Here you'll find answers to many questions, along with clear steps on how to implement mobile device management solutions.
within your business in a wide range.
What is Mobile Device Manager (MDM)?
Mobile Device Management software (MDM) is a method used by businesses to monitor, secure, and manage devices of any kind, including mobile devices. MDM software allows someone to monitor devices and control devices and phones, just as a manager would do with employees in a retail store.
MDM is not limited to mobile devices. MDM can be used to manage desktops, smartphones, tablets and other devices. Implementing MDM software makes sense for any business.
MDM is now more important than ever. Mobile devices are becoming increasingly important for all types of jobs. Businesses must find ways to monitor, manage and secure these devices.
Why Use an MDM
An MDM solution allows you to improve multiple aspects of your business at once instead of one by one. While setting up an MDM system requires planning and time, the benefits will be felt quickly.
MDM: When and How to Use It
The right MDM solution will address all your concerns at once if any of the statements below are true:
- IT administrators are required to travel to the site to repair devices when software problems cause them to malfunction. This adds unnecessary costs for transit.
- While at work, employees are not productive because they use social media, YouTube, and play games.
- Many apps that employees install for fun turn out to be scams. The device is then compromised with malware.
- The admins don't want to touch the personal devices of workers for fear that they will invade their privacy. This means business data is left unprotected.
- It takes too long to set up new devices and apps.
- The cost of data consumption on devices owned by the company is not controlled due to negligence.
- If this happens, employees could leak confidential emails and files.
- Even if the majority of employees are responsible for their devices, administrators have no plans in place if a worker mistreats or loses one.
- It is difficult to switch between the systems used by administrators for managing computers and phones.
- There are some management tools provided by most device manufacturers, but it is not possible to combine these tools to manage the large variety of devices in offices.
- The IT department has no easy way to collect data on device usage patterns.
You can quickly resolve these issues when you use a solid MDM solution. Admins must remain vigilant in order to prevent any problems. Admins can solve these issues at once with MDM rather than addressing them one by one.
What can MDM Manage?
Modern MDM solutions, as mentioned above, can manage virtually any type of business device. The term unified endpoint (UEM), which is more accurate, is used to describe this.
Ask which devices and operating systems are supported by the MDM solution. Some solutions support only one type of operating system for a specific device (for instance, they may only support iPhones). It's therefore important to choose a solution which suits your needs.
What Devices can MDM Manage?
- Mobile Phones: Ofcourse, managing mobile devices includes managing mobile phones! There are many different types of mobile phones, including additional feature phones and classic cell phones. It is important to choose an MDM that works with the mobile devices that your team uses.
- Tablets: Some MDM systems support both standard and rugged tablets.
- Computers: MDM can manage desktop and laptop computers.
- Wearables are Becoming Increasingly Important in the Workplace: Most MDMs allow you to manage smartwatches, rugged wearable computers and other wearable devices.
- Rugged Devices: MDM solutions must support ruggedized devices such as tablets, phones and other mobile devices that are designed to withstand physically demanding environments. MDM solutions may, for example, partner with rugged device manufacturers to optimize the solution for warehouses using devices from that manufacturer.
- Virtual Reality: Virtual Reality devices and Augmented Reality devices are the newest trends in the business world. Most MDMs respond by offering support for selected VR/AR headsets. Also known as head-mounted displays, they are a type of VR/AR headset.
- Industrial Internet of Things: MDM solutions are able to manage industrial routers and sensors, as well as other data collection devices. CISIN' Things Management provides a powerful yet scalable solution to manage Industrial IoT devices.
- Non-Traditional Devices: MDM solutions can support IoT devices, including those without traditional operating systems. These devices include printers, scanners and battery cradles, which were designed before IoT became popular.
Operating Systems that MDM can Manage
- Android is the mobile operating system from Google, which has now reached its 11th version. It's used by many companies around the world. A good MDM should therefore support Android Enterprise apps, along with other useful features. An MDM solution that supports OEMConfig is necessary to manage Android devices made by different manufacturers.
- Android VR: Many major VR headsets are Android-based, and an MDM could support them.
- Wear OS: Google's OS for smartwatches (formerly Android Wear) can be managed by some MDM solutions.
- Apple separated the iOS operating system into iOS and iPadOS in 2019. The iPad version is called iPadOS. Apple Business Manager allows admins to manage iOS and iPadOS through the same interface.
- Watch OS: MDMs can manage Apple Watches by managing iPhones that are connected to the watches.
- MacOS is Apple's desktop and laptop OS, which has flourished due to its reputation and performance. Apple Business Manager is a management tool provided by Apple. However, many offices also use Windows and macOS systems. ABM alone will not suffice in this context.
- Windows: Windows 10 is widely used in the world, so a good MDM should support it. MDM solutions often offer limited support for older versions of Windows, including Windows 7 and
- Windows CE and Windows Mobile are still used by a surprising number of businesses. MDM solutions may be able to monitor and support older devices along with more modern ones.
- Linux is an open-source operating system that requires some skill to install and maintain. MDMs that are robust and support all Linux distributions.
What can MDM do? What is MDM?
The management of mobile devices can be helpful in many ways. They are organized into several categories. These are:
- MDM (Mobile Device Management).
- MAM (Mobile Application Management).
- MCM (Mobile Content Management).
- MIM (Mobile Identity Management).
- Bring Your Own Device.
- Non-Traditional Support for Endpoints.
While some categories have "mobile" as part of their name, they are applicable to both mobile devices (such as smartphones) and computers. The category names, like the term "mobile device management", are remnants of an older era.
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Mobile Device Management (MDM)
The features impact the whole device, including everything on it. They are called MDM because they were the first MDM features. These features are still essential for any MDM implementation, even if it is over ten years old.
Check out this list of features that an MDM can perform:
- An MDM solution can be used to enroll multiple devices in your organization at once. You can use this process to add apps and content to multiple devices at the same time.
- Monitoring multiple devices simultaneously, You can select what admins will receive information about once you have enrolled devices in an MDM solution. You can, for example, track the location and health of company-owned mobile devices.
- Contextual policies. You can set business policies for a device according to its location (known by the term "geofencing") or time of day ("time-fencing") and whether it is connected to certain Wi-Fi networks (also called "network fencing").
- Admins can secure devices remotely if someone misplaces or misuses them. It can be anything from locking down the device to wiping it clean and restoring its factory settings.
- Remotely troubleshooting. If users have problems with their devices, you can remotely view the screen of the device using the central console in the MDM solution. You can use this console to simulate screen tapping and button pressings in order to troubleshoot your devices.
Mobile Application Management (MAM)
As evidenced by the popular online question, "what is MDM and MAM?" It is still easy to understand. MAM features allow you to manage apps rather than the device user as a whole. App management features of an MDM will help improve device security and keep your employees focused.
Check out this list of features that are common in mobile application management to learn how MDM can streamline the way your employees use apps:
- MDM solutions can distribute the same app or group of apps to all devices. This ensures that each device is equipped with the apps needed to run. No longer worry about employees forgetting the apps they require.
- Outdated apps can be attacked if they are not updated. Sometimes you have to wait for the latest business app version. You can use an MDM solution to automate the updating process or manually approve updates.
Mobile Content Management (MCM)
Mobile Content Management is designed to protect sensitive data while managing files and content. Content management tools can reduce the risk of sensitive documents being exposed to third parties if they are used consistently.
Check out this list of mobile content management features and see how they can help you keep your files secure:
- MDM solutions allow you to quickly send files and media to multiple devices.
- Keep files in your organization. You can use an MDM to prevent employees from leaking important data, such as copying and pasting text.
- Automatically destroying content that is at risk: If your MDM solution detects that an organization's device has violated its rules, it can destroy any sensitive content and notify administrators.
Mobile Identity Management (MIM)
These features provide protection against attacks by controlling how devices connect to your network. Implementing these features on every device within your company will make it nearly impossible for hackers to pretend to be employees.
Check out this list of mobile identity management features and learn how to secure your network with an MDM solution:
- You can use an MDM solution to update and distribute security risk certificates on approved device models.
- Single Sign-On (SSO), to streamline the authentication process, you can integrate MDM solutions with SSO providers such as Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services.
Bring Your Own Device
An MDM solution can be used to create a "virtual workspace" on devices owned by employees that do not invade their privacy. You can delete, modify, or manage the virtual workspace from a distance without affecting any apps or personal data. Containerization is what you do since each device has its own container.
This list of features can help you understand how an MDM solution works on your employee's devices:
- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) - Support allows you to easily transfer Wi-Fi credentials, business email access and employee-owned devices to your business network.
- VPN Configuration - You can configure virtual private networks (VPNs) per app on BYOD devices using some MDM solutions. It is possible to secure individual apps even if the device as a whole does not use a VPN.
- Good MDM - solutions will use tools from Apple, Google and others to create virtual containers for sensitive business information. IT admins cannot view or modify personal data as they can only change data in the container. Even if employees violate company rules using their own devices, the company can still wipe all business data.
Read More: Creating a Mobile Device Management System
Non-Traditional Support for Endpoints
You can use cuisine Things Management method Technology to control equipment, like printers, that was not designed with connectivity as a priority. There are many companies trying to figure out the best way to transform the Internet of Things (IoT) into an "Enterprise of Things", but there are major obstacles. This is where cuisine technology can be of particular help.
Check out this list of features in SureMDM that are not traditional management tools:
- Manage IoT Devices with MDM Solution: If you rely on embedded sensors or other devices in your business, then SureMDM can be used to monitor and manage these devices.
- Managing Devices Without a Modern Operating System: cisin developed a framework for managing "not so intelligent" accessories such as older printers. The cisin Things Connectors marketplace allows companies to create their own code or "Things Connectors" to make SureMDM accessible through host machines. This turns the host computer into a proxy that can be used to manage older devices through SureMDM.
- Create a Central Framework: That can be used for both smart and not-so-smart devices. Once registered in SureMDM, smart and non-smart devices will appear on the same console. The admins can remotely manage and monitor all devices from a central console.
There are Many Options for Deploying an MDM Solution
Firms must choose one of two deployment methods when setting up MDM solutions. It is important to make this choice as it will impact how you maintain and operate the MDM solution in the future. Both on-premises and cloud-based solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. There is no one "right" answer that will work for every company.
Deploying an MDM Hosted in the Cloud
Cloud-hosted MDM solutions are hosted on the servers of cloud infrastructure service providers, such as AWS Azure or Google Cloud Platform/sector or single platform.
Cloud-hosted MDM is a great option for those who want to set up an MDM solution quickly and easily. Most SMBs, as well as many large companies that want to maximize efficiency, are included in this category.
The Pros of Using SaaS-based MDM Solutions
- By relying on existing infrastructure, you can save time and money. You don't need to coordinate or purchase tech infrastructure on-site, so you can start enrolling devices immediately.
- Maintenance is not required. You don't need to worry about maintenance because the MDM provider will take care of it.
- You can increase the number of devices as required. You can occupy more server space if you decide to support more devices. Scaling up on-premise infrastructure is more expensive since you'd need to add more servers. The MDM provider includes upgrades in the price of their service.
Cons of Using SaaS-based MDM Solutions
- You must trust that the provider will keep your data secure. Some businesses might not be comfortable with the idea of storing their sensitive data on an external server. A reputable MDM provider will be aware of this concern and put in place all kinds of safeguards to make sure data is safe.
Deploying an MDM solution on-premises
An MDM solution provider will lease its software to be used on the client's servers in an on-premise deployment. The client is responsible for the maintenance and protection of the MDM infrastructure.
On-premise MDM is ideal for companies who need to store all their data on-site, but only if they have the money and time to spare. This includes large healthcare and financial firms where privacy is paramount. However, it does not include small or medium-sized businesses.
Check out this list to see if an on-premises solution is right for you:
- External data storage is not a risk. Finance, for example, must consolidate its data in-house to maintain the trust of customers. An MDM on-premise deployment will enable them to do that.
- Time saving, money, and effort are required to purchase and maintain the infrastructure that you require. You'll need to set up and maintain your infrastructure on-site, as well as update and maintain it regularly. Also, you will need to factor in the time required to train IT staff for these tasks. You will need to expand your infrastructure if you plan to scale up the MDM deployment.
Choose the Best MDM for Your Needs
You can use a short process to help you choose the best MDM solution. Although each company may have a different solution, the method itself is universally applicable:
- Identify the overall goal. If possible, this should include solving specific issues with measurable outcomes. A good goal might be, "we want to keep my employees focused at work." We want everyone to spend zero time playing games at the office.
- Understanding what endpoints to manage is important. You will be better able to choose the MDM solution for your needs if you are aware of what you need to manage. You can also choose an MDM that manages most types of office devices, like SureMDM.
- Budget and Personnel. Your organization should be easier to manage with an MDM solution. You need to know what your IT team and budget can do in terms of setup and maintenance.
- You can choose to use devices owned by the company or employees (or both). MDM solutions give admins more flexibility when it comes to company-owned devices because they don't have to worry about personal data. Paying for devices is expensive, and employees are more proficient when using their own devices.
- You can choose to deploy MDM solutions on-premises or in the cloud. Your organization doesn't have to worry about maintaining cloud infrastructure, as we mentioned previously. To maintain full control of all sensitive data on-site, a solution on-premise is the best choice.
- Assign roles and responsibilities. MDMs allow you to assign different admin roles with different levels. These rules should be set up early to avoid any potential conflicts.
- Unique Needs. Each MDM solution is unique to each organization. It shouldn't take long to find out what makes an MDM unique.
It is important to learn as much as possible about MDM deployments. By reading this guide, you have already begun the process.
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Conclusion
Mobile device management is a core practice for modern IT teams. Once you grasp it, you have taken a big step in modernizing your office. As the name "unified endpoint" suggests, most MDM solutions are able to manage virtually any device or computer in the office environment. MDM solutions can help you thwart security threats of all types. You can manage and secure apps and content, restrict access to sensitive information, and improve the productivity of your workforce.
Each MDM solution has a unique feature set. You can determine which MDM solution is best for you by assessing what you need to monitor and manage and evaluating the importance of BYOD and non-traditional device management. You can try SureMDM for free to see if it is a comprehensive MDM that supports all types of endpoints.
