June 2026 Summaries

Esper has introduced comprehensive support for Apple TV as a fully managed platform, addressing a longstanding gap where these devices were managed using inadequate tools. While Apple TVs are commonly used in commercial settings for digital signage and other purposes, they have traditionally been managed with repurposed iOS profiles that do not cater to their unique operational needs. Esper's approach includes zero-touch ADE enrollment, Blueprint-based configuration specifically for tvOS, and VPP app management, treating Apple TV deployments as distinct from iOS with their own set of policies. This new support aligns with the company's core principle that dedicated devices require purpose-built management rather than repurposed tools. The move is part of a broader effort to provide a unified management solution for multi-platform fleets, encompassing Android, Windows, iOS, and now tvOS devices. The distinction between Apple Blueprints in Apple Business Manager and Esper Blueprints is crucial, as the latter offers ongoing management, policy enforcement, and device compliance monitoring throughout the device's operational lifetime.

Provisioning dedicated devices with minimal IT involvement across various operating systems presents distinct challenges, with Apple, Android, and Windows offering diverse solutions. While Apple's ADE and Android's GMS streamline first-boot configurations, Android Open Source Project (AOSP) lacks such infrastructure, prompting Esper to develop its Seamless Provisioning solution for AOSP devices. Windows' existing solution, Autopilot, is not suited for dedicated device scenarios without user interaction, leading to manual processes for fleet operators. Addressing this, Esper introduces PPKG-based seamless enrollment for Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC, enabling devices to self-enroll without requiring tenant credentials or IT touch. This method leverages Windows' native Provisioning Package mechanism and avoids embedding sensitive credentials in the PPKG, using serial numbers pre-registered in Esper's console to match devices to the correct tenant and Blueprint automatically. The seamless enrollment process ensures that upon first boot, devices are configured to their desired operational state through Blueprint, a continuous system that maintains device configuration over time, providing a scalable and secure solution for managing dedicated device fleets.

Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) devices, used across various industries, are encountering significant challenges during hardware refreshes due to changes in Android's operating system from version 10 onwards. The core issue arises from a shift in Android's storage and execution policies, which disrupts the traditional file-based management model that these devices rely on for configuration. This model, which involves delivering configuration as a file to a device path, is incompatible with Android's new scoped storage and restricted background execution policies. As a result, configuration processes that previously worked seamlessly are now failing, leading to operational disruptions. The solution lies in transitioning from file-based to policy-based management, which involves declaring the target device state and ensuring continuous reconciliation to achieve it. This transition is crucial for AIDC operators to avoid widespread refresh failures and adapt to the restrictive nature of modern Android systems.

Scala, a prominent digital signage CMS platform, was acquired by the Swedish company Vertiseit for $28 million, signaling a shift towards a SaaS-based, device-agnostic model. This acquisition impacts Scala customers by introducing a product direction they didn't choose, while ActiVia, a QSR-focused CMS platform, remains with Stratacache amid financial instability. Both platforms include device monitoring but lack dedicated device management capabilities, which become crucial during vendor transitions. Esper offers a solution by adding a dedicated device management layer beneath existing signage platforms, maintaining operational continuity without replacing hardware or disrupting content workflows. Customers face three paths: proactively adopting dedicated device infrastructure, passively accepting changes, or deferring decisions, with the latter potentially leading to expensive migrations. The situation underscores the importance of architectural independence in managing digital signage systems, allowing businesses to retain control over their operations despite industry changes.

Esper Airwave is a fully managed over-the-air (OTA) platform designed to address the logistical challenges faced by Android OEMs in delivering firmware updates at scale. It eliminates the need for engineering teams to build and maintain OTA infrastructure, which is often costly and complicated. Airwave provides a comprehensive solution that manages the entire update lifecycle, from package delivery to rollback, ensuring security and compliance by enabling quick deployment of patches, reducing the time from weeks to hours. The platform supports phased rollouts, automatic rollback for failed updates, and offers real-time observability without requiring mobile device management (MDM) enrollment. By simplifying the firmware update process, Esper Airwave allows OEMs to focus on innovation and customer value while maintaining the security, reliability, and control essential for modern device fleets.