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About Self Service Library Items

Self Service Library Items provide a centralized way to distribute applications, scripts, and resources to users across different Apple platforms. This system allows administrators to make various library items available through the Self Service app, giving users on-demand access to approved software and tools.

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How It Works

Self Service Library Items work by configuring existing library items to appear in the Self Service app interface. Users can browse, search, and install available items on-demand, providing flexibility while maintaining security and compliance. Different library item types are available on different platforms, with macOS supporting the widest range of options.

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Available Library Items

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macOS Library Items

The following library items can be made available to users via Self Service in macOS:

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iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS Library Items

In iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, the following library items can be made available through Self Service:

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Enabling Self Service for Library Items

Once you have Self Service settings configured in the Iru Endpoint web app (Settings > Self Service), you can enable individual library items to appear in the Self Service app for your users. In the library item, the Self Service options and customizations will be displayed.
1

Choose Installation Method

In the Installation pop-up menu, choose either Install on-demand in Self Service or Install and continuously enforce.
2

Select Category

Choose an available category in the Category menu.
3

Set Recommendation Status

Select Recommended if you want this item to appear in the Recommended section of the Self Service app.
4

Customize Appearance

Click the Edit button to customize the appearance of the item in the Self Service app.

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Customizing a Library Item

You can customize a library item for Self Service by clicking the Edit button on the item tile in the Customization section. In the Self Service Customization details pane, the following options are available.
1

Set Custom Name

Enter a custom name in the Name field. The name will be prefilled from the App Store listing, Auto App item, or library item details.
2

Add Short Description

Enter a short description. This entry will be prefilled from the App Store or Auto App listing.
3

Choose Category

Choose an available category from the Category menu.
4

Set Recommendation

Select Recommended if you want the item to appear in the Recommended section of the Self Service app.
5

Add Long Description

Enter a long description. This entry will be prefilled from the App Store or will contain the description from the Auto App item.
6

Configure Description Requirement

Select Require users to read the description before installing if you want to ensure that users are presented with that information before proceeding with the installation of the item.

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App Store Apps (Apps and Books)

App Store apps may be offered through Self Service in macOS, iOS, iPadOS, visionOS.
  • When an App Store app’s Installation option is set to Install and Continuously Enforce, you can still optionally show this item in Self Service. This may be useful if users need to try reinstalling the app for any reason.
  • When an App Store app’s Installation option is set to Install on-demand from Self Service, the app will not be installed until the user installs the application from Self Service.
    • When Installing via Self Service, the latest version of the app will be installed.
    • Iru Endpoint will automatically take over management of licensed applications that are not from the App Store if set to Install on-demand from Self Service, as long as the bundle ID of the existing application matches that of the Apps and Books version. Your global or per-app update settings will be respected.
When assigning an App Store app to a Blueprint and setting it to Install on-demand from Self Service, Iru Endpoint will not take over management if the end user previously installed the app. The app will be considered managed when the user initializes an installation through Self Service. Until completed, Iru Endpoint will not proceed to update the App Store app locally regardless of the global Apps & Books setting defined in Iru Endpoint’s Settings.

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Auto Apps

Auto Apps can be offered through Self Service in macOS only.
  • When an Auto App’s Installation option is set to Continuously Enforce, you can still optionally show this item in Self Service. This may be useful if users need reinstall the application for any reason.
  • When an Auto App’s Installation option is set to Install on-demand from Self Service, the app will not be installed until the user installs the application from Self Service.
    • When installing from Self Service, the latest version of the app will be installed.
    • If you configure version enforcement in the Updates section, the Auto App will be updated if the App is currently installed, either via Self Service or other means (such as if the user downloads it manually).

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Bookmarks

Bookmarks may be offered through Self Service in macOS, iOS, iPadOS, visionOS. Use bookmarks, which you configure in one or more Bookmarks Library Items, to give your users links to the resources they need at work via Iru Endpoint’s Self Service app. When combined with the apps and scripts in Self Service, you can make your users more productive and improve your security posture by having Self Service be the one place they go for approved apps, scripts, and links to resources.

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Custom Apps

Custom Apps may be offered through Self Service in macOS only.
  • When a custom app’s Installation option is set to Install and continuously enforce or Install once per device, you can still optionally show the custom app in Self Service. This may be useful if users need to try reinstalling the software.
  • When a custom app’s Installation option is set to Install on-demand from Self Service, the app will not be installed until the user installs the application from Self Service.
  • When a custom app is set to Restart after successful install and installed via Self Service**,** end users will be given a 5 minute countdown before a restart occurs instead of the 30 minute countdown when run in the background by the Kandji Agent.

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Custom Printers

Custom Printers may be offered through Self Service in macOS only.
  • When a custom printer’s Installation option is set to Install printer and continuously enforce or Install printer once per device, you can still optionally show the printer in Self Service. This may be useful if users need to reinstall the printer for any reason.
  • When a custom printer’s Installation option is set to Install on-demand from Self Service, the printer will not be installed until the user installs the printer from Self Service.

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Custom Scripts

Custom Scripts may be offered through Self Service in macOS only.
  • When a custom script’s Execution Frequency option is set to Install once per device, you can still optionally show this item in Self Service. This may be useful if users need to try to rerun the script for any reason.
  • When a custom script’s Execution Frequency option is set to Install on-demand from Self Service, the app will not be installed until the user installs the application from Self Service.
  • When a custom script is set to Restart after successful execution and run via Self Service**,** end users will be given a 5 minute countdown before a restart occurs instead of the 30 minute countdown when run in the background by the Kandji Agent.

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Managed OS

Managed OS may offer major macOS upgrades through Self Service for macOS only.
  • When a Managed OS library item’s Installation option is set to Continuously Enforce, you can not show this item in Self Service.
  • When a Managed OS library item’s Installation option is set to Install on-demand from Self Service, major macOS versions will not be enforced per the Updates configuration.
    • When upgrading via Self Service, the latest version of the major macOS version will be installed.
    • When set to Install on-demand from Self Service, the Managed OS item will be displayed in Self Service only when the user’s Mac is on a previous major macOS version.

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Considerations

  • Platform Compatibility: Different library item types are available on different platforms - macOS supports the widest range, while iOS/iPadOS/visionOS support App Store apps and bookmarks only
  • Installation Methods: Choose between “Install on-demand” for user-initiated installations or “Install and continuously enforce” for automatic deployment
  • Category Organization: Organize library items into logical categories to help users find what they need quickly
  • Recommendation Strategy: Use the “Recommended” setting strategically to highlight important or frequently used items
  • Customization Options: Take advantage of customization features like custom names, descriptions, and icons to improve user experience
  • Description Requirements: Consider requiring users to read descriptions before installation for critical software or scripts
  • Version Management: Self Service installations always use the latest version, which may differ from continuously enforced items
  • Management Takeover: Iru Endpoint can automatically take over management of existing applications when installed via Self Service
  • Restart Behavior: Self Service installations provide shorter restart countdowns (5 minutes vs 30 minutes) for better user experience
  • User Training: Provide guidance to users about how to access and use Self Service effectively
  • Security Posture: Use Self Service as a centralized location for approved applications and resources to improve security
  • Update Management: Be aware that Self Service installations may not follow the same update schedules as continuously enforced items
  • Testing and Validation: Test Self Service items thoroughly before making them available to users
  • Documentation: Provide clear descriptions and instructions for complex items like scripts and custom applications