The new deployment process for the University's work phones will be implemented for all new phones as of 12 May 2025. The model was piloted in autumn 2024 and spring 2025 in the mobile device management project, the goal of which was to ensure a smoother user experience and improve information security and data protection on the University's mobile devices.
A new operating model for the deployment and management of mobile devices has been planned, tested and piloted in the mobile device management project launched last year. The model will be adopted for all new Android and iOS phones from 12 May 2025.
The deployment of Microsoft Intune is an essential part of the new operating model. Microsoft Intune is an endpoint management solution that enables the University's mobile devices to be managed more systematically across their life cycle, and with which the University will provide centralised support for the secure use of mobile devices, ensure the installation of information security updates on the University's mobile devices and offer the most important work applications pre-installedin connection with deployment.
The centralised management of mobile devices at the University is supported by various legal requirements related to information security, data protection and fixed asset management. The University must keep track of the users and use of mobile devices acquired with public funds. Efforts will also be made to ensure that work-related information is processed in accordance with data protection and information security requirements, including on mobile devices.
What will change after the adoption of the new mobile device deployment process?
- During deployment, the device will automatically connect to the University’s Microsoft Intune mobile device management, to which you log in with the University’s username.
- To make the deployment of phones easier, a set of applications will be pre-installed on them (e.g. Microsoft Authenticator, Microsoft Intune, Outlook, Teams, Zoom, OneDrive and Geteduroam, which is required to establish an eduroam connection).
- Android phones will have two profiles: a work profile and a personal profile. The work profile contains all the pre-installed applications, and you can install more work applications from the University of Helsinki’s own app store. In the personal profile, you can install other applications you need from the Google Play Store. Read more on the instructions: Deployment of an Android mobile device covered by centralised administration (IT Helpdesk website).
- On iOS phones, the pre-installed apps and other apps are in the same view. You can install more apps from the Apple Store. Read more on the instructions: Deployment of an iOS mobile device covered by centralised administration (IT Helpdesk website).
- The deployment of mobile device management sets some technical requirements for devices, which limits the available range of devices to some extent. In addition, some changes will be made to the phone acquisition process. For example, users will pick up their new mobile device in the future from the on-site IT support on campuses. In this regard, the Phones and Phone Services page on Flamma will be updated in accordance with the new process by 12 May 2025.
Based on the feedback received, the new deployment model was seen as being smooth
The new deployment model for mobile devices was piloted in autumn 2024 and early 2025. In addition to the IT Center, 58 University employees from the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and Faculty of Social Sciences, as well as University Services participated in the pilot. All the participants in the pilot were Android users, but the deployment of iOS was also tested during the project.
The pilot feedback survey was taken by 26 pilot participants. The feedback survey included questions about the need for support during the process, the smoothness of the process and the ease of using a separate work and personal profile. Respondents could also provide written feedback.
- Need for support: The majority of feedback providers (70%) did not need external support and handled deployment independently using the instructions. Support was required by 19 % of the respondents. The rest of the respondents handled the deployment without instructions or support.
- The process was considered to be very or quite smooth by 74% of the respondents and fairly difficult by 5%. The rest gave it a neutral rating.
- The use of two separate profiles on Android phones was considered to be very or fairly easy by the majority of respondents (65%), while 5% of the respondents considered it to be difficult.
The instructions received positive comments in the written feedback. We also improved the instructions and added new suggestions to the range of applications based on the feedback received. We aim to continue to develop the range of applications based on future user feedback.
New instructions for deployment of your phone are available on the IT Helpdesk website:
- Deployment of an Android mobile device covered by centralised administration (IT Helpdesk website).
- Deployment of an iOS mobile device covered by centralised administration (IT Helpdesk website).
- Microsoft Defender på mobila Android-enheter som administreras centraliserat (IT Helpdesk website).
If you need support with using your new phone, please contact IT Helpdesk:
- Chat (weekdays 9 AM–3 PM, chatbot 24/7): helsinki.fi/helpdesk
- Tel.: +358 29 41 55555 (weekdays 9 AM–3 PM, local network charge/mobile call charge)
- Email: helpdesk@helsinki.fi