You can distribute apps purchased through the Apple Volume Purchase Program (VPP), by assigning VPP bundles to either the devices or to the users who have enrolled their devices to the zone.
When a bundle is assigned to a user or a device and the associated device syncs with the ZENworks Server, the app license is Consumed from Apple. Subsequently, the user is prompted to confirm the app installation. Based on the user’s response, the app is Installed on the device. The license consumption and installation count is updated on the Apple VPP License Summary page. For details, see Viewing Volume Purchase Program License Summary.
NOTE:If a bundle is assigned to multiple devices, device groups or folders, or multiple users, user groups or folders, then the app licenses are distributed based on the order in which the devices sync with the ZENworks Server.
VPP Bundles can be distributed to users, user groups, or user folders.
If a VPP bundle is assigned to a user for the first time, then as soon as the first device associated with the user syncs with the ZENworks Server, an invitation is sent to the user to join the Apple VPP.
To accept the invitation, users need to sign in on their devices with their personal Apple ID. The Apple ID is registered with the Apple VPP, but remains private and is unknown to ZENworks. As soon as the users agree to the invitation and accept the iTunes Store terms and conditions, they are associated with ZENworks. In the next sync, the app license is consumed from Apple and a message is sent to the device prompting the user to confirm whether to install the app or not. Based on the user’s response, the app is installed on the device.
NOTE:When the user associates with the Apple VPP, these invites are not re-sent to the user for subsequent assignments.
The Apple ID with which the user has associated for the Apple VPP, should be used across all the user’s devices to enable successful installation of VPP apps. Also, it is important that the Apple ID does not change, so that all bundle assignments are successful and all assigned apps are retained on the device. If the user logs into the iTunes account using a different Apple ID, then the apps distributed to the user are revoked.
NOTE:The terms Apple ID and iTunes ID are used interchangeably in ZENworks.
VPP bundles can be distributed to devices, device groups, or device folders.
VPP bundles can be distributed to only those iOS devices that are running on iOS versions 9.0 or newer.
When a bundle is assigned to the device and the device syncs with the ZENworks Server, the server consumes app license for the device from Apple. If the license consumption is successful, the user is prompted to install the app on the device.
To assign a bundle, in ZENworks Control Center, click Bundles (in the left navigation pane). Select the relevant folder within which the VPP bundles reside.
For more information on assigning bundles, see Assigning an iOS Bundle.
If at any point in time bundle assignment or distribution fails, then you need to check the bundle Deployment Status to identify the reason for failure. For details, see Viewing Bundle Information. Bundle distribution might fail due to the following reasons:
A VPP bundle is assigned to a device with iOS version prior to 9.0. Apple supports device assignments on iOS versions 9.0 or newer.
A VPP bundle is assigned to a user and the invite to associate with the Apple VPP is not accepted by the user.
A VPP bundle is assigned to a user and the Apple ID on the user’s device is different from the Apple ID that the user has used to associate with the Apple VPP.
The app is not compatible with the device.
Deficit in the number of licenses.
The Apple VPP subscription is disabled or deleted.
The VPP token ownership has changed and is being used by another MDM solution.
Apple is unable to validate the iTunes Store ID of the specific app.
The app has discontinued in the iTunes Store.