SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

SMTP is the internet standard communication protocol for electronic mail transmission. In MDM environments, MDM servers use SMTP to send email notifications for events like enrollment completion, policy violations, security alerts, and compliance reports.

What to Know

SMTP enables MDM platforms to deliver critical alerts and reports via email, providing notification channels that reach admins even when they’re not actively monitoring dashboards. Email notifications for compliance violations, failed check-ins, or security events enable timely response to issues requiring immediate attention. SMTP also enables automated reporting, with MDM systems generating scheduled compliance reports, device inventory summaries, or security audit logs delivered via email to stakeholders who may not have direct MDM access. Email remains a universal notification channel accessible across all devices and platforms.

However, SMTP configuration requires careful attention to security and deliverability. Modern email systems employ aggressive spam filtering, and MDM notification emails may be flagged as spam without proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration. SMTP credentials must be secured, as compromised SMTP accounts enable spam campaigns that damage organizational reputation. Many organizations use dedicated SMTP relay services (SendGrid, Mailgun) rather than direct SMTP to ensure deliverability and offload email infrastructure management.

Common Scenarios

Enterprise IT: Corporate MDM platforms integrate with internal Exchange servers or Office 365 SMTP relays to send alert notifications and scheduled reports. IT must configure SMTP authentication, ensure firewalls permit outbound SMTP traffic (typically port 587 for submission or 465 for SMTPS), and verify SPF records authorize the MDM server to send email on behalf of the corporate domain. Alert subscriptions should be carefully configured to avoid notification fatigue — excessive low-priority alerts train admins to ignore emails, missing critical security events.

MSP: MSPs configure SMTP for client MDM instances to deliver alerts to client IT contacts and MSP technicians. Multi-tenant configurations may use dedicated SMTP accounts per client or centralized relay services that track email delivery per client for billing purposes. MSPs should implement email deliverability monitoring to detect when client spam filters block MDM notifications, potentially causing missed alerts. Email templates should clearly identify the client, device, and issue severity to enable rapid triage.

Education: School districts configure SMTP to deliver daily or weekly device compliance reports to district technology coordinators, providing visibility into managed device fleet health without requiring daily dashboard monitoring. Notification emails for lost or stolen device reports enable rapid response to device security incidents. Education IT should configure appropriate recipient lists for different alert types, ensuring security incidents reach appropriate personnel without overwhelming general IT staff with routine operational notifications.

In Addigy

Addigy provides built-in email notification capabilities without requiring admins to configure SMTP servers, handling email delivery infrastructure automatically. Administrators configure email alert subscriptions and report schedules through the Addigy console, specifying which events trigger notifications and which recipients receive them. Addigy supports customizable alert thresholds and notification grouping to prevent alert fatigue while ensuring critical events reach appropriate personnel.

For organizations requiring integration with internal email systems or custom SMTP relays, Addigy can accommodate custom configurations. Addigy’s notification system includes options for immediate alerts, digest summaries, and scheduled reports, providing flexibility in how admins receive information about managed fleet status. Administrators can configure notification preferences per user, ensuring each team member receives relevant alerts without unnecessary noise.