Smart Profiles

StageNow 5.14

Overview

StageNow 5.0 (and later) supports Smart Profiles, which automatically determine the necessary Profile steps for updating the OS on one or more devices. StageNow also now integrates with the LifeGuard database of updates, which removes the need for administrators to manually identify the OS and LifeGuard image(s) required for upgrade operation(s).

Requirements

  • StageNow 5.0 (or later) installed on a Windows PC
  • Android 10.x (or later) on target device(s)
  • MX 10.x (or later) on target device(s)
  • Login credentials for Zebra.com
  • An active Zebra OneCare contract

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • Android 7 and Android 8 are no longer supported by Smart profile.* The StageNow Smart Profile feature works with Android 10.x and newer versions only.
  • Download of .bin files from Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers is NOT supported for deployment of Smart Profiles.
  • If a target device is downgraded to MX 8.0 or earlier and an upgrade is later required, the upgrade Profile must be created using manual staging methods.
  • Internet Explorer Users: Changes in the SSO capabilities of IE prevent the required connection between StageNow and the Zebra LifeGuard update server. To correct the issue, perform the steps below on the administrator workstation(s).
    1. Download the patch file (SN_IE_BrowserEmulation.zip) and double-click on it to extract its contents.
    2. Open the resulting folder (SN_IE_BrowserEmulation) and launch a Windows command prompt from within this location.
    3. Run the following command from the command line:

    REG IMPORT SN_IE_BrowserEmulation.reg

Connection to the LifeGuard update server should now function properly.

* For target OSes not supported by Smart Profile, device upgrades and downgrades are still supported through the LifeGuard Update process, remotely using a compatible EMM system, and by manually "sideloading" and applying the desired OS directly to the device. The process also can be completed manually using StageNow and Power Manager or the OS Update Wizard, both of which require the resulting barcode to be scanned using the target device itself.

Working with Smart Profiles

I. Select LifeGuard Updates(s)

Before creating a Smart Profile, at least one LifeGuard device image must be selected from the "Browse LifeGuard Images" page. If LifeGuard images have already been selected, skip to Section II.

To select LifeGuard image(s):

  1. From the " Home" screen, click "My LifeGuard Updates" in the left-hand pane. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  2. Click the "Browse for LifeGuard Updates" button at the top of the screen.
    image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  3. If the workstation is already logged into the LifeGuard update system, Skip to Step 7.
    A login screen similar to the image below appears. Enter Zebra.com login credentials.
    Note: If a timeout occurs, click the "Try Again" button (not shown) to return to the login screen: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  4. Click "confirm" to continue. DO NOT CHANGE THE ACTIVATION CODE: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  5. Click "Allow" to load the LifeGuard update database: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  6. Wait a few moments for LifeGuard updates to load.
    IMPORTANT: Do NOT cancel this operation or data corruption could result. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  7. To select the desired LifeGuard updates(s) to work with:
        a. Check the required boxes to filter search results.
        b. Click the "Show Results" button to display the filtered list.
        c. Click the "plus" icon to display image in "My LifeGuard Updates" list.
    When the image list appears as desired, proceed to Section II.
    NOTE: The Smart Profile feature displays Android 8.x, 10.x and newer versions only. image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

Functions of LifeGuard Updates Page

Revoke button logs out of the current Zebra.com account. To continue creating a Smart Profile after pressing, repeat Steps 3, 4 and 5 above.

Search Build Number allows for loading of a specific build version.

Clear Selection removes all selected filters.

Refresh reloads the available build images from the LifeGuard database. A "grayed-out" button indicates that StageNow already contains the latest build data.

Release notes downloads that build's current release notes .pdf file for off-line reference.

When desired build files are downloaded, proceed to the next section.

II. Create a Smart Profile

When creating a Smart Profile, StageNow examines the selected LifeGuard update and calculates and creates all the Profile steps necessary to deploy the update to the target device(s). Also see Notes section below for important information.

When upgrading to Android 13 from Zebra SDM660-platform devices, a message is displayed warning of possible data loss: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

Learn more about migrating to Android 13 from Zebra SDM660-platform devices.

To create a Smart Profile:

  1. Click "My LifeGuard Updates" in the left-hand pane of the StageNow " Home" screen:
    image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  2. Click the cloud icon(s) of the desired update(s) to begin download(s). NOTE: If the desired file is already downloaded (indicated by a "check mark" in the image files column), skip to the next step.
    IMPORTANT: Exiting the download screen cancels all current downloads.
    image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  3. After a file has been downloaded, click the Plus (+) symbol to create a new Smart Profile:
    image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  4. Enter a name for the Smart Profile. Then click the "Start" button: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  5. If a network is required, click "Yes" to configure network settings over which to download update(s) to the device(s).
    Enter network settings on subsequent screens (not shown).
    To vary network settings by location, see Dynamic Staging.
    image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  6. Click "Continue" to create steps for downloading the build batch file: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  7. Click "Continue" to create steps for executing the build batch file: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  8. On Review screen, click "View" to see the steps created above (if desired).
    Click "Complete Profiles" to proceed: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  9. Select the desired publishing medium and click the "Test" or "Publish" button:
  • Barcode generates one or more barcodes that execute the Smart Profile on any device that scans it.
  • NFC/SD/USB generates a .bin file to be consumed on devices by the StageNow app.
    More about publishing StageNow Profiles
    image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

10. Select the desired options to test or publish the Smart Profile: image Click image to enlarge; ESC to exit.

Smart Profile creation is complete. After testing, deploy published staging media as required.

Notes

  • Zebra strongly recommends testing ALL Profiles before deployment in production environments.
  • StageNow supports multiple simultaneous downloads from the "My LifeGuard Updates" screen only while the screen is visible.
  • Exiting the My LifeGuard Updates screen cancels all downloads in progress.
  • To restart an interrupted download, quit and relaunch StageNow. Then restart the download.
  • DO NOT use a VPN when attaching to the LifeGuard Updates database; it could result in unpredictable behavior.