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Configure kiosk features directly on a device with EmKioskConfig

Our technical teams recently released a new tool that will make the life of IT guys a lot easier. It lets you configure the kiosk mode directly on a mobile device, without the need of a PC. Users who previously worked with Scan2Stage on a computer will instantly feel familiar: The UI was designed similar to the EmKiosk menu, making the usage as simple as possible.

Getting started

After opening the application on your Android device, the main settings screen will appear. Divided in two sections, it lets you choose settings related to the kiosk mode itself, and everything related to device settings. Kiosk settings include basic layout options or which apps should be hidden, and device settings include Wi-Fi or barcode scanner settings. Thanks to the intuitive UI, every feature can be turned on or off with toggle switches. The setup can be done entirely on a mobile device, which will act as a master device or server, and nearby devices will be the devices to receive the configurations. After you are done, simply tap on SAVE on the bottom of the screen.

Apply settings with Direct Clone

Similar to when setting up devices using the desktop version, all settings will be applied via Direct Clone from the EmKit menu on the device. When creating the backup file, make sure you tick the EmKiosk section as well. In the next step you can set a password (optional) for this backup file. And lastly, open up your Direct Clone server and start the cloning process. Now move over to the client device, and launch Direct Clone there as well (when setting up a device: Press and hold power button, and then tap Direct Clone in the menu, or navigate to EmKit menu, and then tap Direct Clone). Tap on START DIRECT CLONE SERVICE, and the process will start.

Compatibility

EmKioskConfig runs on all Android-based Point Mobile devices as listed below. All upcoming models will be compatible as well. Please note that at this point, EmKioskConfig is not pre-installed yet, and has to be installed manually.

ModelOS version
PM45 (Android 9 only)45.76 and higher
PM85 (Android 9 only)85.26 and higher
PM9090.11 and higher
PM45141.06 and higher
PM3030.02 and higher
PM6767.02 and higher
PM7575.02 and higher

Learn more about the EmKit ?
Not sure how to get EmKioskConfig? Contact us ?

Categories
Software Technology

How to monitor your battery’s health with EmHealthReport

One of the most important things when using enterprise mobile devices on a daily basis is battery life. Technology has come a long way in terms of screens, memory, expandability, and of course functionality, but the more features a device has, the more taxing it becomes for your battery. While most modern devices offer replaceable batteries, big capacities, and advanced power management, it still makes sense to check and monitor the health of your batteries regularly – especially when managing a large fleet of devices. Ultimately, batteries are consumable articles and wear out over time. In this post, we will take a look a closer look on the battery situation on Point Mobile devices.

EmKit on a PM75 mobile computer
EmHealthReport app in the Productivity section of the EmKit

It all starts with EmHealthReport

Our EmKit has been around for a while. Power users have known it since its debut in 2017, and since then it underwent a lot of updates with tons of new features added to it. One of the latest updates concerns the battery: EmHealthReport is a little application in the EmKit that gives you a detailed overview of your battery’s wear level, age, temperature, and more. It is pre-installed on all of our devices running on Android 9 or higher, and there is a standalone application that can be installed optionally for devices with Android or lower. You’ll find the application under EmKit ? EmHealthReport.

EmHealthReport feature list

The following table explains which features are included in EmHealthReport. 

Feature Description

Battery Asset
Information

Battery Manufacturer Date Date when the battery was manufactured
Battery Serial Number Point Mobile battery’s unique serial number

Battery
Health-related
Information

Battery Level Remaining battery capacity expressed as a
percentage of battery power
Battery Age Indicating state of battery age data to
determine when it should be replaced
Battery Voltage Indicating battery voltage as measured at
the time of query
Battery Temperature Indicating battery temperature as measured
at the time of query

eMMC Health-related Information

Pre-EOL Information Indicating status of eMMC
health data
Device life time estimation
type A
Indicating estimated used
percentage of eMMC
Device life time estimation
type B

Additionally, EmHealthReport also indicates the wear-level of both battery and the eMMC module as seen below. 

Battery:

  Status Description

Good

Battery status is good as the number of
battery charging cycles is under 400.

Dismission

Battery is required to replace as the
number of battery charging cycles is above 400.


eMMC:

  Status Description
Normal
eMMC is healthy
Warning 80% of eMMC’s available blocks are in use
Dead 90% of eMMC’s available blocks are in use
Unknown Cannot detect the eMMC information


For further tips on how to prolong your battery life, check out Google’s Android Help Center by clicking the link below.

Learn more on Google’s Android Help Center ?
More info about the EmKit ?


Categories
Software Technology

Setting up your mobile computers with Scan2Stage

Scan2Set application on PM75 computer
Setting up mobile devices doesn’t have to be an arduous process – with the right tools.

If you ever had to set up a large number of mobile devices manually, chances are you ran into a lot of big problems. Not only is it time consuming, but also a constant source of errors. IT administrators have to exactly define each setting and parameter for the device, and then take each and every device to apply those settings. On a large scale, this means hours and hours of repetitive work. Luckily, our EmKit™ contains a very handy tool that solves this problem: Scan2Stage!

What is Scan2Stage? And what is Scan2Set?

Both are applications used to configure and set up Point Mobile devices. In Scan2Stage, the IT admin defines which apps should be visible, if GMS services are required, what time OS updates should be performed, and so on. Once all done, a QR code will be created automatically. This code contains all of those parameters, and when scanned from a Point Mobile device, the device will configure itself to those desired settings. It’s a pretty straight forward process and immensely simplifies the workload.

Difference Scan2Stage and Scan2Set from EmKit

Configurable settings

For a better understanding, we want to give you an overview of the (many) configurable settings. You want to restrict certain apps? No problem! Specific device settings? OS Update schedule? Kiosk mode? Go ahead, it just takes a few clicks.

  1. Schedule
    This section lets you make some kind of task list for your devices. It can be set to a specific time and even a specific order. Let’s use OS updates as an example. Installation during a busy work day is close to impossible, so it makes much more sense to perform updates after the work is done. Scan2Stage lets you choose the specific time and date when tasks should be done.
  2. GMS Package Manager
    GMS stands for Google Managed Services, which basically contain the standard Google apps as we know them: Phone, Message, Contacts, Maps, Youtube, Chrome, or even the Play Store. A lot of companies do not require those apps, so they can be either disabled altogether, or separately.
  3. OS Update
    When we release a new version, you can use this section to perform the update on your fleet. This even works if you are in a closed network.
  4. Device Settings
    All hardware related settings are configured here: Wi-Fi and network, phone, buttons, date & time, screen lock, and more. Each menu contains of more specific instructions to further customize the device.
  5. Scanner Settings
    You might now this menu from the Scanner app in the EmKit. All scanner settings can be determined here, for example how the wedge should handle a barcode, notification sound, various scanner modes, or simply which symbologies should be activated or deactivated.
  6. EmSolution
    In EmSolution, Kiosk settings are managed. A device strictly for work use only should only contain applications that are required for work. In some cases, even the settings app should not be accessible by default, which can be set here, too.

As you can see, there is a lot of possibilities and options with this tool set, and it can take a while to define each and every parameter. Of course, there are sub-menus and a few more menus, so if you are interested in learning more, check out the EmKit manual at the end of this post.

QR code for applying all the settings

Once you are all set, a simple click is left to do: This will generate a QR code on which all of your data is stored. Now, once scanned by a Point Mobile device (either using the physical barcode scanner, or via the camera on devices without a scanner), the entire configuration will be applied on that device. In other words, using this method, all you have to do for setting up a large amount of devices, is simply sending over that generated QR code to the user of the device. Have them scan it – and done!

We created a few videos about the EmKit and its tools a while back, check them out below. These videos are available in English, Korean, German and Russian.


Watch other videos about the EmKit™ on Youtube  ? 
Read the EmKit™ manual ?