Zebra StageNow 5.0 Release Notes – September 2020
Highlights
- Retrieve builds and updates from within StageNow
- Support for MX 10.2 features
Device Support
Supports all Zebra devices running Android
New features in StageNow 5.0
LifeGuard Updates and Smart Profiles
- Search for and download device builds and LifeGuard patches from within StageNow (supported for devices running Android 8.1 (Oreo), Android 10 and later)
- New Smart Profiles feature automatically calculates all required setting types and creates all necessary profile steps for upgrading (or downgrading) a device OS to/from any standard released version (requires MX 8.1 or later on device)
MX 10.2 support: integration with latest MX version adds the following major enhancements:
Clock Manager new features:
- Allows to specify date and time in local or Universal coordinate system
PowerKey Manager new features:
- Configure touch mode options
KeyMapping manager new features:
- Additional key codes support
Touch Manager new features:
- New devices are available to select from
AudioVolumeUI Manager
- Control Audible keypad tone
Wi-fi CSP new features:
- Configure Fine Timing Measurement options and additional encryption options
DeviceCentral Manager:
- Allow enable/disable Smart Leash features
- Configure Smart Leash notification settings
Beacon Manger (new CSP) features:
- Control and configure Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon for locating lost devices
Intent CSP new features:
- Configure device rear button as "Alert" button
MX 9.4 Support and Features
Note: MX 9.4 support for Access Manager's Permission Access Action:
- To bring in AccessMgr changes for legacy devices, MX 9.4 has been introduced to:
Allow EMM admins to auto-grant permissions to any application while preventing the permissions pop-up to appear on device. Administrators can designate:
- An entire CSP as Protected
- A specific Function Group as Protected
StageNow MX 9.4 features work only on devices running with MX 9.4; it is not backward compatible with MX 9.3 or 9.2. MX 9.4 is backward-compatible only with MX 9.1 and previous MX versions.
Trusted Barcode Staging is not supported with MX 9.4.
MX 9.4 Feature set is equivalent to MX 9.1 features with enhanced AccessMgr changes only.
Resolved Issues
- Editing of Profiles created using StageNow wizards has been fixed (Issue was seen only in StageNow 4.3 version)
- Dynamic Profile accepts '&' character in Input .csv file while generating barcodes dynamically
- StageNow can now be used on workstations with users other than the "Admin"
Note: The Trusted Staging feature is not available for non-admin users.
Intent manager (in MX) now supports EMM enrollment using Google's CloudDPC client.
Usage Notes
The following versions of StageNow can be upgraded to StageNow v5.0:
- StageNow v4.3
- StageNow v4.2
Known Issues
- StageNow device client does NOT support secondary users when using Android multi-user mode
- StageNow does NOT support Android split-screen mode
- DataWedgeMgr in StageNow tool with MX 9.4 is not compatible with devices running with MX 9.4
- Screen flickering before an Enterprise Reset has been observed on Android Oreo devices when the reset is performed using a StageNow barcode
- Dynamic Staging functionality is available only to the Staging Administrator; Dynamic Staging profiles published to the Staging Operator might not work as expected
- Device reboot is sometimes executed before applying configuration settings if the reboot setting is placed in the deployment section of a Profile. TO REMEDY: Do not add reboot settings using the assisted Wizard, use Xpert mode to construct the same use-case scenario with the reboot setting or use Xpert mode to reboot the device.
- .bin files generated from a Staging profile sometimes do not work on the device. TO REMEDY: Generate new .bin file from same profile
- Wi-Fi Hotspot staging feature is NOT supported on workstations running Windows 10
- If StageNow does not run on some Windows instances, make sure to "Run as Administrator"
- Check for updates on startup (AWS/auto tool Updates) has been stopped from this release onwards; use the latest StageNow tool from Zebra support portal.
- CSP Library:
- Can be used for importing plug-in CSPs with their features displayed alongside other of all MX versions
- Error sometimes occur when deleting an .apk file imported to the CSP Library as a plug-in CSP. TO REMEDY: Export all profiles, delete the StageNow DB and re-import all profiles. (StageNow DB is found at the %APPDATA% location)
Important Links
StageNow Installation and Setup
Note:
- For Chinese-language version, download an Adobe Acrobat reader that supports the desired language variant and generate the staging barcodes from a Staging Profile.
- StageNow upgrade/migration is supported from the last two release versions to the present.
The StageNow release consists of the following deliverables:
| Deliverable | Description |
|---|---|
| staging_solution_signed.exe | StageNow installer |
| StagingInstallGuide.pdf | StageNow installation guide |
Note: The MX features supported on a particular device depend on the installed version of Android, MX and OSX. To determine supported features, use the drop-downs in the MX Feature Matrix SmartDocs bar.
About StageNow
StageNow is Zebra Technologies' next generation staging solution for Zebra Android Mobile Devices. Staging is top of mind for our customers and partners as it is the initial process by which devices are taken out of the box and prepared for production use. Staging enterprise mobile devices can be done manually which is error prone and time consuming. Custom solutions are also used but are often not supported or forward compatible with newer devices. Zebra Technologies' Tier 1 MDM products can also be used to stage and manage Mobile Devices; however, these powerful tools come with a price tag. StageNow is not only free of charge but also helps eliminate deployment barriers that add additional IT complexity, time, and costs.
StageNow supports features such as support for software update, exporting profiles for MDM, enrolling for MDM, seamless upgrade from older versions to latest. Connection of the device to network, configuration of device settings and security, performing OS Updates, Install and Launch Applications, wipe and reset device, or enroll MDM by simply creating and Scanning Staging barcodes, or Audio, NFC Tags.
The application can be downloaded for free and installed on any Windows 7/10 professional PC with no pre-requisite software -- no need to purchase, locate, license.
