Mobile device management (MDM) tools enable businesses to secure, manage, and monitor hardware assets issued to employees.
Whether laptops, smartphones, or tablets, an MDM solution allows IT administrators to configure these devices remotely and enforce security policies.
With many MDM tools available, making the right choice for your organization can be daunting, but this guide makes it easier.
What is MDM?
Mobile device management (MDM) refers to remotely managing, securing, and monitoring devices issued to employees to fulfill their job functions.
It’s a necessary function to protect devices from cyber attacks, restrict device access to prevent misuse, and give administrators insight into the health of the hardware assets given to employees.
If you run a company with a sizable workforce, monitoring all issued devices may seem strenuous, but it’s not. MDM software tools enable you to automate most device monitoring tasks. The few manual tasks can be handled by a small IT team, or even a single person.
Features of MDM tools
The core features you’ll find in an MDM tool include:
Centralized management
MDM tools let IT teams store and monitor records about each corporate-issued device. You can keep detailed inventory records of each hardware, such as its model, serial number, operating system, and physical location. Information about any device listed in the inventory can be retrieved easily.
Remote configuration
With an MDM tool installed on a device, authorized IT personnel can change the device’s configurations over the web, without any physical interaction.
For example, you can remotely install software on a corporate device or lock a device down if suspicious activity is detected. If a device experiences software issues, you can troubleshoot it remotely.
MDM tools give IT administrators broad access to connected devices regardless of their location. This remote access improves productivity, as no one needs to run around the office to troubleshoot software issues and install new programs.
Compliance enforcement
Many industries have regulations surrounding software use. For example, banks are obligated to install cybersecurity software on every corporate device.
Sometimes, they’re required to install tools that log every online activity on corporate PCs, and failure to do so can result in significant fines.
With an MDM solution, you can remotely install required software tools and ensure no one tries to bypass them. If a device attempts to bypass the enforced controls, it’ll be logged as suspicious activity, and administrators will be immediately alerted to investigate further.
Analytics
MDM tools provide detailed insights about usage patterns, device health, and compliance status for all devices connected to a corporate network.
This way, IT personnel can easily detect unusual activities, generate usage reports for the management team, and identify devices that aren’t in good shape and need replacement.
How to choose an MDM solution
The core factors to consider when choosing an MDM solution include:
Features
The features you’ll need in an MDM solution vary according to your business niche and size. For example, large companies generally need MDM platforms with sophisticated features like remote data wiping. Healthcare firms need MDM tools that can enforce compliance with HIPAA standards.
Consider the features your company needs and research extensively for an MDM tool that provides these functionalities. You can compare different options and even run free trials to test the features before finalizing your decision.
Scalability
Some MDM tools have hard limits on the number of devices you can manage, while some let you add as many devices as possible without sacrificing performance and user-friendliness.
If you’re running a fast-growth business, you need an MDM solution that can scale rapidly without issues. As more employees come on board, adding new devices to your MDM console should be a seamless process.
MDM tools are usually transparent about their scalability, with some designed for small to mid-sized businesses and others for large organizations. Always seek this information when comparing different options.
Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) capabilities
Some companies run “bring-your-own-device (BYOD)” models where employees are allowed to use their personal devices for work activities.
This model is common in industries that don’t have strict security regulations or deal with sensitive data.
However, BYOD doesn’t mean that there’s no way to enforce security policies and manage devices remotely. Some MDM tools enable employees to run their personal devices in a “containerized” mode, that is, running a separate virtual machine on the same hardware.
When an employee logs into the virtual machine, all rules apply, and IT personnel can remotely configure and monitor usage. However, when the employee logs out of the virtual machine, IT personnel have no control over the PC.
If you intend to run the BYOD model, look for an MDM tool that has the right features to manage this model effectively.
MDM platforms are transparent about their support or non-support for BYOD tools so that you wouldn’t have problems in this area.
Easy integration
The initial setup of an MDM tool can be challenging, whether it is setting up the unified dashboard where IT admins can monitor devices or installing the tool on each corporate device. However, some MDM tools are better than others in this criterion.
You can evaluate an MDM tool’s integration process during a free trial, noting whether it’s convenient enough for your IT team.
You can also read reviews and note what other users say about a tool’s user-friendliness. This factor is essential because complex interfaces can frustrate your IT team and lead to costly errors.
Budget
MDM tools have different price grades, with some tools targeted at small to mid-sized businesses with smaller budgets and others at large companies with substantial IT budgets. The rule of thumb is that the more sophisticated control an MDM tool provides, the more costly it’ll be.
The MDM software niche is very competitive, with various rivals vying fiercely on pricing and offering discounts to snag customers.
