Mobility has become pervasive across modern enterprises, with businesses rapidly embracing bring-your-own-devices (BYOD) and remote work policies. Employees are now accessing company data from smartphones, laptops, tablets and more – often using personal devices.
While this democratization of work unlocks flexibility and productivity gains, it can become a digital liability without adequate mobile device management (MDM). Sensitive corporate information could be exposed in case of device theft or when employees quit. Compliance risks also multiply with unauthorized or risky mobile usage.
To enable workforce mobility in a secure manner, organizations need capabilities around:
- Visibility into device inventory with tracking
- Configuring access permissions and restrictions
- Data protection through passwords, encryption
- Selective content wipe in case devices are lost/stolen
- Monitoring usage patterns to flag anomalies
This is where a dedicated MDM software comes into the picture, serving as an organization‘s safety net for managing and securing mobile endpoints.
A Bit of History Around MDM Solutions
The origins of MDM can be traced to the early 2000s when wireless devices started entering the workplace. Initial tools were quite primitive and offered only basic monitoring.
As mobile platforms like iOS, Android and Windows matured over the decade and began handling critical business activities, the need for securing and controlling these devices grew tremendously.
MDM solutions thus evolved from focusing solely on asset inventory and troubleshooting to incorporating advanced functions like usage policies, data leak prevention, specialized analytics and more.
The MDM market has exploded in tandem with mobile adoption – growing at 24% CAGR globally and expected to reach $7.3 billion by 2024. With businesses relying heavily on mobility, the importance of MDM will only increase.
Key Drivers for MDM Adoption
- 68% of organizations have implemented bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, needing MDM for personal device oversight.
- 57% of companies have half or more of their workforce using mobile devices for work.
- Loss or theft of unsecured mobile devices costs businesses over $50 billion annually.
- 90% of IT leaders cite security as the key objective behind their mobility and MDM strategy.
Evaluating Your Needs Before Committing to an MDM Platform
Not all mobile device management tools are created alike. Various solutions exist – from free and open source options perfect for small businesses to sophisticated commercial packages catering to large regulated enterprises with global operations.
Carefully determine your requirements before zeroing in on a product.
- What are your key drivers – security, cost control or workforce productivity? Prioritize accordingly.
- Do you need basic tracking insights or advanced automation leveraging AI?
- What types of endpoints and mobile OS do you need to manage – iOS, Android, Windows, specialty devices?
- Should MDM integrate with existing directory services and IT systems?
- Is the tool meant just for company-owned devices or also personal ones (BYOD)?
- What regional and compliance needs must be addressed?
Capture input from cross-functional teams like InfoSec, IT administrators, procurement specialists and business unit heads.
This requirements gathering will point you towards shortlisting appropriate MDM solutions for further evaluation.
Next up, let us explore the spectrum of capabilities offered by MDM software.
MDM Functional Capabilities Deep Dive
While individual features vary across providers, MDM solutions generally pack a common set of toolsets:
| Functionality | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Device Tracking | Maintain inventory of enrolled assets, types, users. Locate lost or misplaced devices. |
| Monitoring & Control | Granular visibility into device status, configurations, activity logs. Selectively restrict high-risk or non-compliant usage. |
| Policy Enforcement | Centrally define and automate compliance rules around encryption, passwords, wiping lost or stolen devices etc. |
| Application Management | Distribute, update, whitelist/blacklist mobile apps accessing corporate content. |
| Data Protection | Encrypt sensitive organizational data. Remotely wipe contents on compromised devices. |
| Runtime Analytics | Collect device statistics to uncover usage patterns, performance issues and threats. |
Additionally, specialized MDM platforms for businesses also incorporate:
- Role-based access control (RBAC) and delegated permissions
- Integration interfaces with directory services, security controls and other IT systems
- Automation of tasks using artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Predictive analytics around asset health, failures and recommendation
Let us analyze some of these pillars more closely through real-world scenarios.
Granular Visibility and Endpoint Control
Sophisticated MDM solutions provide highly detailed visibility based on device parameters like – type, OS version, patch levels, configuration status, network used and so on.
For example, IT can easily determine all iOS devices two generations behind latest firmware with such filters to prioritize upgrades.
Selective restrictions can also be imposed to block non-essential functionality that drains productivity or poses compliance risks.
Use cases include – disabling social media to prevent leaks, limiting copy-paste in financial apps, enforcing app whitelist for locked-down devices and so on. Such surgical oversight helps balance utility with security of mobile assets.
Automating Routine Administration with AI-Based Insights
Mobility introduces numerous devices to track and manage, overwhelming manual IT efforts. AI and machine learning led automation within advanced MDM platforms alleviate administrative overheads.
For instance, solutions can track deployment metrics and usage anomalies to highlight possible violations for investigation. Similarly predictive algorithms evaluate fleet-wide risk signals from network traffic, failed login attempts etc. to strengthen vulnerability response.
Automated remediation for issues like sudden blacklisted app installation across 100+ devices also minimizes operational disruption, allowing IT staff to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Role-based Access Control (RBAC)
With a distributed and transient mobile workforce, localized control is preferred instead of granting global system privileges.
MDM tools should ideally implement RBAC with options like:
- Delegated group permissions – Regional server managers can manage assets in APAC zone only
- Tiered access – Help desk resets passwords, IT handles configurations
- Time-bound access – Third-party vendors enrollment privileges expire automatically
Such identity and access nuances reduce insider risks while still enabling workflow efficiency.
Directory Services Integration
Robust MDM software seamlessly taps into existing IAM frameworks like Microsoft Active Directory, LDAP and mobile SSO platforms. This allows maintaining a single source of truth for permissions while unlocking added features.
For instance automated user deprovisioning in case of employee departures to revoke associated mobile access. Compliance policies can also inherit corporate roles for consistency. Cupertino giant Apple provides dedicated APIs for linking its device management to on-premises identity stores.
Deep directory services integration must be high on the priority list for most enterprises.
Open Source vs Commercial MDM Tools
| Parameter | Open Source | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free license but need infrastructure and effort for support | Monthly/Annual fee per device or user |
| Features | Core device tracking and security. Mostly installed on-premises | Advanced automation, analytics and ecosystem integration. Available as SaaS. |
| Customization | Highly flexible to tailor as needed for specific environments | Restricted changes but vendors provide packaged functionality addressing common use cases |
| Support | Community assistance on best effort basis | Professional services and prompt vendor assistance |
Open source options like WSO2 EMM offer an inexpensive starting point for basic MDM deployments. Configuring required integrations demands high technical skills.
Commercial platforms such as VMware WorkspaceONE simplify environment complexity while optimizing operational efficiency through intelligent capabilities. Their enterprise-grade support justifies the subscription costs.
Evaluate trade-offs based on long-term objectives beyond pricing.
Step-by-Step Guide for Smooth MDM Deployment
Embarking on an MDM project warrants meticulous planning like any other business-critical software rollout. Avoid common pitfalls by following industry best practices:
1) Set clear objectives – Articulate what functional gaps must be addressed via MDM – compliance, productivity, costs? What outcomes are anticipated and how will they be measured?
2) Draft detailed requirements – Capture must-have and nice-to-have capabilities, device/OS types, integrations, use cases etc. Share questionnaire templates across departments to gather needs.
3) Evaluate vendor solutions – Shortlist tools matching requirements. Prioritize those aligning closest to long-term roadmaps.
4) POC and pilot testing – Before large-scale production rollout, validate chosen MDM software on limited samples across user groups. Fix gaps.
5) Phased rollout – Gradually ramp up device enrollment while continually gauging user feedback to minimize disruption. For example, first company owned devices, then BYOD ones later.
6) Drive adoption – Educate end-users on MDM benefits and enhanced capabilities unlocked for them through tutorials and training.
Staying agile to tweak rollouts based on lessons learned and keeping everyone’s interests in mind are pivotal for successful deployments.
Unique Industry Needs Around Managing Mobile Devices
While all enterprises need core MDM capabilities, additional industry-specific requirements exist based on use cases.
Healthcare
- Protect patient health data in EMR apps per HIPAA regulations through stringent access controls
- Selectively containerize applications to prevent personal usage alongside medical software
- Time-bound privilege assignment for doctors, visiting medical reps needing temporary systems access
Financial Services
- Prevent confidential corporate data leakage from advisor tablets and trader devices
- Maintain regulatory compliance around financial apps by restricting risky non-work usage
- Implement elevated security protocols given sensitive nature of info
Construction
- Rugged device management with extended durability matching harsh environments
- Location visibility for equipment movement traceability across vast remote project sites
- Limit connectivity and bandwidth for temporary offices at construction locations
Hospitality
- Secure endpoints like check-in tablets and restaurant POS systems
- Guest network segmentation for smart TVs and visitor BYODs via firewall settings
- Digital signage lockdown preventing unauthorized tampering
Study vertical-specific needs to identify relevant tools aligned to their unique environments.
What Does the Future Hold for Enterprise Mobility Management?
Mobility is only rising within modern digital environments. Gartner predicts that by 2023, 70% of workers will be mobile, rarely tied to a single location. Workflows are also getting intertwined across next-gen endpoints like wearables and Internet of Things.
As such devices pervade enterprises, organizations need a unified and intelligent approach to administer mixed fleets. This goes beyond basic MDM to a wider embodiment – Unified Endpoint Management (UEM).
UEM consolidation helps manage mobile devices alongside laptops, servers, desktops, IoT and even virtual workstations holistically. Cross-platform oversight also enables unified security, automated compliance, vulnerability management and centralized analytics.
Leading MDM platform vendors like VMware and BlackBerry are already transitioning their offerings from standalone products to UEM software suites under brands like Workspace ONE and Spark.
As boundaries between access mediums evaporate, unified endpoint management will be the future for next-gen computing fleets. Now is the right time for enterprises to start their modern management journey with a robust MDM solution fitting such a strategic vision.
Final Thoughts
Like most software investments, identifying the right MDM platform may seem overwhelming initially considering the breadth of options. Hopefully this guide has armed you with a structured methodology for approaching MDM procurement – beginning from gathering business needs, comparing capabilities to mapping rollout.
Rather than just facilitating fleet oversight, modern tools promise intelligence-led automation to transform mobile workforce productivity and risk management. Update legacy practices by integrating mobility management deeper into operations for sustained competitive advantage.
