The Need for Mobile Device Management

Mobile Devices Pose New Challenges for IT: The drive towards increased mobility has produced a wide range of portable and handheld devices, including laptop computers, smartphones, iPods, iPads, PDAs, and more. These mobile devices have flooded the workplace and on one hand bring great opportunities for increased productivity, accessibility, and collaboration. On the other hand, mobile devices have created a massive challenge for IT management since these devices travel with their owners and have their own distinctive operating systems. Complicating matters even more is the fact that confidential and critical company information is often stored on these devices.

Introducing Mobile Device Management (MDM)

In response to the rampant use of mobile devices and the related surge of applications, mobile device management (MDM) tools have been introduced, allowing IT administrators to monitor the operation of tablets, androids, and other devices in the same way that they oversee the operation of conventional desktop computers. The goal of MDM is to optimize both the security and functionality of mobile devices.

MDM Capabilities

Thanks to MDM software, a solution has now been found for managing mobile devices used in the workplace. With the new technology, company and employee-owned mobile devices can be secured, monitored, and managed. How does it work? In a nutshell, mobile devices are stored as assets along with the rest of the company’s IT assets (i.e. computer hardware & software, network devices, routers, printers, etc.), giving IT staff control over the devices entering their IT management system. Since MDM technology is integrated into the existing asset management interface, mobile devices can be seen and tracked along with the rest of the assets in the system. Similarly, IT management and security policies can be extended to mobile devices.

MDM capabilities include remotely configuring mobile devices (a single device or a set of devices), remote troubleshooting, sending software and operating system updates, the ability to remotely lock and wipe a device which is lost or suspected stolen, and more. Furthermore, by incorporating mobile devices into the existing network employees have the liberty to choose the device of their liking and to have it permitted inside the corporate firewall.

Information Collected by MDM

What type of device information does MDM capture?

• Name (of the mobile device)
• Ownership
• Phone Number
• Home Carrier (the mobile device’s primary service provider)
• SIM card identification number (ICC)
• Hardware identification number (IMEI)
• Operating system version
• Installed software (apps)
• Asset serial number

Remote Mobile Device Management Capabilities

MDM technology allows IT departments to remotely monitor and manage any mobile device enrolled in their system. MDM remote capabilities include:

• Create and modify mobile device policies
• Reset passcodes
• Track installed apps
• Deploy WiFi and email settings
• Secure confidential or critical company data
• Device Wipe: In the case of a lost or stolen mobile device, all stored data can be wiped out (erased) with a few over the air clicks
• Device Lock: For safety and security measures, any mobile device can be remotely locked; to reenter and resume using the device, users must know the device passcode

If your organization could benefit from a secure mobile communications network which is cost-effective and which does not compromise security, employee privacy, or the incomparable mobile experience – it’s time to invest in mobile device management software.

To enter mobile devices into your IT management system and to manage all your mobile devices as assets from one central location, invest in SysAid Mobile Device Management tools developed by SysAid Technologies, a leading provider of IT management solutions.