Nearly everyone has a powerful, connected mobile device in their pocket, and these devices have become essential for how work and work-related communications happen today, especially in the landscape of flexible work. Businesses simply cannot work efficiently and close common security gaps unless they can remotely manage, monitor, and secure mobile devices. For this reason, Mobile device management has never been more important.
Organizations manage a mix of corporate-owned and personal devices being used for work. MDM is a type of software deployed by organizations to remotely monitor, manage, and secure mobile devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops.
MDM ensures data security and compliance by enforcing safe passcodes, screen locks, work profiles, and encrypting all confidential content. Because remote and hybrid employees typically use multiple devices and operating systems to remain productive, implementing mobile device management software to keep devices running smoothly is mission-critical for organizations and their IT support teams.
Organizations must choose between two MDM deployment methods. In a cloud-hosted MDM deployment, a cloud/SaaS provider hosts all of your data on servers through cloud-infrastructure providers such as AWS.
Cloud-hosted MDM solutions are a good choice for anyone looking for a “plug and play” MDM solution, including most SMBs (small and midsize businesses) and larger companies wanting to drive efficiency via outsourcing.
With an on-premises MDM deployment, a provider leases its software for use on an organization’s own servers. The client would be responsible for maintaining and protecting its MDM infrastructure (they’d need internal people, processes, and IT to do so). On-premises MDM deployments are suitable for large organizations that are required to keep all data in-house.
Any organization supporting employees who use a large number of devices, whether in in the office or in the field, should consider an MDM solution. In fact, mobile device management is a must-have for enabling hybrid and remote work and supporting both employees' productivity and business continuity.
MDM is important because the volume and use of devices is booming. Unsurprisingly, business investments in MDM are expanding – MDM investments are projected to be $21 billion by 2029, from $6 billion in 2023 and $4 billion in 2022.
Enterprise mobility management, or EMM (sometimes called “enterprise mobile device management”), is an expanded version of MDM for larger organizations. The growth of smartphones and other mobile devices led to bigger gaps in data security and mobile device security that catalyzed the need for a broader suite of features, known as EMM. These expansive EMM solutions include all MDM features plus:
EMM enables enterprises to improve user experience and productivity while enhancing mobile security.
You can find a mobile device management solution that enables you to manage smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and other devices, such as printers, from the same portal.
Whatever MDM software you select, device manufacturers have their own, unique device enrollment and management programs that can connect to your MDM software. Here’s a brief description of programs offered by Apple, Android, and Windows:
The right MDM capabilities enable IT support teams to resolve all their users’ needs across multiple devices/endpoints and locations. Here are some of the functions mobile device management software can perform:
No matter where your IT teams or end users are located, you can automate manual tasks across tens or thousands of devices quickly and easily to ensure devices perform properly.
If your devices aren’t secured, your IT infrastructure could be at risk. Put as many security tasks as possible on automatic for greater ease and peace of mind.
Once you know there is a problem you need to take care of, you can take actions to address them without inconveniencing the end user.
An MDM solution has mobile device security controls to help organizations manage IT risks by offering an effective way to safeguard devices and data, while gaining total control over the use of supported devices. It also helps organizations manage mobile device policies while staying compliant with increasing data privacy protection regulations, such as GDPR and HIPAA.
Mobile devices, whether company-owned or not, have become an essential part of today’s modern work landscape, where work can happen anywhere over any device. Mobile devices increase employee flexibility and productivity, but when unmanaged, these devices can pose risks.
The lack of control and visibility over mobile endpoints, as well as non-standardized ways of managing mobile devices, can create costly inefficiencies and security gaps. As organizations support more flexible ways of working, they also need to protect their sensitive data and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations on every device used for work related activities. MDM enables that to happen.
Looking for a great MDM solution or unified endpoint management (UEM) solution that allows you to manage smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, and more? We can help.
