Mobile Device Management: What Are The Best Product Options?

The implications of managing mobile devices for everything — from work productivity to entertainment — are constantly evolving.

Today’s IT departments are addressing mobile device management (MDM) topics and scenarios such as “geofencing capabilities”, “policy-based security”, and “device layers.” In the past decade, mobile communications have radically evolved and, if history is any indication, they will continue to do so. The ability to adapt, evolve and implement policies and software solutions that enable mobile transformation is not only essential, but a priority.

Product Considerations

Software companies are continually introducing software, hardware, and systems that allow their customers to focus on their businesses within the ever-changing climate of MDM (also known as enterprise mobility management (EMM)). To be relevant in today’s mobile digital climate, MDM software must:

• Function across multiple service providers.
• Support essential operating systems and platforms.
• Enable remote locking, configuration, wiping, and detection.
• Integrate with current application, IT, and administrative systems.
• Complement company-issued mobile devices and report device activity

In addition, MDM software must stem from forward-thinking concepts with respect to current, and projected threats and obstacles. In a nutshell, MDM products must integrate tech-savviness, ingenuity, and creativity.

G2 Top-Rated MDM Products

When researching MDM software that might be right for your company, it is pertinent to align your business needs with the highlighted features of each product. Sources, like G2, can enhance your decision-making process through their aggregation of online product reviews. G2’s most recent aggregation listed the following products in its “Top 10”:

• Jamf Pro
• Rippling
• Scalefusion
• Fleetsmith
• Jamf Now
• Hexnode MDM
• ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus
• Microsoft Enterprise Mobility
• Addigy
• IBM Security MaaS360

Security & Device Enrollment

Policy-based security and device enrollment are fairly-standard features of the MDM products listed above. Device enrollment, in particular, can be a tedious process; so many of the products streamline it through automated processes.

Several MDM products include free trials, for a limited time, which help you determine if they will satisfy your business needs. Varying in price, from a monthly (per-device usage) to a yearly cost, these products accommodate the range of budgetary allowances and restraints found amongst different companies.

PCMag Top-Rated MDM Products

PCMag.com states that enrollment, accessibility, data security, user-friendliness, and customizable dashboards displaying key data should be at the forefront of your MDM system. In a recent review roundup, the publication listed the following solutions in its “Top 8”:

• AppTec360 Mobility Management
• Baramundi Management Suite
• SOTI MobileControl
• VMware AirWatch
• Citrix XenMobile
• Microsoft Intune
• IBM MaaS360