MDM or Mobile Device Management is software that acts as the gatekeeper for any mobile device be it a tablet, phone, or laptop. It helps manage the device from an app/control/security perspective enabling IT teams to administer the device to perform:
Updates to the device
Set permissions on the device
Deploy apps
Implement security policies
Monitoring
Why you need MDM
The frontline workforce now operates in the cloud, which means every device can potentially be a failure point or a security breach. While you, our audience may be savvy in technology, the majority of the people doing the work are not. Having an open system without MDM is open to abuse be it through malware, suspicious URLs, theft, installing non-productive apps, robocalls, phishing attempts, etc.
You need to keep an eye on your workforce, for productivity purposes, or simply to track if a vehicle/asset is en route for delivery at any given time or to meet packing/inventory quotas.
For safety and compliance purposes. MDMs have become extremely accurate with indoor telemetry. If you’re looking to improve the safety culture in the warehouse while improving productivity, an MDM can help. If your fleet needs to comply with DoT-mandated rest periods MDM can help track driver rest breaks aside from ELD.
Your IT team is in another state or country. Not every warehouse or retail store will have an IT team, when something goes wrong your IT team needs a way to fix devices remotely without adding downtime to the workforce or physically flying to your location. This is doubly important for fleets.
You need the device to work from a certain time and at a certain location only. This is common for last-mile fleets or secure areas of the business facility.
Want to deploy an MDM?
To deploy a mobile device management solution you need two things, an MDM server and an agent. Typically, most MDM servers are cloud/SaaS-based, in some circumstances an in-house server is used. The agent resides in the device itself, think of it like a security guard for the device. This is done via device enrollment.
With MDM, IT teams can manage thousands of devices in one go. Be it:
To lock down devices
To prevent unauthorized use or a lost device
Restrict websites and apps
Geo-fence a device
To work only in certain locations
Track a device in real-time
Remote control and troubleshooting
What devices work with MDM?
Any smart mobile device can work with an MDM solution from phones to laptops that’s capable of connecting to the internet. Most businesses prefer to work with Android Enterprise-certified devices or iOS. While these devices carry a much higher premium than consumer-grade devices, they are more secure, protect data, have better encryption, and secure boot.
Which brings us to the topic of BYOD. While BYOD is a cost-effective way for companies to save money, it’s not always the most secure. BYOD devices often aren’t Android Enterprise-certified, meaning you are loading MDM into a personal profile vs having a separate work and personal profile.
Unrelated to profiles but often gets overlooked are:
Business app compatibility with the device
MDM compatibility with the device
Can the device run an MDM and your apps concurrently
Is it a personal device
Is it for Android, iOS, Windows, or Linux
Can an MDM be my mobile threat defense?
No, they can't prevent a cyber security attack but they cannot stop one. MDM does not detect malware, suspicious files/URLs, or other breaches. They do not come with threat analysis technology. A separate mobile threat defense is needed to overcome threats.
Several providers in the market offer single-glass pane experience. Most claim to work for any device or OS, but this is not always the case. Jamf works best on iOS devices like iPads, iPhones, and Macbooks, MS Intune works best on Windows OS, SOTI for Android. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution as you are always trading something out be it zero-touch enrollment or security.
With a saturated market of MDM providers, how do you pick the right one? We can help, our lab tests a variety of MDM on devices and apps our customers deploy. Talk to us today to learn what works best for your business.
