The proliferation of tablets and smartphones has resulted in a need for tools to manage these devices. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions allow you to remotely monitor, lock, wipe and track the location of your devices. MDM solutions are also useful for managing features such as email and web browsing.
Mobile Device Management is Portable
Mobile devices are more portable than ever, making them easy to lose or have stolen. It’s not uncommon for employees to leave mobile devices in taxis and hotel rooms.
A mobile device management solution can be used to lock down your devices remotely, making it more difficult for someone to access your company’s data if they lose a device or have it stolen. The ability to remotely wipe data from a lost or stolen device can help you protect sensitive data without having to invest in an expensive new security system.
If your company offers mobile devices, a mobile device management solution can help you implement policies that prevent users from installing unauthorized apps or over-using the mobile network.
How Do I Decide Which Solution Is Best For My Business?
It’s important to remember that there is no perfect solution; every MDM solution has its pros and cons. You should evaluate the different options that are available based on the needs of your business, with an emphasis on the following factors:
Cost:
Many MDM solutions are free or very inexpensive. However, some enterprise-level options can be fairly expensive. You should determine how much you’re willing to spend on securing your business before deciding which option is best for you.
Many MDM solutions are free or very inexpensive. However, some enterprise-level options can be fairly expensive. You should determine how much you’re willing to spend on securing your business before deciding which option is best for you.
Flexibility:
Not all MDM solutions are created equal. Some provide many more features than others, which may be more suited to a specific type of business than others. If you need a way to manage multiple platforms and devices, make sure the solution you use supports them all.
Some providers also offer additional third-party add-ons that can extend the feature set of their software without increasing the price tag. This means that you will often get more features than you would with a less flexible provider at a similar price point.
Not all MDM solutions are created equal. Some provide many more features than others, which may be more suited to a specific type of business than others. If you need a way to manage multiple platforms and devices, make sure the solution you use supports them all.
Some providers also offer additional third-party add-ons that can extend the feature set of their software without increasing the price tag. This means that you will often get more features than you would with a less flexible provider at a similar price point.
Device Support:
Some MDM solutions are designed to support a specific device or operating system, while others are more flexible. You should consider how many devices you will be managing and what operating systems you will be using before making your decision.
If you have employees who use multiple devices, multiple operating systems will likely need to be managed. Make sure the solution you choose can support them all.
Ease of Use:
The more difficult an MDM solution is to use, the less likely you are to use it correctly. Make sure your chosen solution is easy to understand, configure and use before investing in a platform that requires intensive training and retraining.
Security:
The security of your MDM platform is critical as it stores sensitive information about your business. The platform should be highly secure and frequently updated, which can help prevent data breaches and unauthorized access attempts in the future.
