For any organization and individual operating today, mobile devices are something indispensable. The evolution of a smart world with many smart solutions has led to a vast development of portable gadgets, from smartphones and tablets to portable keyboards. Managing this would become more challenging, hence the birth of the concept of Mobile Device Management or MDM. Here’s what we have in store for you: a comprehensive guide that will get you all the juicy information you need about MDM along with how it can impact your organization to better work with the management of mobile devices.
What is MDM?
Mobile Device Management refers to a full-fledged software solution used for tracking, managing, and securing employees’ mobile devices, which could range from smartphones to tablet devices to laptops. MDM solutions enable IT administrators to enforce certain policies and deploy applications in their specified devices while ensuring the same comply with the established security policies of the company. Thus, in today’s context where remote and BYOD-based work will become increasingly the norm across enterprises, it becomes imperative.
Importance of MDM in the Modern Business World
1. Security
In modern business, there is a huge access to sensitive information through mobile devices, but security will always top the list first. MDM owns an endless list of security features, among which are:
- Data Encryption: MDM encrypts data on devices, and unauthorized users will not be able to access sensitive information.
- Remote Wipe: In case a device is lost or stolen, all data present on it can be wiped by IT administrators; this is the primary way ensuring that data breaches do not occur.
- Policy Compliance: MDM allows an organization to enforce security policy. In this way, devices are nudged into the correct posture based on industry standards.
2. Device Management
An MDM solution also serves to comprehensively handle the management of devices. This includes:
- Inventory Management-All the devices connected to the organizational network can be monitored. No unauthorized device will, therefore have access to sensitive information.
- Application Management: IT teams can force applications on devices and manage their updates while ensuring removal of unwanted or risky applications.
- Device Configuration: MDM can auto-configure devices based on predefined settings, hence making consistency on all the devices in an organization.
3. Compliance and Regulatory Standards
Most industries have strict regulations to protect data privacy and protection. MDM will assist the organizations in meeting the requirements by providing compliance enforcement tools.
- Audit Trails: most MDM solutions report and create audit trails. Organizations are in a position to trace device usage and access patterns.
- Policy Update: Organizations can effortlessly update security policies across all devices as per the latest regulations.
4. Cost Savings
Management of a mobile device proves expensive, but with MDM, an organization can lower these expenses in the following manners:
- Chances for Downtime: Proper management of devices saves an organization the problem of issues that might come up with the devices and thus assures not much downtime.
- Length of Usage: Continuous updates and maintenance through MDM enable assurance that the devices will be in use for a longer time, thus delaying the replacement need and the related expenses.
Key Features of MDM Solutions
Before settling on an MDM solution, key features you should know about that may benefit your organization include the following:
1. Device Enrollment
It is supported by many MDM solutions by having multiple enrollment methods such as bulk enrollment whereby one can enroll more than one device at once to make onboarding easier for new employees.
2. Policy Management
These are various policies related to the use of the devices that one may enforce with the help of administrators, such as password requirements, encryption settings, and acceptable use policy.
3. App Management
With MDM, IT teams can support corporate and personal applications. By so doing, employees will have what they require, while sensitive data is protected.
4. Monitoring and Reporting
To realize the patterns of usage of devices and the possible security risks in real time, real monitoring devices provide an organization with access to required insights. The more detailed the reports and analysis are, the better the choices for useful information of a mobile strategy.
Choosing the Right MDM Solution
In choosing an MDM solution, there are several issues that should be considered.
1. Scalability
An MDM solution that is scalable should be chosen. In this case, when you have brought on more workers to your organization, then the MDM solution should be able to admit even more devices without much change occurring.
2. Compatibility
Compatibility among different systems of operating and types of devices in the organization is an added advantage in terms of an MDM solution. Organizations that have different varieties of devices within their organization require compatibility with MDM solutions with different systems of operating.
3. User Experience
Intuitive user interfaces an administrator and end-users will require an intuitive user interface. A complicated system can frustrate users and quickly dilute their productivity.
4. Support and Training
Seek vendors that have support and training facilities. Effective onboarding is key to the use of MDM.
The Future of MDM
MDM is the future when it comes to mobile. Here are a few trends that come with mobile technology trends and MDM.
1. Integration with AI and Machine Learning
AI and ML shall thus add value to predictive analytics value in MDM or even make ordinary tasks automatic. This shall support the management of the devices, faster resolution to security threats, and many more.
2. Scope Facilitation on Endpoint Security
Endpoint security, on the engagement of remote work, will play an extremely vital role in MDM. There will be a lot of demand for solutions that integrate endpoint protection with device management.
3. Capability to Remotely Manage
While organizations open up to more remote work, the demand for proper management tools in the form of remote management is sure to increase. MDM solutions will likely spread into features such as remotely supported troubleshooting.
Conclusion
MDM is not a tool, but rather an organizational need of the organizations looking to protect the information assets and at the same time simplify their management over the devices. Equipped with features from security enforcement to compliance tracking, the solution of MDM provides a pivotal role in the current workplace. And going forward into the further future of mobile technology, investing in an effective MDM solution will help you keep your organization one step ahead of the curve. For organizations seeking support to develop MDM solutions, Utelize Mobile can help in device projects and optimize your mobile device strategy. Join the mobile management of the future today and protect your organization’s data by implementing MDM strategies now.