Chrome Device Management Guide with ScreenCloud

Google’s Chrome Enterprise tools is a set of tools available in the Google Admin console that you can use to manage Chromebooks and other Chrome OS devices. Google introduced Chrome Enterprise back in 2017 as a way of offering a secure operating system for users who manage a variety of devices that are given to individual users. It’s most used by schools, businesses, hospitals and so forth and plenty of our ScreenCloud customers find it a great way to keep control of their digital signage systems.

In order to use Google’s Chrome Enterprise tools, you will need to purchase a Chrome subscription license for each Chrome device you would like to manage. There are four Chrome license options, but we recommend either a Chrome Kiosk license or a Chrome Enterprise license. A Chrome Kiosk license will cost you $24 annually per device, while a Chrome Enterprise license will cost you $50 annually per device. To more deeply understand the service and subscription options for Chrome devices, read this help article from Google.

These Chrome device management tools are seriously useful when it comes to digital signage and managing multiple screens, this is because they allow an admin department or one user to have full access over both the settings of the user and of the device.

It also means you can set your screens up in “Kiosk Mode”, making them easier to manage and switch “off” whenever required.

Some other benefits of having a Chrome license and using Google’s Chrome Enterprise tools are:

• More device monitoring and reporting
• The ability to make remote updates
• The ability to reboot your device remotely
• Tools to capture your screen
• A notification when your device is offline
• Ability to exit kiosk mode and use your screen as a workstation

In this guide, we’ll answer questions around what Google’s Chrome device management tools are, how you can use them and how to set it up.

Do you need a Chrome license and Google’s Chrome Enterprise tools to use ScreenCloud?

You can use ScreenCloud digital signage without a Chrome license and Google’s Chrome Enterprise tools, but the ability to boot up ScreenCloud at device restart and to schedule reboots will not be possible.

Which devices are compatible with ScreenCloud and Google’s Chrome Enterprise tools?

• Chromebox
• Chromebook

How do you set up a Chrome device with Chrome Enterprise?

To set up a Chrome device with Chrome Enterprise you will need to:

1) Set up Google’s G Suite using your own domain so you can use Google Admin, with at least 1 user account for administrator purposes

2) Purchase a Chrome license for each Chrome device you will be using in order to manage each device using the Chrome Enterprise features in Google Admin

3) Set up the ScreenCloud player as a kiosk app using the Chrome device management tools

4) Enroll your Chrome devices during which the ScreenCloud app will automatically download and load in kiosk mode on your device.

If you're feeling confused, don't worry, we understand there's a lot to take in here. To help you with these steps, our team has created a step-by-step guide which walks you through how to Set up ScreenCloud in Kiosk Mode on a Chrome Device With a Chrome License.

If you’d like to apply network settings like proxy settings or PAC files, the Chrome device management tools are the perfect place to do this. View this guide to see how to add a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network configuration.

Which settings should you consider when using ScreenCloud and Chrome Enterprise Tools?

Once setup, there are many settings and features in the Chrome Device Management console that will help you manage your digital signage effectively. Three core settings to ensure you have setup include:

1. User data settings

Make sure the User Data is set to “Do not erase all local user data” otherwise when the device reboots it will lose connection to your management console. This option is under Sign-in Settings.

2. Time Zone

You want to make sure that your device is in the correct timezone in the current location otherwise your schedule may not work as it should.

3. Kiosk Device Status Alerting Contact Info

You can enter your email address and phone number to receive alerts of when your device goes offline.

For further questions, please contact support@screen.cloud with details.