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5 Reasons Every Business Regardless of Size Should Implement Mobile Device Management
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs are continually increasing in popularity. More companies are realizing the benefits of allowing employees to use their own devices to get company work done. Most employees are happy to only carry one device, while companies are happy to avoid buying devices for each employee.
While many business organizations are adopting BYOD programs faster than ever before, their use and implementation of security policies still lags far behind. According to a study done by Acronis, only 31% of companies mandate device passcodes on personally-owned devices used for company purposes, and only 20% train their staff in BYOD security best practices.
Mobile device management (MDM) software is an automated way for employers to enforce policies on both company-owned and BYOD program devices. From centralized security and compliance to saving time for IT staff, MDM software or policies can make life much easier for both companies and their employees. In this article, the top five reasons why every business should implement MDM software or policies will be discussed.
1. With MDM, Security and Compliance is Easy and Standardized
The primary advantage of using an MDM solution guaranteeing that company data is stored and accessed securely on personally owned devices. Without MDM, companies would have to manually verify that every employee uses a secure passcode on their phone for instance. Similarly, organizations who do not use MDM are unable to remotely wipe company data from the phone of an employee if the employee leaves the company.
Frequently and regularly updating the operating system on every device with access to sensitive data is a crucial step for keeping data secure. Unpatched operating systems and software have security vulnerabilities which can be exploited by attackers to steal data or install malware. In addition to many other security- and compliance-related settings, MDM solutions can enforce that users install software updates on a regular basis, preventing many kinds of attacks and issues down the road.
2. MDM is Affordable
Although MDM initially became popular with large enterprises, it is now quite accessible for businesses of all sizes, including startups and small businesses. MDM software can be acquired on a per-user or per-device basis, so it is very affordable for businesses with small numbers of devices. Some MDM software companies even offer a free tier for a few devices or with very limited features. Some that may already be deployed in the enterprise allow enforcing of policies on connected devices without the need for specialized MDM software and this approach can be minimal in cost to implement.
A variety of vendors offer hosted MDM software which integrates with either or both of the major mobile operating systems, Android and iOS. Originally, most MDM solutions focused on one operating system. These days, most solutions support both, providing the most comprehensive solution for organizations with BYOD programs or a mix of devices.
Companies utilizing a managed IT service provider such as Outsource IT can also get their MDM needs fulfilled the same way that they solve other IT issues.
3. MDM Solutions Improve Onboarding Speed and Consistency
Setting up devices for company use is an important part of the onboarding process for many organizations. Companies with BYOD programs may not need to provide employees with company owned smartphones or other mobile devices, however employees will still need to install software and set up the accounts they need to access company resources.
Compared to manually installing and setting up all required software when onboarding a new employee, enrolling a single device in an MDM program is simple. As soon as the device is enrolled and the MDM payload is installed, the device can be remotely instructed to automatically install apps and set up accounts.
On both iOS and Android, companies can even develop or purchase internal-only apps, which are only accessible to users enrolled in the MDM solution used at the company. Whether it is for app testing during development or finding out what is for lunch at the cafeteria, the combination of MDM and internal-only apps can be powerful for businesses.
4. Reduce IT Needs with MDM Solutions
Through their improved security, consistency, and low cost, MDM solutions can free internal or external IT providers from solving mundane issues and routine helpdesk tickets. Instead of setting up company accounts or reminding users to update their phones, IT teams can focus on higher-level activities.
Practically every issue solved by MDM solutions, from simplifying onboarding to preventing security issues, is something that would otherwise require significant manual effort from IT staff. MDMs turn repetitive effort into a few clicks on a centralized dashboard, saving time and increasing IT efficiency.
5. Data Backup and Recovery Is Easier and More Automated with MDM
As with device passcodes, enforcing regular backups of devices with company data is challenging. MDM solutions solve this problem once and for all by giving IT administrators the option to automatically back up managed devices. Whether using iCloud Backup on iOS, backing up to a Google Account on Android, or even a corporate backup solution, MDM makes backups consistent and easy.
Some MDM solutions are smart enough to separate personal and work data on BYOD devices, backing up only the information that belongs to the company. Depending on compliance regulations and legal issues, companies may only be able to store company data on their servers.
Takeaways
Like other pieces of IT infrastructure and products used for company purposes, mobile devices must be managed and secured adequately. Mobile device management solutions allow this task to be much easier and consistent.
Automatically enforcing security and compliance policies, making onboarding easy and fast, solving backup and disaster recovery issues, and reducing human IT involvement are all advantages of using an MDM solution. Best of all, the technology is affordable for companies of all sizes.
Outsource IT has been helping businesses manage their devices and IT infrastructure for two decades. With our extensive experience keeping devices running smoothly and securely, we are the best choice for your organization’s IT needs. Reach out to an Outsource IT account manager to learn more.
