reduces the manual work for administrators and ensures devices stay compliant with your organization's policies.
You have two options when creating blueprints, depending on your needs and experience level:
- Quick start templates
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The Quick start tab provides popular, predefined templates that you can configure.
For example, you can use the Set passcode policies template to create a blueprint that contains passcode policy settings. Then, you can deploy the blueprint to computers and mobile devices in a smart group or static group at the same time.
- Blueprint builder
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The blueprint builder allows you to create more complex blueprints by selecting various components from a component library. You can organize components into component blocks and configure the settings for each component. Each block can have its own activation condition, which controls when the components in that block activate on a device.
For example, you can create a blueprint to manage the bookmarks in Safari, ensuring that all targeted devices contain the same set of Safari bookmarks. In the same blueprint, you can also include a configuration profile payload. You can organize these components into separate blocks to activate under different conditions. For more information, see Scope and Activation Conditions in Blueprints.
When you deploy a blueprint, the system creates the necessary configuration objects and sends instructions to your target devices. The devices then download and apply these configurations automatically, with changes taking effect immediately. This streamlined process ensures consistent management across all your devices while reducing the time and effort required for manual configuration.