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Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM), an increasingly popular solution among organizations, helps IT manage this vast and expanding environment more effectively.
Recent research indicates EMM products will gain increased acceptance. These typically include mobile device management (MDM), Mobile Application Management (MAM), Security and Content management solutions. A report issued in April 2017 forecast that global revenue from EMM will hit $1.8 billion at year's end of 2017! According to an April report, EMM revenues totaled an expected total of $1.8 billion by year-end in 2017.
Forrester Research contends that Enterprise Mobility Management technology offers organizations a solution for empowering employees while at the same time protecting them against risks associated with mobile computing. Our research indicates that organizations that enable employees to utilize mobile devices have happier workers that are more productive while serving happier clients - eventually increasing revenue for their organization.
According to experts, device management capabilities remain one of the primary driving forces behind enterprise mobility initiatives. EMM solutions will become even more essential as organizations need help managing various connected devices in the future.
What is Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)?
EMM solutions have become essential components of modern workplace IT infrastructures where mobile devices have become preferred business tools. Over recent years, smartphones and tablet computers have advanced, offering features ideal for business tasks - enabling employees to work from anywhere at any time, yet their misuse could compromise network security and privacy of a company if left unmanaged; this necessitates using EMM solutions across different platforms such as iOS, Android and Windows 10.
EMM solutions give IT professionals a wide range of tools and functionality for monitoring and managing mobile devices in order to improve security. EMM includes mobile device management and content, application and identity management - meaning employees can access tools, applications and company data whenever needed without compromising devices or networks.
EMMs today include MDM, MAM and security features as standard and advanced capabilities like policy management. They also come equipped with next-gen policy manager features that help organizations manage increasing mobile threats, thus creating the need for mobile identities within EMM products that enable or restrict access based on who uses which network employees. Additionally, organizations are searching for tools to combat threats to company resources associated with employee devices on which EMMs reside - this trend is creating greater demand for contextually relevant tools like identity.
EMM vendors now provide contextually relevant tools in their products to allow or restrict company resources depending on who uses which network employees. EMM vendors now also include contextually relevant identity tools within their products, which allow or restrict resources based on which network employees access your company resources depending on which network employees use your company resources based on who uses what network employees use; organizations are searching for tools which allow or restrict resources depending on which network employees access your resources within your company using EMM vendors' products for EMMs with contextually relevant tools providing the context of identity within products available within products providing context-relevant tools to allow or restrict resources within the company using network employees' identities within companies.
EMM vendors now offer contextually relevant tools within products for identity, which provide context-relevant tools within products to allow or restrict employee network employees' identities can gain or restrict resources within your company depending on which network.
Another trend gaining steam in EMM systems is advanced analytics. Driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies, advanced analytics allow enterprises to improve workflow efficiency while making better decisions.
Experts claim EMM prices are rising along with new capabilities, with costs predicted to keep increasing as devices diversify and mobile environments become more complex. Some businesses find a single EMM product only meets some of their needs. Hewitt points out that EMM technology can be difficult to change providers for. Forrester met with numerous companies that use multiple EMMs to support various devices and operating systems for mobile phones and PCs. Hewitt noted that "organizational EMM Portfolios should continue to consolidate as these tools mature." Hewitt observes that organizations will choose EMM vendors who can accommodate multiple use cases; therefore, selecting an EMM platform and vendor could be one of the most significant decisions facing IT and business leaders when taking into account how many employees rely on devices and their significance within an organization's infrastructure. When making that selection decision, consider these factors before making your final choice.
Enterprise Mobility Management (EVM): Evolution
EMM tools trace back to the early 2000s when Blackberry phones became immensely popular among businesses as email access via mobile devices became available on those phones. Businesses purchased large quantities to expand their mobile network; wireless capabilities helped businesses increase productivity. For companies to ensure the secure management of these Blackberry devices, it became necessary to use Mobile Device Manager (MDM), an early form of what would eventually evolve into EMM tools today.
As iPhones and Android phones became more prevalent, employees started adopting them for work as these smartphones proved more functional than Blackberry handsets. Due to the consumerization of IT, employees started asking companies if they could use these same phones professionally and personally - thus initiating the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend. Companies soon recognized how BYOD had many benefits - it improved employee productivity, efficiency and happiness and reduced costs overall - everyone was happy!
MAM tools were initially created to manage security and functionality on mobile applications for businesses; however, over time, these have expanded with features like identity management, content management and device administration for even greater control of enterprise mobile devices. Mobile device Management (MDM) solutions consist of tools with one purpose, like MDM or MAM. IT teams can use EMM tools to remotely secure data stored on mobile devices remotely; native management support provided by mobile operating systems has further made EMM commoditized.
What Companies Need Enterprise Mobility?
Enterprise Mobility allows employees to utilize any device they choose for remote work and utilize cloud technology for data and application sharing wirelessly. Enterprise mobility has never been more critical to business continuity; COVID-19 Pandemic highlighted its importance. International Data Corporation predicts mobile employees in the U.S. will increase from 78.5 million today (in 2020) to over 93.5 million (by 2024), accounting for 60%+ of U.S. workers by the time their forecast period ends!
Companies of all kinds are increasingly turning to enterprise mobility systems to reduce costs, increase productivity and enable employees to integrate work and personal lives more seamlessly. Enterprise mobility frameworks can also assist companies that wish to transition permanently towards hybrid working environments by offering remote onboarding, data transfer/training/collaboration capabilities, and collaboration tools. Enterprise Mobility frameworks help secure blended working environments when employees span multiple locations/time zones.
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What Are The Advantages Of Enterprise Mobility Management?
EMM solutions help businesses defend against cyber attacks while giving employees greater flexibility. In this section, EMM will show how this solution keeps businesses secure while supporting agile enterprise structures.
- Hackers Can Gain Entry To Companies: networks of devices and applications used at work are left vulnerable, making their way onto these devices through any security flaws in them. Companies can monitor devices remotely with EMM to ensure employees have access to the apps they require; ensure data sharing occurs safely; prevent employees from downloading potential security risks; and serve as a platform for an enterprise app store where employees can easily download verified applications.
- Support BYOD programs: According to a report, over one-third (36%) of organizations allow employees to access corporate systems and resources using personal devices. Organizations that have already implemented this policy can add it to their list; when an electronic device becomes compromised, they can act quickly to address its security. EMM solutions give businesses visibility for monitoring internal threats and ensuring employees abide by policies.
- Productivity of Employees Increased: Employees can now quickly respond to work tasks quickly and collaborate more easily across departments by accessing company data from any device at any time and anywhere - this means greater employee productivity faster! Employees also enjoy working from devices they know well, which helps produce faster quality work products.
Who uses Enterprise Mobility Management?
Mobile devices allow employees to work outside the office, increasing productivity. EMM solutions may benefit companies with hybrid, mobile or remote work environments - these industries may particularly find this solution valuable.
- Many healthcare professionals offered virtual consultations during COVID-19 to patients via telephone consultations, sending test results and prescriptions via mobile devices. EMM solutions enabled healthcare brands to store all patient data while communicating with them directly securely; Deloitte's 2021 Connectivity & Mobile Trends Survey revealed virtual consultations allowed patients to receive high-quality care throughout the pandemic resulting in positive responses.
- Construction: Many architects, site managers and engineers work out in the field. With mobile devices, they can access tools and applications from their companies while exchanging ideas with others in real time. Also, they can check inventory without visiting an office or warehouse, which boosts productivity while improving workflow efficiency.
- Retail: Equipping retail sales staff with mobile devices lets them personalize the shopping experience while improving communications between warehouse and inventory teams and sales associates. Small and midsize businesses can gain from EMM solutions that support Bring Your Device policies; such solutions allow them to maintain cost structures while expanding business.
How to Choose the Best Enterprise Mobility Management System (EMM)
As so many employees now utilize mobile devices, the term "mobile workforce" is becoming obsolete. Enterprise mobility management, an increasingly popular solution within organizations, enables IT staff to oversee this vast and expanding environment more easily. According to recent research findings, EMM products are expected to see even further adoption over time. These products include Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Application Management (MAM), Mobile Security, and Content Management. In April 2017, The Radicati Group published a report forecasting global revenues from EMM to reach $1.8 billion at year-end 2017. In addition, The Radicati Group estimates that global EMM revenue reached an expected mark of $1.8 billion, as reported in April.
According to a survey, the continued expansion of Bring Your Device programs, an expanding mobile workforce, the proliferation of mobile apps, cybersecurity concerns and compliance requirements all play an integral part in driving EMM demand. EMM tools are widely available in both cloud, local or hybrid configurations. EMM technology enables organizations to support employee autonomy while protecting them against risks associated with providing mobile devices to employees. Our research indicates that organizations that allow employees to utilize mobile phones have happier workers, greater productivity, and happier customers.
EMM is increasingly essential in organizations looking to secure and control connected devices securely and manageably. "However, enterprise mobility now transcends just device management - its meaning has expanded significantly over time." "However," adds Holtby, "embrace it for what it can bring - its benefits far outstrip simply device control alone."
What's New In Mobile Management
EMM products provide MDM, MAM and security capabilities, advanced features like the next-generation policies manager and the ability to determine meaningful contexts for users and devices. Organizations increasingly depend on tools to combat mobile threats that arise due to increased mobile device proliferation; mobile identities have thus become ever more significant for organizations; EMM vendors now include contextually relevant identity tools in their products that allow or restrict employee access based on the network they utilize.
Advanced analytics is another trend steadily gaining traction, thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning advances. EMM software systems offer enterprises data that helps improve workflow and make more informed decisions. Holtby states that companies are becoming more aware of the vital role mobility has as part of digital transformation efforts, according to experts who claim EMM costs have also seen increases with new capabilities being enabled by mobility solutions. Experts project that prices will only increase as mobile environments and devices become more complex, but one EMM solution may not suffice for certain companies; Hewitt claims EMM solutions can be "sticky," making vendor changes difficult; Forrester interviewed multiple businesses which use multiple EMMs to support multiple devices like mobile phones or computers with different operating systems.
Researchers predict that as EMM technology matures, organizations should consolidate their EMM portfolios. According to them, organizations will choose an EMM provider with multiple use-case capabilities in mind for purchase consideration. Given how many devices employees own and how vital mobility can be to businesses, selecting an appropriate EMM vendor and platform is critical in making business and IT leaders' choices easier and minimizing potential disruption. Consider these factors when making your selection decision:
Concentrate On Your Current Needs
Attributing EMM capabilities and features to your business requirements is the cornerstone of selecting an effective EMM solution. Consider factors like what applications users most frequently access, security concerns, mobile OS versions used on devices managed through EMM platforms, network management requirements, and reporting needs when choosing your EMM provider. According to experts, organizational needs for mobility solutions vary considerably, as do infrastructure environments where such solutions are implemented - hence, companies should pay attention to the importance of building partnerships with service providers or vendors who can align technology to your unique business requirements.
Decide the features necessary based on your business requirements and mobile devices or apps that support them, taking into account basic device and application management as a minimum standard for device and app support, BYOD devices owned by your company vs. BYOD ones and geofencing as an additional layer to comply with certain data privacy laws that affect frequent travelers.
Consider all mobile users in your organization when assessing Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM). Enterprise mobility was originally focused on providing employees the freedom of working from anywhere without depending on traditional devices like desktop computers or laptops, although until recent years, these mobile devices were mostly utilized by senior executives during work activities. According to experts, "mobile technology has become more democratic," providing benefits across your employee population.
Finding an EMM solution tailored specifically to the needs of your company requires matching its features and capabilities with those required of you by your employees, taking into account such aspects as which apps users most frequently access, security concerns, network management needs, mobile operating system requirements and reporting needs, among other considerations.
According to experts, there are significant differences between organizational mobility requirements and the infrastructure contexts in which mobility solutions are used. Therefore, organizations should form relationships with IT vendors or service providers who tailor technology to their unique business requirements.
Establish the features necessary for you to meet the business tasks that mobile apps and devices will support, including device and application management, BYOD support or company-owned device support, geofencing for employees who frequently travel abroad (especially those subject to data privacy laws in certain nations) as well as geo-fencing as a geo-fences feature that helps users comply with local data protection legislation.
Consider all mobile users within your organization when selecting EMM solutions. Enterprise mobility was once focused on freeing people from being bound to traditional devices like desktop computers and laptops; mobile devices were usually only utilized by senior executives until recently - however, Holtby points out that now mobile technologies are being more broadly adopted within organizations, giving rise to employee empowerment through use.
Read More: What Is Enterprise Mobility Management And How Can It Boost Your Business?
Attention to User Experience
Before rolling out an EMM system to all employees in an enterprise, it is imperative first to test its impact on different mobile devices. An unsuitable platform may lead to employee discontent if its functionality interferes with their ability to use mobile phones effectively or makes their jobs harder.
Hewitt asserts that the employee experience should come first: If employees experience poor service from EMM, they won't use it voluntarily, and in our experience, this has proven true for EMM policies as a major failure point for organizations. Organizations segment their workforces according to what kind of use case best fits EMM policies. Some employees might only require EMM control if only using one app at once or working for your organization for short durations.
Get employees involved with testing an EMM platform. Determine whether it enables easier use of mobile devices and apps by employees. All platforms support all major use cases that we expect when launching this new product." Although features might look good on paper, details often only become evident through usage; EMM's value to an organization would decrease significantly if hindering employee empowerment hindered productivity increases through mobility solutions like these.
Apps For Mobile Devices Are To Be Noticed
The mobile ecosystem is more than devices: business apps are an invaluable way for both end-users and organizations alike to add value via mobility, making EMM platforms with mobile application management capabilities indispensable.
Experts claim mobile applications have propelled the EMM market to new heights, creating more appealing investment propositions. Mobile apps may help employees be more productive; EMM solutions greatly boost employee efficiency.
Experts advise businesses to pay special attention when configuring and integrating mobile applications with other IT services, infrastructure or devices, including managing identities between devices and applications.
Suites vs. Individual Products
Mobility needs, the size and structure of a company and existing mobile management infrastructure all play a factor when choosing whether or not a complete EMM Suite should be purchased or only select components as best-of-breed solutions are optimal.
Hewitt of Forrester claims EMM suites may not be necessary for smaller companies with more limited needs or simpler requirements, especially as companies move towards more comprehensive suites that may become too much for employees needing only to approve expense reports on mobile devices - simpler products with mobile versions would likely suffice in these instances. Taylor from Gartner analyst reports this question has become less pertinent over time due to more comprehensive products, including mobile apps, content, and devices - leading us back towards using EMM instead of MDM (Mobile Device Management).
Taylor believes a single suite of mobile management tools may not meet an organization's exact mobile management requirements, depending on their situation and specific tools that may be required for success with mobile. IN SUCH A SITUATION, some EMM vendors might not offer these necessary security tools, and it might be wiser for companies to purchase the best security tools from multiple vendors instead. Taylor concludes: 'It may not be possible to find an all-in-one solution; EMM will serve as the foundation to build your mobile capability."
Future Proofing
EMM platforms must adapt to changing technological, market and regulatory demands to remain effective for an organization and meet current needs and those that arise later on.
Holtby states: As recent history demonstrates, devices will continue evolving rapidly. Organizations must adapt quickly to accommodate employees' new behaviors and needs regarding mobility and connectivity, as the Internet of Things brings an array of devices that must be managed. It would help to consider your organization's current and anticipated needs before selecting vendors' products with features like mobile identity management or data analytics that meet those criteria.
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Conclusion
Experts contend that EMM solutions go far beyond device and app management; these advanced capabilities extend into policy management, data security auditing and mobile analytics for deeper insight from data collected across mobile apps and devices. Experts recognize this functionality as key in turning enterprise mobility into an exceptional value proposition that transforms organizations by helping digitalize key processes and services."
Other aspects of EMM, like mobile device management, remain evolving. We suggest that while mobile device management remains popular today, future approaches will also require context, content, and data management.
Do we state the next step will be integrating mobile into business process improvement and collaboration efforts, such as how business decisions are made without returning to an office to launch applications? EMM services offer this function, and we expect this activity will only grow more prevalent over 12 months.
