In today’s office and business environment mobility and communication is the greatest factor of production. One common fact is that people are always on their smart phones, laptops and tablets even when they are in their work place. Now, the main challenge is that with escalating mobile activities, there is growing concern for security among organizations. This calls for the use of sophisticated mobile device management systems to secure and manage mobile applications.

What is Mobile Device Management?

Mobile device management is security software used by information technology departments and security experts to manage, monitor, and secure mobile devices on multiple service providers or mobile operating systems in an organization. This means that end-to-end security can be enhanced: mobile applications, network, and data used in the mobile devices are managed from one source with single device management software.

Capabilities of mobile device management applications:

1. Mobile applications for video surveillance – one can communicate using video clips for security events. Remote videos in other devices can also be viewed. Moreover, videos of outdoor areas, sensitive and secured places can be viewed and monitored.

2. Mobile applications for access control – user credentials can be accessed, added, changed or deleted. In addition, alerts for unauthorized entries can be configured. Sensitive areas and reports of the business security can be remotely accessed and sent.

3. Mobile applications for intrusion detection – email and texts alerts on intrusion in cases of motion detection and system disarm are sent in near real time. Furthermore, alarm systems can be disarmed and armed remotely.

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Reasons to use mobile Security management Applications:

1. Get Business Insights: Small and medium enterprises can leverage information accrued from MDM systems to improve business functions. An example is using a video footage captured by a security camera to monitor employee interactions, to improve training programs, to enhance customer satisfaction, and to improve safety among others.

2. Protect data on any device used by anyone: Since employees bring their own devices to work, the organization can use mobile application Management to protect their data from malevolent users. This prevents organization data being used maliciously.

3. Maintain user privacy: Personal applications and data should not be mixed with company data. In other words, the user is supposed to be separated from the enterprise. Employees, consultants and partners working for the organization can rest easy knowing that the corporate have no control over personal stuff.

4. Simplicity in multi-platform conditions: Since different employees use different systems and devices, mobile application management software provides a consistent and neutral platform to have proper security and management across all devices and applications.

5. Expand mobility across different stakeholders in the enterprises: This management application makes it possible for everyone working in one project to have access to important resources from colleagues working in the project. This makes it easy to communicate and work therefore it is time saving and efficiency enhancing.

Which Systems can you use for Mobile Device Management?

Now the question is which mobile device management system is best fit for your company? Well, let us take a glance at some of the most popular systems in the market.

MaaS360:

MaaS360 It lets you manage and secure mobile devices, applications, and content. It uses a single portal, which is targeted at minimizing security risks in the organization. It is a global mobile infrastructure with a low financial investment but perfect in enhancing productivity by positively influencing in finance, IT, operations, and the end users.

The Value of MaaS360 in an enterprise

1. Financial – Reduces the cost of supporting all the workers and maintaining mobile devices. Deployment costs are also minimized. Enhances bring your own device policy; this reduces procurement costs associated to each user. High licensing fee is reduced due to cloud based mobile device management.

2. Technical – Uses a single portal to control all the operations. Exchange of emails and messages are integrated therefore making it fast and easy. It also has the benefits of back up and disaster recovery without redundancy coupled by the ability to track information such warranty, ownership, and business departments.

3. Operational – Employee productivity is balanced with business security. The system has a clean interface for unprecedented mobility. On top of that, it affords users the ability to work at anytime and anywhere. Furthermore, it Improves decision-making and allows use of any device of choice by the employees.

Airwatch:

Airwatch is another system used globally to manage mobile devices on an individual, group and company level. It helps companies to focus on mobile technology and minimize complexities in managing it. It is highly scalable in the sense that it can be integrated with many systems in the work place.

1. Activation – Activation involves only one-step. An email message with a URL, a login and activation code will be sent. Once enrolled the company or the group admin can manage the users using Airwatch web-based console.

2. Security – All devices must be password protected to enhance security. Airwatch security features require one to have a passcode and an encryption on device storage cards. Data loss is limited and backups are provided.

3. Device management – Devices are managed by request to either lock the device or wipe the data remotely. Device configuration profile can be updated for the whole group or company.

4. Configuration – All the devices can be accessed and configured remotely. Admin device can have many accounts as possible in order to access all the data or login to mails of vpn networks.

5. Monitoring – Everything done by users using the various devices can be monitored by the admin. Several alerts can be received and sent. Proper communication should be enhanced and security of information should be monitored.

6. Support – Issues of troubleshooting and instructions can be accessed very fast through the support team. To locate lost devices or change passcodes, the team can use self-service portal.

Conclusion:

Mobile device management is very important in managing mobility especially in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environment. With MDM software, you can make your office simple and secure. Efficiency is needed and finances should be invested in a bid to find a bespoke MDM solution for your business.