configurator tool broken - summary of bugs

I was unable to add web-based MDM management (Meraki) to new iPads using the setup tab. The Wi-fi payload doesn't get added and therefore it can't get online to download the MDM profile.

Adding AD users problem

When adding users to a group from Active Directory, once I reach the bottom of the Configurator window with users (13 in my case), I have to start entering the names manually. Typically, and with prior versions of AC, you simply start typing the users name and the user, or a list of users appear. Now that behavior just stops once I fill the window with users. After that point, any users name must be entered completely manually. Tedious.

here's another one:

Configurator won't delete apps - although I have NOT tested this on multiple ipads.

I have an app [pearson eText] that is hanging on one ipad, so i thought i would just delete and reinstall. Configurator will NOT delete the app.

....and since we have app deletion blocked, that makes my procedure for more tedious than it should be.

OS - Mavericks

iTunes - 11.1.2

Configurator 1.4.2

We have a number of classes in our schools that have iPads. Some have updated to iOS 7 OTA so we have lost supervision. When trying to take back the class the re-supervision of the iOS 7.0.3 iPads went ok. Although we couldn't send the re-supervision profile via Casper Suite, we had to put it up on a website and install it from there.

The problem came when updating iOS 6.1.3 to 7.0.3 - This has worked for the most part, but today a few kid's and a teacher's iPads, when connected to Configurator, went into "Restore Mode". When this happens there is nothing you can do besides restore them. I figured at least the teacher would have her work backed up to iCloud, but no, every picture, video and work in various apps gone. I am so paranoid to hook any iPad up to Configurator for fear of the dreaded "Restore Mode"!

I know this isn't all my fault,but I feel terrible that this happened when I was trying to update it.

We have several teachers that have had iPads for several months. We are just now starting to push out apps from VPP. Is there a way to get configurator to just push out the apps to the iPads without resetting them? Teachers have used teacher funds to purchase apps and have installed them. I do not want to have to update and/or wipe the iPads in order to get the VPP apps installed.

As long as you have the devices supervised you should be able to push the apps without wiping the devices. We do it all the time. The downside is you've got to pull the iPads back in to the Mac that's supervising it. We're also looking into an MDM solution to allow app pushes soon.

Has anyone run into any UI problems with the Configurator app? Vertical scrollbars not working correctly and visually appear to be scrolling sideways?

IMO, for amount of money schools are pouring into Apple coffers, you'd think Apple would be able to provide us with better, more reliable software for managing these devices. By the time this Configurator app matures and has the kinks ironed out, I fear that most of the iPads across our school district will be unsupported and put out to pasture.

From what I've heard, Apple tried to get into the MDM market and now they're outsourcing it to third-party MDMs (AirWatch, etc.). This is why we've seen a shift from codes to tokens. The problem is, we haven't decided on a MDM vendor yet.

We were told that Configurator was the only way to protect enterprise/education devices with iOS 7 from locking out a device with iCloud, find my iPhone and a pin code. If they don't hand over a pin code or iCloud login, your devices are worthless.

Configurator can supervise the devices. I can't wait for this to make it to MDM vendors.