Shopping for an MDM? Here’s What You Need to Know

Although there are many budget-friendly mobile device management (MDM) solutions in the marketplace today, even as recently as 2017, 70 percent of IT Admins hadn’t deployed an MDM. Since then, MDM software has improved, and the market has responded to the demand for excellent, easy-to-use options.

Whether you’re looking to migrate to different mobile device management software or you’re interested in setting up MDM support for the first time, here are four things you should know about MDM for Macs and iOS.

1: Apple Products Are Built to Facilitate MDM

Apple devices are built with mobile device management in mind. When you’re looking for a third-party vendor to provide MDM for your environment, you’re ensuring that your company data is protected, as well as your end user’s privacy.

Setting up your first MDM integration should be a painless process. With cloud-based software, you don’t need to have all the devices in one place to set up your Apple device management program; no on-premises management, no server spin-up.

2: You Can Onboard Users Easily Using Automated Enrollment

Enrolling devices is easy! Automate enrollment for new devices with your MDM Profile. That’s a win-win for you and your end user, as users receive their work devices with the pre-installed Apple device management system already set up. You can rest assured that proper policies are in place from the get-go.

However, an Apple management platform should offer you a few ways to enroll devices. Having options of seamlessly adding one device or a group of devices, with minimal end-user interaction, is key for choosing to deploy an agent. Having the option to do the same thing many ways will assist future troubleshooting (for individual devices and overall IT support).

3: Migrating to a New MDM Is Simple

The word “migration” may send a shiver down your spine, but it doesn’t have to be a complicated process. If you already have a remote environment set up, it’s likely you can use the device management system that’s already in place to test and roll out the installation of any new software.

Making the shift from one system to the other should be frictionless. Again, SaaS will only make your life easier. Plus, MDM solutions are more robust today than they were a few years ago. They often contain more than just an MDM product – they provide patch management, security management, mobility management, remote monitoring management… the list can and should go on.

If that’s not light at the end of the migration tunnel, we don’t know what is. The added value of having a robust platform and a highly responsive company on your side can’t be overstated.

4: An MDM Can Save You Money

One of the benefits of working with a cloud-based IT solution is that it keeps infrastructure costs low. Apple’s devices all come with a built-in “Find My iPhone” application, and its laser-focus on providing a secure, private experience for users extends to those who rely on Apple devices in enterprise scenarios, big or small.

When you think about the benefits of using mobile device management software at your company against the cost of the software, it’s hard to argue against it. A recent study by Oxford Economics finds the typical monthly cost of MDM is between $3.25 and $9 per device. Whether you have 10 employees or 50, the annual cost of replacing one missing laptop computer and securing all of your data will likely be more than the annual cost of your MDM software.

Mobile Device Management Is One Piece of a Complete Cloud-Based IT Solution

If your current solution struggles to manage your inventory of software and devices, you already know that your end users are probably struggling to keep up with updates, network security, and other support needs. If this is the case, you may need more than an MDM.

Let’s also talk about the time savers you and your team will get. With the visibility into your environment alone, you’ll quickly see which devices are accessing your network, where devices go in the event that one goes missing, which devices need some TLC, and more – the list goes on.

If you’re starting to think about a standalone device management system, be sure to step back and ask a bigger question: what other IT needs does your organization have?