Remote activation of Josys Browser Extension using Google Admin Console

The Josys Browser Extension enables organizations to gain valuable insights into SaaS application usage. Josys allows seamless activation of the browser extension by allowing remote installation and activation of the browser extension on the end user's browser using the Google Admin Console. This enables monitoring the saas application usage and detecting Shadow IT. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to activate the Josys browser extension on any browser (Google Chrome/Microsoft Edge) and validate the activation using Google Admin Console.

Prerequisites

• The email address for the default Chrome profile must match the email address registered for the member in Josys.
• Chrome sync settings must be enabled.
• During installation, the browser will access https://clients2.google.com/*, so please ensure it is not blocked at the network level.

The deployment includes the following two steps:

1. Pushing the browser extension

2. Activating and validating the browser extension on your browser

1. Pushing the browser extension

Step 1: Log in to Google Admin Console using an admin account. Navigate to Devices and select Chrome. Click on Apps & Extensions and select Users & Browsers.

Step 2: Select your organization unit and click the Plus icon on the right. Select the Chrome icon.

Step 3: Enter the Josys browser extension ID (moaklgcgokbgplldonjkoochhlefkbjf) and press Enter. Click Select.

Step 4: Click Select to select the Josys browser extension.

Step 5: Click Allow Install.

Step 6: Select an Installation Policy according to your requirements and other permissions:

• Force install: Silently installs the extension on the end user's Chrome profile.
• Force install + pin to browser toolbar:  Silently install the extension and pin it to the toolbar. This method is preferred by the IT Admin.

Step 7: After selecting the Installation Policy, scroll down to locate the Policy for extensions section. Here, you have to enter the JSON code to initiate the activation. 

For the activation, the organization key is mandatory. Refer to section 1 of the Remote activation of Josys Browser Extension to learn how to locate your organization key. 

Activating using the Chrome/Edge user's profile

When you choose this option, provide only the organization key. The user's profile is fetched from the browser. In the Policy for extensions section, enter the following JSON value. Replace the "org_key" with your organization key. 

{
  "OrganizationKey": {
    "Value": "org_key"
  }
}

For example, if "abccompany" is your organization key, enter the following JSON:

{

  "OrganizationKey": {

    "Value": "abccompany"

  }

}

2. Validating browser extension activation

After activating the browser extension, follow these steps to validate that the activation is successful.

Step 1: Log in to Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on your targeted device using an admin account.

Step 2: Open your browser, type <browsername>://extensions into your browser URL, and press Enter. 

For example, for Google Chrome, type "chrome://extensions" or enter <browsername>://extensions (for Microsoft Edge) in the URL bar and press Enter.

Step 3: Verify if the extension is listed in the extension list.

By following the above-mentioned steps, you can deploy, activate, and validate the Josys browser extension on your organization's Google Chrome/Microsoft Edge browsers.

When Extension Policies Conflict

If there is a conflict in extension policies, you may not be able to install the Josys Browser Extension.

How to check for conflict?

Step 1: Enter "chrome://policy" in the address bar of the Chrome browser you want to install the extension in and open the policy screen. 

Step 2: Check for conflict warning in the ExtensionInstallForcelist section.

How to Resolve Conflict?

Prerequisites:

• Chrome Enterprise Core(Free) subscription is required
  
  

Step 1: Register the target browser in the Google Admin console. Learn about the steps in Registering a Cloud-Managed Chrome Browser. After registration is complete, check that the target device name is displayed in Managed browsers under the Chrome browser.

Step 2: Now, select Settings under the Chrome browser to update your Chrome policy settings. Select the organizational unit for which you want to update the settings. Learn more from Chrome Policy Management Overview.

Step 3: Select "Policy mergelist" from Settings sources under the selected Organizational Units. 

Step 4: Enter " * " in Configuration and click Save.

Step 5: Verify that the conflict is resolved in the target browser.

How to remove extensions

Step 1: Log in to your Google Admin console and select Apps & extensions in Chrome browsers.

Step 2: Select the app and click the Delete icon.

This will remove the target browser.

FAQ

Q. If the Josys Browser Extension is set in the Google Admin Console but does not appear in the user's Chrome extensions, what should I check?

A. If the Josys Browser Extension does not appear, then do the following:

1. Open the Chrome browser of the person you want to install it on, enter "chrome://extensions/" in the address bar, and check if the Josys Browser Extension appears in "Extensions".

2. Open the Google Admin Console and check if the Josys Browser Extension is set in "Apps and Extensions".