About this plugin
iCafe VPP Manager takes much of the labor out of managing Apple’s Volume Purchase Program.
Apple’s VPP process allows schools and businesses to purchase multiple copies of apps at a discount (and tax exempt for schools). Without VPP, users can only pay for the first copy of an app.
Learn more about VPP here
The problem is that Apple’s solution to volume purchases is difficult to manage for large enterprises. Apple allows only one Program Manager account used to create individual Program Facilitator Accounts. These Facilitator accounts can redeem VPP Vouchers and purchase app redemption codes but can’t actually install any apps!
Redemption codes can then be distributed to end users who redeem the codes to install the app. At this point the app becomes the property of the owner of the iTunes account used to redeem the code.
Confused yet?!?!
iCafe VPP Manager is designed to solve many of the problems with Apple’s VPP Program:
- Provide a trackable process for creating accounts
- Track all vouchers and remaining balances
- Allows end users to request app purchases
- Track all requests
- Stores and distributes all redemption codes
- Reduce the program demands on any one person
Providing a single platform for all your VPP transactions is only part of the solution offered by iCafe VPP Manager.
App ownership is also a struggle of many organizations. Many simply give up and allow users to redeem codes under personal iTunes accounts. In some cases this is desirable, but many organizations cannot afford to give away thousands of apps per year.
Apple’s VPP terms allow an organization to maintain ownership of apps provided the redemption codes are redeemed under organization-owned iTunes accounts. While this provides a legal means for maintaining ownership, large organizations will find it difficult to manage.
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The first option requires upkeep of many accounts by one or a few people while the second poses the security concern of sharing the master account credentials among many staff members.
iCafe VPP Manager solves this issue by creating a secure portal for authenticated staff to retrieve app redemption codes and the current enterprise iTunes credentials.
It will also allow you to setup an automated password change schedule. Most organizations change their master iTunes account every four to six hours minimizing the accounts exposer to former employs.
The goal is to take full advantage of the wonderful VPP program while automating much of the process.
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A video demo of what end users experience can be found here
A video explanation of the iCafe Approach to iOS App Management can be found here