What is MDM? Why do enterprises need MDM Software?

 

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a pivotal tool for organizations seeking to streamline management and bolster security across their mobile device fleet. By centralizing control, MDM empowers administrators to enforce security protocols, regulate access, and remotely manage configurations. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also fortifies defenses against potential threats, ensuring a robust and compliant mobile infrastructure.

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Mobile Device Management for

What is MDM & Why do enterprises need MDM Software?

What is Mobile Device Management(MDM)?

MDM, also Known as Mobile device management is the process of enhancing corporate data security by monitoring, managing and securing the mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets that are used in enterprises.MDM stands for Mobile Device Management and modern mobile device management tools facilitate IT admins to ensure that the mobile devices used for work are provisioned with the needed configurations, permissions, and resources.

Mobile device management solutions allow IT teams and admins to control and distribute security policies to the mobile devices accessing sensitive corporate data in their organizations, ensuring the corporate network is secureWith more and more employees using one or all of these devices, organizations across all shapes and sizes are now turning to mobile device management for enhanced data and network security and improved employee productivity. MDM solutions enable IT admins to configure enterprise-grade security policies on mobile devices, making them corporate ready.

What we'll cover in the MDM software guide:

Mobile Device Management - Overview

Mobile Device Management (MDM) enables IT admins to securely monitor and manage the mobile devices that access sensitive business data. It includes storing essential information about mobile devices, deciding which apps can be present on the devices, locating devices, and securing devices if lost or stolen. With the increased adoption of mobile devices, mobile device management (MDM) solutions have now evolved into Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions.

Mobile devices now have more capabilities than ever before, which has ultimately led to many enterprises adopting a mobile-only or mobile-first workforce. In these types of environments, both personal and corporate-owned mobile devices are the primary devices used for accessing or interacting with corporate data. To simplify the management of mobile devices, many businesses use a third-party mobile device management (MDM) software such as Mobile Device Manager Plus to manage mobile devices.

With a number of enterprises moving to a cloud-based infrastructure, the ease of use mobile devices offer has contributed to mobile devices replacing conventional desktops, as shown below in Figure 1:

The importance of MDM solutions and software

Mobile Device Management (MDM) Software/Solution

MDM software or MDM solution is a type of management or security technology that enables IT admins to monitor, manage and secure corporate or personally-owned mobile devices that run across multiple operating systems. It is also referred to as mobile device management software or MDM server or MDM client.

Mobile devices are portable in nature and ensure work can be done from anywhere. While the portability of mobile devices can offer many advantages, mobile devices also come with their own set of problems, such as unauthorized data access and data leakage. If you want to leverage portability to improve productivity without compromising security, you need a proper mobile device management system or MDM software set up to simplify the challenge of managing mobile devices.

The right Mobile Device Management (MDM) application or solution can make a world of difference for system administrators trying to manage mobile devices. An MDM solution or an MDM server provides a unified console to manage the different device types used in an organization. They let you manage the apps being installed or removed on mobile devices, monitor the devices in the MDM server, configure basic settings on devices, and set up devices that will be used for specific purposes, like point of sale (POS). These solutions are also available with multiple MDM deployment options to meet the requirements of every organization.

Why are Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions important?

The main purpose of enterprise MDM or mobile device management is to allow enterprises to focus on improving productivity of their employees by allowing them to access corporate data on the go using corporate or personally-owned mobile devices. MDM solutions can help achieve this in a seamless and simplified manner. Here are a few ways through which mobile device management software make overall device management easier for the admin:

How does Mobile Device Management (MDM) software work?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions use a client-server architecture, with the devices acting as clients while MDM server remotely pushes configurations, apps, and policies managing the devices over-the-air (OTA). Generally, there is a MDM server or platform that allows the IT admin to monitor mobile devices. IT admins can remotely manage mobile endpoints such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones via the MDM server. It leverages the notification services available to contact the managed devices for mobile device management. For more information about how exactly mobile device management services work and what an MDM server is, refer here.  

Advantages of using an MDM solution

Organizations adopting mobility, prefer deploying MDM solutions since they simplify mobile device management and provide the following benefits:

MDM solutions industry use cases

Let's take a closer look at how mobile device management tools and software can be utilized across industries.

  • Healthcare

    With most healthcare organizations moving towards electronic health records (EHRs), mobile device use is more popular than ever in the healthcare sector. But ensuring the personal health information (PHI) stored on mobile devices is secure and complying with regulatory standards like HIPAA can be a challenge. An MDM solution can help you meet compliance standards while also ensuring that PHI remains secure from unauthorized access.

  • Transportation

    Now that many enterprises are embracing mobility, one market that can benefit greatly from the advantages of MDM is the transportation industry. An MDM solution lets businesses track shipments and vehicle locations as well as maintain a history of locations traversed. It also lets you lock down corporate devices to specific apps and/or settings to prevent device misuse and ensure maximum productivity.

  • Education

    The transition to the digital age has affected no industry more than the education sector. With more and more schools adopting tablet-based teaching methods, it's essential to manage these devices to ensure they're only used for learning. Granular restrictions let you disable basic device functionalities such as the camera, as well as restrict access to certain websites.

  • Retail

    Thanks to features like digital signage, mPOS, and self-service checkouts, mobile devices have found their niche in the retail sector. Some enterprises in the retail industry use mobile devices built for a specific need, while others use a combination of in-house apps and certain policies on more standard devices like phones and tablets. Both specialized devices such as rugged devices and standard mobile devices such as smartphones can be managed using an MDM solution.

  • Service

    With most organizations in the service industry leaning towards a mobile-only or mobile-first workforce, mobile devices especially employee-owned devices share being used more than ever. An MDM solution helps you seamlessly manage personal devices (BYOD management) and in-house apps while also ensuring those devices adhere to your enterprise's security standards.

The MDM solution that can help

ManageEngine's Mobile Device Manager Plus is the perfect enterprise mobile device management tool for SMBs and large enterprises. Let's look at some of the features Mobile Device Manager Plus has to offer to simplify MDM device management:

  • Quicker onboarding

    Mobile Device Manager Plus supports multiple methods for enrollment, irrespective of whether the device is with the user or still sitting in one of your business' storerooms. With Mobile Device Manager Plus, you can quickly and easily onboard devices in bulk with no user action required. Learn more about Mobile Device Manager Plus' enrollment methods. It also helps with BYOD mobile device management i.e. mobile device management for personal devices, whereby you get to manage the workspace while having zero control over the personal space ensuring corporate data security without compromising on user privacy.

  • Efficient app management

    Silently install both purchased and in-house apps, and predefine app permissions and settings OTA to ensure they're ready for use immediately after installation. In addition to silent installation, you can also delete or update apps remotely without requiring any user intervention. Further, Mobile Device Manager Plus also helps you maintain licenses of paid apps. Learn more about app management.

  • Seamless policy management

    Ensure devices are ready for use the moment they're handed over to employees by remotely preconfiguring basic settings for Wi-Fi, email, etc. Any configuration updates can also be made OTA. With Mobile Device Manager Plus, you can easily manage your BYOD environment by controlling all corporate aspects of a device while leaving personal data alone for a good balance between security and privacy. Learn more about policy management.

  • Robust security management

    Mobile Device Manager Plus provides you with a host of options for mobile security both proactive and reactive. In addition to granular restrictions, you can ensure only devices managed by Mobile Device Manager Plus can access corporate Exchange servers. By sandboxing your corporate documents, you can ensure that mobile devices attempting to access corporate data can only do so using the MDM agent app (ManageEngine MDM) present on the device, thereby preventing unauthorized access.

    You can also create a geofence policy to ensure corporate devices do not leave the premises. Should a device get stolen or go missing, you can secure it using Lost Mode as well as execute security commands to lock or wipe the device.

  • Comprehensive post-deployment management

    In addition to simple device deployment, Mobile Device Manager Plus provides multiple settings for maintaining deployed devices, including periodic device scanning to update your device inventory; remote troubleshooting; and scheduling/automating OS updates to ensure the most secure OS version is running on each device.

Automate endpoint management throughout the device life cycle

Onboard

Enroll personal and corporate devices in bulk with flexible options.

Provision

Set up devices with required apps and content based on groups or departments.

Secure

Defend against data theft with preventative and context-based security policies.

Maintain

Remotely troubleshoot devices, get critical alerts, and maintain device inventory with insights and reports.

Deprovision

Remove, reassign, or retire devices that are not in use, out of the organization, in repair, or noncompliant.

Manage any device running on any OS

  • Get zero-touch enrollment Have Android devices shipped directly to users while ensuring that they are provisioned with all the business-essential policies, apps, and data.
  • Leverage Google Play Customize the Google Play layout and silently install apps over the air. Periodically let Google Play Protect check apps for malware and set a policy to automatically update all store apps.
  • Troubleshoot with advanced remote control Take remote control of devices with a single click in order to troubleshoot.
  • Implement kiosk mode Lock down devices to a single app or an approved set of apps while customizing the home screen and device functions.
  • Manage rugged and IoT devices Integrate with various original equipment manufacturers, like Samsung, LG, Zebra, and Honeywell, to manage purpose-built devices.
  • Maximize security Block apps, URLs, and device functions to safeguard corporate data. Containerize corporate data on BYODs to keep it safe.
  • Automate large-scale deployment Ensure devices get provisioned automatically post-enrollment through Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager.
  • Manage apps extensively Distribute store and custom-built apps without user intervention. Manage app purchases and licenses in bulk across locations with Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager.
  • Share devices Cut down on IT costs by providing shared iPads to frontline workers and students who have staggered schedules.
  • Automate kiosk mode Restrict devices to certain apps based on conditions like time and session expiration.
  • Filter network traffic Allowlist or blocklist websites, force network traffic through proxy servers, and disable iCloud Private Relay.
  • Prevent data leaks Enable restrictions on device functions, clipboard, screenshots, and built-in share options to keep sensitive data secure.
  • Onboard devices with ease Enroll TVs and provision them with Wi-Fi configurations and the necessary apps without admin intervention.
  • Convert Apple TVs into digital signage Run approved apps on Apple TVs to display business content.
  • Filter displayed content Restrict media playback from particular regions or based on maturity ratings.
  • Gate AirPlay Prevent unauthorized users from displaying content on Apple TVs.
  • Deploy via Apple Business Manager Enroll devices in bulk by leveraging Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager.
  • Manage FileVault encryption Enforce encryption and manage the recovery keys to prevent data loss.
  • Prevent data leaks Restrict the camera, screenshots, recording, clipboard sharing, and iCloud functions to prevent data leaks.
  • Manage privacy preferences and system extensions Choose which system extensions and resources apps can access for better privacy and security.
  • Enroll devices in bulk Simultaneously onboard and provision thousands of devices using Windows Autopilot.
  • Manage diverse devices Be it phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, HoloLens, or Surface Hubs, our versatile solution manages them all.
  • Enhance device security Leverage policies for Wi-Fi, VPN, proxy, clipboard, and app block on vault-like devices.
  • Easily migrate GPOs Use our built-in tool to migrate from legacy management techniques to a more advanced and evolving set of policies.
  • Comprehensively lock down devices Control how users engage with devices by placing restrictions on apps and functions.
  • Configure app lockdown Enable kiosk mode on Chrome devices in single- or multi-app mode to ensure only the right level of device access is provided.
  • Manage guest sessions Take control of an entire guest session, including session duration, browser settings, and websites to which guests have access.
  • Control OS versions Schedule OS updates for immediate or future deployment while also stopping OS versions from updating beyond the specified number.
  • Enable Chrome Verified Access Enable cryptographic verified access to ensure only authorized devices and users have access to corporate networks and resources.

Dedicated management policies for BYODs, rugged devices, and IoT devices

BYODs

  • Manage everything work-related without intruding on user privacy.
  • Encrypt work data and separate it from personal data.
  • Secure business apps, even on unmanaged devices.

Rugged devices

  • Use OEMConfig to apply custom policies provided by the vendors.
  • Leverage firmware over the air to update the OSs of rugged devices.
  • Remotely control field devices to troubleshoot them instantly.

IoT devices

  • Manage and secure a range of devices, including wearables and TVs.
  • Apply custom configurations provided by the vendors and OSs.
  • Restrict playback on devices based on regions and maturity ratings.

Key features of Mobile Device Management (MDM) software

App management

  • Seamless app distribution: Purchase apps in bulk, silently install them, and create a self-service portal.
  • Get apps ready for use: Preconfigure logins, settings, and permissions for users to ensure hassle-free app onboarding.
  • Block malicious apps: Prevent the spread of malware by blocking apps, enforcing Google Play Protect, and restricting app sideloading.
  • Multi-version app support: Distribute different versions of custom-built apps to different departments and groups with ease.

Content management

  • Set data loss prevention policies: Set restrictions on sharing, clipboard, and screenshots to prevent the leaking of sensitive content.
  • Secure distribution and viewing: Distribute content in bulk to a sandboxed viewer that supports over 10 formats for documents, images, and videos.
  • Revoke access based on context: Prevent a user from viewing business data based on their location or device integrity status.
  • Encryption and backup policies: Enforce data encryption and prevent backups to third-party cloud services.

Security management

  • Device and app security: Set blocklist policies for passcodes, OS updates, apps, and URLs to ensure maximum protection for devices.
  • Remote actions for lost and stolen devices: Lock, raise the alarm on, locate, and wipe devices when misplaced or stolen.
  • Threat protection: Reduce the attack surface by allowing the installation of only approved apps, scan them for malware with Google Play Protect, and approve Wi-Fi networks to which devices can connect.
  • Geofencing policy: Let a user access data based on their device's presence or absence within a virtual geographic fence.

Kiosk management

  • Single- and multi-app lockdown: Lock down a device to a single app or a set of designated apps to ensure the right amount of access.
  • Customizable device functions: Choose which device functions and buttons are accessible to users.
  • Automated device lockdown: Use autonomous single-app kiosk mode to lock down apps based on predefined conditions, like time, session expiration, and location.
  • Customizable home screens: Set wallpapers to align with branding needs, arrange icons, adjust their sizes, and organize them in folders.

Remote troubleshooting

  • Remotely control devices: Remotely control the devices of over 25 original equipment manufacturers with the help of our remote control tool.
  • Unattended access: Ensure that even devices in isolated environments, like IoT devices, can be remotely checked with unattended access.
  • No extra setup or cost: Remote control is a one-click action included in our plan at no additional cost.
  • Send remote commands via chat: Use security commands during a troubleshooting session to pause and resume kiosk mode or restart and lock devices.

Location tracking

  • Track any device at any time: Know the whereabouts of your IT assets across Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices.
  • Comprehensive location reports: View and extract reports of locations that devices have traversed over a given period.
  • Geofencing policies: Set up alerts, quarantine, and perform remedial actions when devices enter or exit designated geographic fences.
  • Ensure privacy for BYOD users: Give BYOD users privacy while upholding data security with the option to track devices only when lost.

OS update management

  • Enforce, defer, and deny updates: Enforce system updates once released, delay them for a particular period, or deny them altogether.
  • Allow users to skip updates: Give users the option to skip updates so as not to hinder ongoing tasks.
  • Schedule updates: Deploy updates in scheduled batches to eliminate bandwidth-choking.
  • Update nontraditional devices: Deliver custom firmware over the air to IoT and rugged devices with the option to schedule the deployment.
 

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We have been using Mobile Device Manager Plus for over a year now, and it has assisted us in staying compliant with our organization's security and compliance policies. We are able to safeguard our customer data, track our devices, and implement policies over the air.

Syed Ahmad Rasool Sr. manager of technology security, Vodafone

Mobile Device Manager Plus is a powerful safeguard against the threat of corporate content coming into the wrong hands. This robust solution enables us to centralize all mobile devices on the same console as a web-portal which is segmented by countries. The access for local IT teams in each country is restricted to the mobile devices in their respective country, ensuring better security.

Abdoul Karim Barry Systems engineer, Microcred Group

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MDM 101: Overview of Mobile Device Management (MDM)

  • 1. What is MDM?

    Mobile device management (MDM) is the process of managing everything about the mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets etc., used in organizations. With more and more employees using one or all these devices, organizations across all sizes have turned to mobile device management for enhanced data security and improved productivity. MDM involves securing devices used for work, deciding which apps can be present them, and keeping them work-ready. Many businesses use a third-party mobile device management software such as Mobile Device Manager Plus to manage mobile devices. Mobile Device Management expanded its horizons to evolve into Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) and comprehensive MDM solutions also offer EMM capabilities.

  • 2. Why have organizations adopted the use of mobile devices?

    Mobile devices now have more capabilities than ever before, which has ultimately led to many enterprises adopting a mobile-only or mobile-first workforce. Many enterprises have also moved to a cloud-based infrastructure with mobile devices replacing conventional desktops. In these types of environments, both personal and corporate-owned mobile devices are the primary devices used for accessing or interacting with corporate data on-the-go.

  • 3. Why do organizations need mobile device management solutions?

    While mobile devices offer many advantages, they also come with their own set of problems, which highlight the importance of managing these devices. For one, multiple manufacturers, operating systems (OSs), and device types make managing enterprise mobile devices without an MDM solution much more difficult. Further, these devices, if vulnerable, can also result in data leaks. To leverage the portability of mobile devices and improve productivity without compromising security, you need a proper mobile device management system set up to simplify the challenge of managing mobile devices.

  • 4. What are the advantages of using an MDM solution?

    The right MDM application can make a world of difference for system administrators trying to manage mobile devices. An MDM solution makes managing all the different types of devices in an enterprise easy and efficient by compiling everything you need in one place. It lets you manage the apps being installed or removed on mobile devices, configure basic settings on devices, and set up devices that will be used for specific purposes, like point of sale (POS). Here are a few benefits that MDM solutions offer:

    • Increased productivity: Utilize a combination of policies like blocklisting non-enterprise apps during work hours to ensure employees are more productivity-focused.
    • Achieve compliance: Meet complex compliance standards like the GDPR, HIPAA, ISO, PCI, and, CJIS in just a few clicks.
    • Enhanced security: Protect corporate data on mobile devices, and prevent it from being shared or saved on third-party services.
    • Remote management: Manage devices over-the-air (OTA) without requiring any intervention from the user and troubleshoot devices to maintain user productivity.
  • 5. How is MDM Software used across industries?

    Here's how MDM can be utilized across industries:

    • Healthcare: With most healthcare organizations moving towards electronic health records (EHRs), mobile device use is more popular than ever in the healthcare sector. However, ensuring the personal health information (PHI) stored on mobile devices is secure and complying with regulatory standards like HIPAA can be a challenge. An MDM solution can help you meet compliance standards while also ensuring that PHI remains secure from unauthorized access by managing devices used in healthcare.
    • Transportation: Now that many enterprises are embracing mobility, one market that can benefit greatly from the advantages of MDM is the transportation industry. MDM lets businesses track shipments and vehicle locations as well as maintain a history of locations traversed. It also lets you lock down corporate devices to specific apps and/or settings to prevent device misuse and ensure maximum productivity.
    • Education: The transition to the digital age has affected no industry more than the education sector. With more and more schools adopting tablet-based teaching methods, it's essential to manage school devices to ensure they're only used for learning. Granular restrictions let you disable basic device functionalities such as the camera, as well as restrict access to certain websites.
    • Retail: Thanks to features like digital signage, mPOS, and self-service checkouts, mobile devices have found their niche in the retail sector. Some enterprises in the retail industry use mobile devices built for a specific need, while others use a combination of in-house apps and certain policies on more standard devices like phones and tablets. Both specialized devices such as rugged devices and standard mobile devices such as smartphones can be managed using an MDM solution.
    • Service: With most organizations in the service industry leaning towards a mobile-only or mobile-first workforce, mobile devices—especially employee-owned devices—are being used more than ever. An MDM solution helps you seamlessly manage personal devices (BYOD management) and in-house apps while also ensuring those devices adhere to your enterprise's security standards.
  • 6. What are the features of Mobile Device Manager Plus?

    Mobile Device Manager Plus is the solution for any enterprise looking for a complete mobile device management tool. Let's look at some of the features Mobile Device Manager Plus has to offer:

    • Quicker onboarding: Mobile Device Manager Plus supports multiple methods for enrollment, irrespective of whether the device is with the user or still sitting in one of your business' storerooms. With Mobile Device Manager Plus, you can quickly and easily onboard devices in bulk with no user action required. Learn more about Mobile Device Manager Plus' enrollment methods. It also helps with BYOD mobile device management i.e. mobile device management for personal devices, whereby you get to manage the workspace while having zero control over the personal space ensuring corporate data security without compromising on user privacy.
    • Efficient app management: Silently install both purchased and in-house apps, and predefine app permissions and settings OTA to ensure they’re ready for use immediately after installation. In addition to silent installation, you can also delete or update apps remotely without requiring any user intervention. Further, Mobile Device Manager Plus also helps you maintain licenses of paid apps. Learn more about app management.
    • Seamless policy management: Ensure devices are ready for use the moment they're handed over to employees by remotely pre-configuring basic settings for Wi-Fi, email, etc. Any configuration updates can also be made OTA. With Mobile Device Manager Plus, you can easily manage your BYOD environment by controlling all corporate aspects of a device while leaving personal data alone for a good balance between security and privacy.
    • Robust security management: Mobile Device Manager Plus provides you with a host of options for mobile security management—both proactive and reactive. In addition to granular restrictions, you can ensure only devices managed by Mobile Device Manager Plus can access corporate Exchange servers. Distribute corporate files to devices and sandbox them to ensure that mobile devices attempting to access corporate data can only do so using the MDM agent app present on the device, thereby preventing unauthorized access. You can also create a geofence policy to ensure corporate devices do not leave the premises. Should a device get stolen or go missing, you can secure it using Lost Mode as well as execute security commands to lock or wipe the device.
    • Comprehensive post-deployment management: In addition to simple device deployment, Mobile Device Manager Plus provides multiple settings for maintaining deployed devices, including periodic device scanning to update your device inventory; remote troubleshooting; and scheduling/automating OS updates to ensure the most secure OS version is running on each device
  • 7. Why should you deploy Mobile Device Manager Plus as your MDM solution?

    Mobile Device Manager Plus provides you flexibility and can be deployed on-premises or in private, public, or hybrid cloud environments, providing enterprises with the convenience of choosing a deployment method that caters to their business' specific needs. Moreover, it also integrates with help desk ticketing software, app development tools, and other business solutions to seamlessly fit into the organization's existing IT environment. After deployment, multiple OSs such as iOS, Android, Windows, and Chrome OS, as well as multiple device types such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones can be efficiently managed with Mobile Device Manager Plus.

  • 8. What is Mobile Device Management Software?

    MDM software, also known as Mobile Device Management software, is a solution that is used to centrally manage, monitor and secure mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It streamlines device administration, enforces security policies, and enables remote troubleshooting, ensuring efficient management of the mobile ecosystem while enhancing data security.

  • 9. Why do enterprises need a MDM software?

    Enterprises need MDM software, or Mobile Device Management software, to effectively manage and secure their mobile devices. With the increasing use of smartphones, tablets, and laptops in the workplace, MDM software provides a centralized platform for device enrollment, policy and security enforcement, application distribution. It ensures consistent device settings, enhances data security through encryption and remote wiping capabilities, and simplifies support through remote troubleshooting. MDM software is essential for enterprises to maintain control over their mobile ecosystem, protect sensitive data, and optimize device management processes.

  • 10. What are the benefits of using MDM Solutions?

    The benefits of using MDM solutions are,

    • MDM solutions streamline device management processes.
    • They enhance security through policy enforcement and remote wipe capabilities.
    • They improve productivity by facilitating quick device setup and offering remote troubleshooting and support.
    • MDM solutions can lead to cost savings by optimizing device usage and implementing BYOD policies.
    • They help organizations achieve regulatory compliance through tracking device usage and generating reports.
    • MDM solutions work by establishing a communication channel between a centralized server and mobile devices.
    • They enable remote configuration, application deployment, security enforcement, and device monitoring.
    • MDM solutions often utilize over-the-air (OTA) protocols for remote management.

    Overall, MDM solutions provide efficient device management, enhanced security, and increased productivity for enterprises.