How to use File Store – Secure Way to Share and Distribute Files on Mobile Devices with SureMDM

Apart from offering extended mobile device management (MDM) features, SureMDM now offers a secure way to share and distribute enterprise files on Android and iOS devices through the File Store option. This new option allows IT administrators to create a document library and share documents like images, videos, and other files across enrolled Android and iOS devices.

To share a file using the File Store option in SureMDM, the following three steps have to be performed:

• Upload the file to the File Store.
• Create a File Sharing Policy profile.
• Apply the created profile to the desired devices.

Purpose

The purpose of this knowledge article is to provide a guide on how to use the File Store in a secure way to share and distribute files on mobile devices with SureMDM.

Prerequisites

NA

Steps

Step 1: To upload the files to File Store

1. Login to the SureMDM Web Console.

2. On SureMDM Home,  and click File Store.

3. On the File Store screen, click New Folder to create a new folder.

4. Once the folder is created, click and highlight the folder.

5. Next, click Upload files, browse, and upload the desired file(s).

6. On successful upload, you will see the document listed under the folder.

Step 2: To create a File Sharing Policy profile

1. On SureMDM Home, click Profiles.

2. On the Profiles screen, select the desired platform (Android or iOS) and click Add.

3. On the Work Profile screen, click the File Sharing Policy tab.

4. Give a name to the profile and click Configure.

5. On the File Sharing Policy screen, configure the required file synchronization option:

2.a) Cloud to Device Sync (Android)

Cloud to Device Sync allows files stored in the cloud/file store to be downloaded to a managed device.

Configuration

1. Navigate to the File Sharing Policy configuration.
2. Select Cloud to Device Sync.
3. Under Set Download Path, specify the Download Path where files should be downloaded on the device.
4. Configure the required file permissions:
   • Allow File Delete – Grant or Deny permission to delete downloaded files.
   • Allow File Upload – Grant or Deny permission to upload files.
5. Configure the required access options:
   • Ignore Home Folder – When enabled, the Home folder will not be displayed on device side in SureMDM file store
   • Ignore Shared Folder – When enabled, the Shared folder will not be displayed on device side in SureMDM file store
6. Next, click Add to launch the File Store.
7. Select the desired files or documents and click Add to List.
8. After adding, click Done to go back to the configuration screen.
9. Configure Auto Download if automatic downloading is required.
10. Save the configuration.

Note: The availability of certain options depends on the supported SureMDM Agent version shown in the File Sharing Policy configuration.

2.b) Device to Cloud Sync (Android)

Device to Cloud Sync allows files from a managed device to be synchronized to the cloud/file store. (Supported from Android SureMDM Agent version 29.64.00 and later)

Note: When enabling Device-to-Cloud Sync, a confirmation prompt appears informing you that files from managed devices will be uploaded to your SureMDM storage account and will consume the available storage capacity. Click Continue to proceed with enabling the sync.

Configuration

1. Navigate to the File Sharing Policy configuration.
2. Enable Device to Cloud Sync.
3. Click Add to create a File Sync Configuration.

4. Configure the following fields:
   • Device source path – Specify the location on the device from which files should be synchronized.
   • File Store Destination Path – Specify the destination in the cloud/file store. The destination can be selected using the available path options.
   • Pre-Sync Execution Script – Specify a script to run before synchronization, if required.
   • Post-Sync Execution Script – Specify a script to run after synchronization, if required.
   • Script Execution – Choose whether the script should execute always or only when files are transferred. 
   • Schedule Sync – Select the synchronization frequency. The screen supports a periodic schedule, with the interval specified in minutes.
5. Click Add to save the File Sync Configuration.
   

Data Upload Preferences

Configure the upload settings according to the required data-transfer policy:

• Data Upload Preference – Wi-Fi Only/ Any Network/ Mobile Data Only
• Maximum file length to be uploaded – Specify the maximum file size allowed for upload.
• Data Transfer Limit – Configure the maximum limit for data transfer during the sync process.

6. Save the File Sharing Policy after completing the configuration.

Step 3:  To apply the created profile on desired devices

1. On SureMDM Home, select the device or group.

2. Click Apply from the Quick Action Toolbar.

3. On the Apply Job to Device prompt, select the File Sharing Policy job and click Apply.

Note: You can use the Configure Schedule Time option to schedule the job to be applied on a specific day and time.

Conclusion

On successful completion, the Android device will have a new app named SureMDM File Store, which will list the shared file for the user to download. For iOS devices, SureMDM Agent will have an extra tab labeled EFSS, which lists the shared file for download.

Apart from offering a secure and easy way to share enterprise files on BYOD and dedicated devices (formerly called COSU or corporate-owned single-use), SureMDM also allows IT administrators to create their own enterprise app store for easy and streamlined application distribution. Click here to read more.

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