MDM (Mobile Device Management) : Definition and Implementation

MDM, also known as Mobile Device Management, is an essential tool for meeting the challenges of mobility and team flexibility, as well asorganization, security and data management.

But what exactly is an MDM? Why are they essential in today's organizations? Rzilient gives you a few tips on how to get started.

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What is Mobile Device Management?

Definition of MDM

The Mobile Device Management is a software application that manages an organization's IT fleet of mobile devices (PCs, mobiles, tablets), to optimize operation and security, regardless of the device's operating system. It's crucial for efficient, secure use of IT resources

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History of the MDM

Today, companies need to implement robust mobile device management (MDM) strategies, or risk productivity losses, costly security breaches and loss of control over data management. What's more, the benefits and functionalities of such software are numerous. In particular, investment in MDM has enabled companies to cope with the widespread adoption of telecommuting in March 2020.

The principle of Mobile Device Management was born in the 2000s when Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), such as digital tablets, began to appear.

It has been designed to help, first of all, the management of phones in companies to avoid that employees do anything with sometimes sensitive data.

The principle has been adopted for other IT equipment, and has become increasingly popular with the development of the cloud. Today, some companies operate 100% with online storage solutions, or cloud computing solutions that require rigorous data management (such as Rzilient).

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How does mobile device management work?

In concrete terms, MDM is based on the installation of an agent (or application) on each mobile device. This agent is linked to a management console, hosted in the cloud or on your company's servers.

1. Enrolling devices
   Each terminal is registered in the MDM console to associate it with a user and assign the appropriate security rules.
2. Automatic configuration
   Once the device has been enrolled, the software applies the settings defined in advance (Wi-Fi access, e-mail accounts, authorized applications, etc.).
3. Real-time supervision
   Administrators have a global view of device health: operating system version, installed applications, location, etc. They can receive alerts if abnormal behavior is detected. They can receive alerts if abnormal behavior is detected.
4. Remote management
   In the event of loss, theft or non-compliance with security policies, the administrator can remotely lock or even wipe the device.
5. Centralized updates
   The IT team can push software updates to all terminals, ensuring that each has the same version and security patches.

The benefits of MDM solutions for SMEs

Mobile Device Management isn't just for big companies: it's also an advantage for small and medium-sized businesses, offering cost savings and customized configuration tailored to the policies and standards of each structure.

In addition to simplifying the use and management of a large number of business-critical mobile devices outside corporate infrastructures, MDM facilitates the management and maintenance of your terminals, and secures your data.

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1. Remote management

As long as your teams are connected to the Internet with the device, MDM is essential for remote management, especially if your company has adopted flexible device management, policies such as Bring Your Own Device (as is the case at Rzilient!) or remote/hybrid work environments.

It allows to:

• perform onboarding ;
• do the offboarding ;
• run updates through FOTA (Firmware Over the Air);
• manage OS / operating systems ;
• deploy security policies on devices;
• control the errors of an entire fleet of terminals;
• perform troubleshooting ;
• block equipment in the event of loss or theft ;
• make an inventory of active terminals;
• monitor communications in real time.

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2. Securing the data

Implementing an MDM solution in your organization helpsprevent your sensitive data from leaking out in the event of loss, theft or hacking. Having the ability to manage all devices remotely and perform various actions quickly becomes in this context a major asset that will enable you in a single click to :

• geolocate the device ;
• block it and wipe.

For that, some preliminary actions are to be set up for the good security:

• enroll the devices;
• update the operating systems ;
• deploy applications and updates;
• deploying security policies.

3. Access and user management

In addition to securing terminals, MDM centralizes the management of access rights for each employee. You define precisely which resources and services (applications, files, intranet) can be accessed by each user or group of users.

It enables :

• precise control;
• simplified management with a single click;

4. Device monitoring and follow-up

MDM solutions generally offer a comprehensive dashboard to monitor the status of each terminal in real time. You can see who has which OS version, which applications are installed, whether storage space is almost full, and so on.

It allows to:

• full visibility;
• receive real-time alerts;

5. Application installation and updating

Installing and maintaining applications is often one of IT's most time-consuming tasks. With MDM, you benefit from :

• centralized deployment;
• automatic updates;

Implement a Mobile Device Management in your organization

MDM encompasses the management of devices, applications, security and network services. This sprawling management is a real challenge for any business or iT manager, both in terms of time and financial resources. To alleviate this responsibility and concern, why not outsource your mobile device management?

By outsourcing these issues, you can save a lot of money, relieve your iT teams, implement increased security and benefit from theexpertise of a specialized company.

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To choose the offer that best suits your needs, here are some sample questions to ask yourself:

• Does the offering have remote wiping and locking capabilities?
• Does it offer the possibility to manage all the settings of your mobile devices, etc?
• Do you have regular reports on the operating status of your terminals and any breakdowns that may occur?
• Does the company offer remote support solutions?

To conclude, here are the key MDM elements to remember

• Security and confidentiality: your company's data remains protected, even if a device is lost or stolen.
• Remote management: from a single console, you can deploy and modify configurations or applications across the entire mobile fleet.
• Optimized productivity: employees quickly get the tools they need, without complicated procedures.
• Access control: you define exactly who can access which resources, and you can review these rights at any time.
• Monitoring and updates: you can quickly spot any faults or non-compliant devices, and rectify them in just a few clicks.

In short, mobile devices are increasingly ubiquitous in our daily lives, necessary to the functioning of our organizations, and the applications they host are flooding the market. Against this backdrop, mobile surveillance is becoming a major issue. A growing number of companies have chosen to install an MDM solution to manage their mobile devices, and this figure is rising steadily.

At Rzilient we offer asingle platform solution that allows you to manage all your IT equipment and your entire team in one place.

In addition to securing andmanaging your mobile devices with MDM, we offer a number of complementary services: ultra-fast troubleshooting when needed; personalized assistance and reconditioned devices for your IT fleet.

You want to know more? Why don't we discuss it together?

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Sources

What is mobile device management (MDM)? | IBM

MDM: Mobile Device Management

Why MDM for Small Business is so Important | Benefits & Solutions | Electric