Android TV and Google TV are becoming more and more popular with each passing day. Android TV-powered Set-top Boxes (STBs) are also becoming quite common in the TV Operator industry, going so far as to actually call it a trend. It reduces the time-to-market, and offers users brand new streaming services, with virtually no integration efforts.
In this article, we are going to break down how an Android Device Management Solution, or MDM Solution, can help you in this particular segment.
Android or AOSP devices
A good Android Management Solution must be able to deliver its features on both AOSP and Android TV/Google TV certified devices. Not only relying on Google services for its operation but, at the same time, taking advantage of all that Google has to offer on their certified devices. So, whether you use AOSP STBs or Android TV/Google TV Certified ones, the Android Management Solution must work on both.
Device clustering and configuration
Being able to group devices based on specific properties is key, especially when you may need to apply different settings or restrictions based on clusters.
This can be relevant for the following cases:
- Cluster devices by location – for big, tier 1, TV Operators that operate on multiple countries/regions;
- Cluster devices by make or model – for TV Operators with multiple types of Android devices, which can have specific hardware/firmware and app specifications;
- Cluster devices by business function;
Device app management and restrictions
Having full control of all apps running on each device is key, so a good Android Device Management Solution should allow:
- App install/update independent of Play Store distribution
- App install/update based on cluster rules
- App install/usage blacklist/whitelist based on cluster rules
- App install/update only during maintenance windows to avoid user experience disruption
- Device lock/unlock based on predefined rules
This gives you full control and the ability to prepare use cases like:
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- One ROM fits all
- Having devices which can be deployed on different regions, or business conditions, sharing a single ROM, independent from the apps each one will actually use.
- One ROM fits all
- App updates
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- Update apps as key as custom launchers, or service providing apps, in a scheduled and automated way, without the need to push entire firmware/ROM updates. The Android Management solution should allow you to set maintenance windows for these updates.
The Android Management Solution should also offer integration points with your existing systems, in order to automate the above use cases.
Device OTA updates
Having the ability to push OTA system updates to your Android devices is fundamental. A good Android Device Management solution must allow you to decide maintenance windows, pre-schedule updates and generate forms of whitelist and blacklist, so only specific devices get updated. The solution must also be able to cover both full and incremental updates.
Device metrics and analytics
Use device metrics and analytics to track faulty devices, or even understand the impact of each app on your devices. A good Android Device Management Solution must allow you to check on the device’s data such as:
- Most used apps
- Most installed apps
- Device CPU, RAM, storage usage
- Device connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- Ethernet
- Mobile
- Bluetooth devices
- Device security status
- DRM
- Root
- HDCP
- Device usage and standby periods
Based on the above data you’ll be able to generate reports and trigger alarms. We must also respect the latest privacy policies, and therefore, the Android Device Management solution should allow you to define which data to collect, and if the guest/patient should give consent to it.
Device support
As the last essential feature, one of the most important in fact, we must have remote device support.
The Android Device Management Solution should offer a UI component for a Help/Support app. This way the user can easily access information and contact support, allowing for mechanisms to quickly allow the support technician to understand the device through troubleshooting.
A good Android Device Management Solution should be able to integrate with your current CRM systems, allowing you easy access to a given device, while at the same time responding to a client support request. In a similar way, the Android Device Management Solution has to provide the client with a way to easily start a remote support request. Remote access to the device should allow for actions such as:
- Install/remove apps
- Reboot device
- Force update device
- Get logs from device
- Lock/unlock device
Once again, privacy policies must be respected and users must have the option to give consent before allowing remote access. The same goes for all remote actions, which should be logged for future audits.
Once again, privacy policies must be respected and users must have the option to give consent before remote access, the same for all remote actions, which should be logged for future audits.
For any of these use cases, WeBoxControl has you covered. Designed by WeTek to be an efficient tool in the video distribution industry, it has grown to cater to various segments with proven results. It not only does all of the above mentioned, but it also focuses on results for different business models and operational structures. WeBoxControl helps reduce operational costs while creating a better experience for all of those using the devices it manages.
