Mobile Device Management is a cloud-based security solution that helps IT admins control devices remotely and securely. MDM software is best suited for organizations with large mobile device deployments such as BYOD programs.
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MDMs have evolved rapidly over the past few years, with new features being developed regularly. Today's MDM offerings are more mature than ever and offer a number of unique features that set them apart from their competitors.
In this article, we look at six MDM solutions worth checking out. We'll also discuss what makes these products so compelling and why you should consider using one for your organization's mobile device management needs.
Pair of chickens:
- What is an MDM?
- Who Uses MDM?
- Best MDM solutions: Our top 6 tips
- Mobile security features you need
What is an MDM?
Mobile device management is a technology that allows IT administrators to manage the configuration and management of mobile devices running on the corporate network. You can use it to configure and secure corporate devices or deploy applications and services. MDM also allows IT admins to customize policies for each device and apply them to users.
MDM gives IT admins granular control over their employees' mobile devices, whether they're at work or on the go. The MDM solution manages all aspects of a user's device, including security settings, apps, policies, and more. It can also be used to provide centralized management of physical servers and desktops.
MDM is a common term for two different technologies:
- Software applications that help IT departments manage and secure mobile devices. You can also use them to provide centralized management of physical servers and desktops.
- A type of software that provides remote control and management capabilities for a company's fleet of mobile devices, e.g. B. smartphones, tablets, wearables and other connected devices.
Who Uses MDM?
Deploying an MDM solution is best suited for organizations with a large number of mobile workers who need to access corporate resources from multiple locations around the world. Many companies use MDMs to manage employee data and productivity tools like email, social media, and instant messaging tools. Some companies also use MDM solutions to manage corporate devices such as laptops or tablets, allowing employees to work from anywhere in the world without worrying about losing access to important business information.
MDM solutions are intended to be used by security teams, mobile operators and IT administrators who are responsible for the data security of their organizations. MDM enables these teams to secure all of their employees' mobile devices with a single solution.
Best MDM solutions: Our top 6 tips
There are several MDM solutions available, but not all are right for every business or organization. Here are six that we think are worth checking out.
1. Citrix Endpoint Management (previous XenMobile)
This is one of the most popular options as it is an all-in-one solution that includes management tools and security features. The solution supports Android, iOS devices, Mac and Windows PCs.
The Citrix solution provides a comprehensive management console that enables you to set policies for your employees, manage mobile device access to corporate data, and monitor the health of your devices. The software offers features like remote wipe, remote lock, remote web wipe, app management (including app permissions) and Android App Control (AAC).
This solution allows you to track lost or stolen devices using GPS location technology. You can also set up a local agent on each device to notify you if there's a problem.
2. ManageEngine Plus mobile device manager
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus is an enterprise mobile device management solution that allows you to manage all your devices from a single dashboard. The software supports Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices over WiFi or cellular networks.
The app also allows for easy deployment of apps without requiring any additional files on the device directly from the installer. This solution includes tools like device control and Active Directory integration that can help IT pros monitor employee devices from anywhere in the world using any internet-connected device.
3. Jamf Pro
Jamf Pro is a complete MDM solution that includes device management, application control, encryption and more. This software works with Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Jamf offers a comprehensive solution that puts you in complete control of your mobile devices.
The solution provides an end-to-end solution for managing all aspects of a device including configuration, security and applications. Jamf is easy to install, configure, and manage so you can start using it right away.
Jamf Pro offers a variety of features for organizations large and small. The platform allows administrators to manage users on corporate devices such as Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. The platform also offers remote wipe functionality. This allows administrators to remotely wipe all data from employee devices without logging into their corporate network.
Another great feature of Jamf Pro is the ability to manage multiple devices by supporting multiple users. This feature makes it easy for admins to assign different permissions so different groups of users can use them in an organization.
The platform also offers extensive reporting capabilities so administrators can see exactly how much money they are saving by using mobile devices in their organization. Suitable for both enterprise and consumer environments, Jamf Pro can be used to enforce policies across the enterprise. This MDM solution is suitable for smaller businesses that do not require all the features offered by Citrix or ManageEngine solutions.
4. Exit MobiControl
Soti MobiControl is an enterprise-class MDM software that allows you to manage multiple devices at the same time from a console interface. The software comes with a unified solution that allows you to monitor all your devices in one place and manage them from one interface. Soti MobiControl offers full mobile management functions such as application installation, configuration management, security management and policy enforcement for business users on their smartphones or tablets.
You can deploy Soti MDM as a hybrid system with Android Enterprise, a mature platform that provides enterprise-level security and compliance controls for Android devices. The company also offers an enterprise-grade application management solution called MDM Server Console, which allows remote access to managed devices through a web browser or mobile device.
Soti works with Windows, Android and iOS devices and is available as a cloud-based solution or as a local package on your network. Soti is easy to set up and use, but it comes with a few downsides. For example, the software requires some technical knowledge to configure it properly. Also, if you have more than one employee who needs to access corporate data from their device, it can be difficult as they need different policies and profiles.
The good news is that Soti offers a free trial so you can try it before you buy it. If you decide it doesn't meet your needs, you can cancel at any time without penalty or fee.
5. Microsoft-Intune
Microsoft has been a pioneer in mobile device management for many years. Microsoft Intune offers a complete, end-to-end solution for managing Windows smartphones and tablets - including deploying apps, configuring settings, providing compliance reports, and monitoring the activity of all apps on your device – at scale for multiple organizations.
Intune is also one of the most popular MDM solutions with a wide range of integrations and support for on-premises and cloud deployments. Intune offers a full suite of services that includes an MDM product, mobile app management solution, enterprise mobility management (EMM), app delivery, IT management console, and more.
Intune provides preconfigured device images that you can customize to meet your organization's needs. The service works with iOS, Android and Windows devices. The software also supports native integration with Android Wear, Apple Watch and Microsoft Office 365 for business.
6. Hexnode-MDM
Hexnode MDM is another cloud-based MDM solution from Hexnode Software that allows IT admins to create policies for their employees' mobile devices. With this solution, IT admins can control which apps are allowed on devices and configure device settings such as screen time restrictions or whether a user can make calls from a specific device.
Hexnode MDM is an enterprise mobile management solution that can manage multiple Android devices in large organizations. Hexnode is an open source project that aims to extend the capabilities of Android Enterprise by providing support for other operating systems such as Linux and Windows Server. That means you can use it to manage any type of device, whether it runs on Android or not. Hexnode MDM also supports multiple apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and more.
The platform also supports different providers and multiple Android versions at the same time. The app offers various security features like push notifications, remote wipes and more.
Mobile security features you need
Not all MDM solutions are the same. Although they share some common features, each has unique features and benefits that make them the best solution for your business. To help you choose the best MDM solution for your business, we've created a list of features to look for when choosing an MDM.
data encryption
Data encryption protects your data by encrypting it before it is sent over the network or stored on your device. Only you can decrypt your data if you want to access it. Data encryption is available over secure WiFi, cellular networks, and encrypted internal storage such as microSD cards and USB drives.
The main difference in mobile security features between different MDM solutions is whether or not they offer encryption services. If your organization doesn't need encryption, it's not worth paying for the premium features of a premium solution. However, if you need encryption, an MDM that offers encryption is essential.
application management
Another important feature that sets MDMs apart is application management. You can manage some applications separately from their underlying operating system. Other applications require full access to the operating system and its internal components such as databases, so it's important to understand what each MDM can manage.
In-App Purchase Protection
You can use this feature to restrict in-app use purchases on your device. It gives you control over which apps you can use for in-app purchases and for how long. Some apps may even require users to enter their password before making an in-app purchase.
equipment cleaning
When you erase an Android device, all your data will be lost and restored to factory settings, including all installed apps, files, bookmarks, and the operating system itself. You can use this feature to erase a device remotely or if necessary if you forgot your password or lock pattern on your phone.
App Permissions
With this feature, you can grant specific apps access to specific resources so that they don't become intrusive while you're using them. For example, if you want a certain app to access your location when you're using it, you'll need to allow it.
App Lock
This feature allows people with access to a device (such as employees) to lock down specific apps so only those who know their passwords can use them. If someone wants to access an app but doesn't know the password, they won't be able to access the app.
Device Provisioning
Device provisioning is a new feature in Android 9 Pie that allows you to quickly and easily configure security devices from an app. It's a great way to lock your device including wiping the content and enabling the password. With device provisioning, you can create an account that is associated with a device so that only the user can access it. You can also use device provisioning to create a new phone number for each of your devices.
Patch-Management
You must download and install all updates to protect your phone from vulnerabilities. You can do this with automatic updates or manually. You can also activate the automatic update function.
Application Deployment
To ensure your apps are up to date and secure, you need to enable the app deployment feature on your phone. This allows you to install new versions of applications without losing data or settings. It also provides a central location where all installed applications are stored.
central log
Centralized logging allows users to log events such as authentication failures to a central location instead of having them all written to individual log files. This makes it easier for IT pros and helpdesk staff to troubleshoot problems with lost or stolen devices.
management reports
Administrators can use this feature to get detailed information about the devices they manage through reports that include device status, security logs, and configuration details.
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