Top 22 MDM: Mobile Device Management Software

A Buyer's Guide to MDM: Mobile Device Management Solutions

Mobile Device Management Buyer’s Guide
 
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is yet another remarkable invention of the imaginative mind. It is the smart response of the modern-day employees and executives who want to work both for the interest of the company and of themselves being in this exciting digital world. There are risks involve, however, in bringing and using your own mobile phone, tablet or mobile technology in the workplace. One is security of the enterprise data wherein the access of employees using their personal gadgets may cause network breach. Another issue is on how different device platforms (Android, Apple iOS, Windows, etc.) can be accommodated by the enterprise’s existing management information system. But the good news here is that there is the so-called Mobile Device Management (MDM) system, the technological response to the requirements of the BYOD programs.
 
MDM systems support BYOD programs in the sense that the first ensures that end-users under the later can fully benefit from the solution’s over-the-air services; whatever devices they are bringing in the workplace. More and more companies are now investing on MDM solutions because they are seeing the potential benefits of implementing BYOD programs. But the most important question right now is this: if you want to buy an MDM solution that could take full advantage of the benefits of BYOD, what solution will you choose? On this case, our Buyer’s Guide is the right point to begin. We at ITQlick.com are consisting of software experts who are aiming to provide support to every buyer of any software solution. And if it’s an MDM solution, reading this buyer’s guide will not only help you select the right software product, but it will also enhance your knowledge on implementing BYOD programs into your organization.
 
Types
How do you differentiate one MDM solution from another solution? It is always practical to begin your search for the right solution by understanding the different types of MDM packages offered by various providers. This is because when it comes to MDM product differentiation, a buyer’s knowledge on the types of solution, particularly the types under these three categories below, will help him choose the solution that is just right for his organization.
 
Deployment Model
There three known deployment models for MDM. They are the On-premise, Cloud-based or SaaS-based, and physical appliance deployment. In on-premise type, the client will deploy the software solution on its own server network. With cloud-based or SaaS-based solution, the client can access the MDM system via the internet using web browser. A physical appliance is consisting of the main server and the software solution in a single package.
 
Mobile Operating System
Employee’s personal devices can be running on different operating systems. Therefore, an MDM solution should be capable at least of supporting your employee’s devices running on different platforms. iOS, Blackberry, Android, Symbian, Mac OS X and Windows are the OS most MDM solutions are capable of supporting.
 
Integration with other Platforms
An MDM system that can be integrated with security and service management platforms can provide huge advantages, specifically on the part of the IT administrators. Server management systems must be protected against threats brought about by other application programs, and the to-be-integrated MDM solution is not an exemption. Consider checking the integration features of the MDM solution if they are compatible with your existing management information systems.
 
Features
One of the most important features to carefully examine in an MDM solution is security. Most enterprises today are deeply concerned about the protection of their big data. An MDM solution with security features for the management of devices and management of application programs is what these enterprises are looking for. Coupled with that, the level of BYOD policy being implemented enterprise-wide can also bring maximum control and organization on the management of devices and application programs. So, what security features should you look for in an MDM solution? The answer is more or less in this list of basic to advanced features of MDM solutions.
 
Basic usability features includes:
 

• Single Management Console
• Agent-based Enrolment Process
• User Profile Settings
• Real-time Dashboards
• Commands and Messaging
• Logging and Reporting
• Integration with Enterprise Systems

 
Security features to look for are:

• Enforcing device PIN/password usage
• Remote device lock/wipe
• Data encryption
• Jailbreak detection
• Data loss prevention

 
Device management features to consider are:

• Remote configuration capability
• Remote operating system and application updating
• Remote inventory capability
• Remote control capability

 
Application management features are:

• Applications whitelisting and blacklisting
• Enterprise app stores
• App security
• Data wipe by application

 
 
Solutions per Business Size, per Vendor
If it’s MDM solution, the market is consisting of hundreds of solution providers that offer packages with tons of features and benefits. From the list of features we presented above, it is important that your potential solution provider has these features on its offers. On top of that, since implementing MDM solution is a crucial milestone in every organization, it is of paramount importance that both the employer and the employees must not be interrupted as much as possible by a poorly implemented system. So before we provide to you the list of solution providers that can possibly become you partner in your BYOD programs, let us give you first these practical advices in selecting the right provider.
 

1. Analyze your organization’s needs relevant to the mobile devices’ performance and availability. Are your employees’ devices capable enough of performing their task or work responsibilities? Would it be better to encourage employees to use corporate-owned devices instead of their own devices? Are they subscribed to data plan and call subscriptions? If yes, what arrangement or measure relevant to these subscription plans can bring win-win situation between employees and the company?

 

1. Consider the ranges of applications that you want your MDM system to handle. Will they be more on data storage, computing tools, or collaboration apps? The weight and volume of apps that your solution will host are important factors when choosing between deployment models for MDM.

 

1. Identify with the help of your IT team the security and compliance requirements of your existing infrastructures. What are your needs when it comes to data access, data storage and data transmission? How about the SSL and VPN connectivity requirements?

 
By taking these important steps, it would be easy on your part to identify the list of features that must go with the solution of your choice. A solution that offers flexibility in addressing virtually any device or platform can be an excellent choice. However, your employees’ full participation in your BYOD program is also an important matter to consider.
 
Here is now the list of solutions providers, in no particular order, where you can consider taking the above three important steps.

• AmTel MDM
• Dialogs Smartman
• IBM
• Symantec
• Zenprise
• AirWatch
• Fiberlink
• Good Technology
• MobileIron
• SAP
• Boxtone 
• McAfee
• Mobile Active Defense
• Tangoe
• Zencloud

 
Pricing Considerations
Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM), Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Mobile Application Management (MDM) are the terms that often describe the plans and packages offered by many MDM solution providers. While they are attractive to read and explore, the overall appreciation for any package solution can be well-justified by the price tag that is attach to it. The ranges of prices in MDM solutions are based on the number of users, number of devices, and per contract period. Here are the prevailing price offerings in the market today.
 

• On the average, the price per device per annual subscription offered by majority of solutions provider is $50 for cloud-based solutions. For on-premise solutions, this basically includes one-time fee for the perpetual license and annual maintenance fee. The average price is $60 per device.

 

• Per user pricing averages $50 per user per device per month. Some vendors offer discounts on their offered plans as the number of user increases. On the other hand, pricing can also significantly increase base on the level of user (ex. manager, executive).

 

• The average pricing per endpoints or end nodes is $15 per seat. This usually includes the device license, software subscription, and one year support.

 
You will likely encounter different plans with different features and of course, with varying price tags. Basic plans include workspace, app catalog, email, browsing, content management and app wrapping features. Plans for integrated suite types include expense management, device geolocation, mobile apps control, and advanced mobile security features.
 
Considering the financial cost involve in the acquisition of an MDM solution, every enterprise should think of ways on how they can reduce the MDM solution’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Intensive planning and research are excellent pre-deployment moves while self-enrolment system can ease your IT team’s burden during post-deployment activities.
 
Market Trends
The BYOD program, as an enterprise strategy, is continuously gaining adoption among enterprises today, whether small or large. The volume of users of mobile gadgets like tablets and smartphones is projected to become three times of the volume last 2013. A report also says that a whooping 7.5 billion mobile devices will be in the hands of the global workers by 2015.
 
However, analysts say that the MDM industry is in a brink of collapse. One of the foreseen reasons by industry experts is the uncontrollable out-of-the box standards in MDM functionality that are being created by software providers for BYOD platforms. Another reason is the stiff competition among 128 solution providers that is eventually slowing down the market penetration of the MDM solution. The preference of employees in using devices with different OS is another challenge most solution providers are facing at this point.
 
On the positive side, while these forecasts may hold true some years from now, what’s certain is that many enterprises will still continue to adopt MDM solutions over the next five years. Solution providers will certainly find better ways on how they can provide MDM solutions that follows a certain level standard.
 
BYOD program has proven its worth and MDM solution has been its best partner in the past several years. There is no doubt BYOD can also help your organization and MDM software product is definitely the right solution to consider buying within this year.

ITQlick chart - 2021 best MDM: Mobile Device Management Software

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