A Quick Guide to MDM
Thousands of IT admins decide to invest in mobile device management (MDM) technology every month.
To help them, 42Gears has written The Ultimate Guide to Mobile Device Management, a one-stop-shop for any questions you might have about mobile device management.
To keep our Medium readers up-to-date, here’s a quick preview of what you can find in the Guide.
For more detailed answers, visit the Guide on 42Gears’ website!
What is mobile device management?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) software is the approach used by companies to remotely monitor, manage, and secure devices of all kinds, including (but not limited to) mobile devices. Just as a store manager watches over and disciplines store employees, someone with MDM software can watch over and control phones and other devices.
(Read the corresponding section of the Guide for a more detailed answer, and definitions of related terms like EMM and UEM.)
Why should I use one?
An MDM solution lets you improve many aspects of your organization at once, instead of making improvements one-by-one. Although setting up an MDM solution requires time and planning, it will show its value quickly, with sustained benefits over time.
(The full Guide has a more detailed answer, including a questionnaire to determine whether your needs require an MDM solution.)
What are Mobile Application Management (MAM) and Mobile Content Management (MCM)?
MAM features manage specific apps, rather than controlling the way the entire device works, as MDM features do. Effectively using an MDM solution’s app management features will improve security and keep employees on-task.
The purpose of MCM is to manage files and other content, with a focus on protecting sensitive data. If used consistently, content management tools significantly reduce the likelihood of sensitive documents being leaked to third parties.
(The full Guide has a full description of all MDM components, what they mean, and why they matter.)
How do I choose a deployment method? What options do I have?
When setting up an MDM solution, firms must choose between two deployment methods. This is an important choice, as it will have a significant impact on how you operate and maintain the MDM solution later on. These two methods — on-premise and cloud-based — both have advantages and disadvantages, and there is no “right answer” that applies to every organization.
We hope this was helpful!
If any of what you’ve read intrigues you, check out the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Device Management now or review the rest of 42Gears’ portfolio on Medium.
