Device management is the methodology of achieving the implementation, administration, and preservation of a physical and/or virtual device. It is a wider topic which covers several administrative tools and processes for the continuance and maintenance of a computing, network, mobile and/or virtual device.
The Device Management usually does the following:
On a broader note, the term device management software attributes to applications that are employed to maintain different kinds of devices. Notably, all the software solutions are created to maintain particular sets of devices within a certain industry and to manage a collection of these devices in coordinated use.
One of the key operations of device management software is mobile device management (MDM) software. MDM software encourages companies to manage the use of smartphones and portable devices that are part of business operations. Since most of the users access sensitive company data, it is vital to have it implemented. Not all the MDM software are the same, they are built based on businesses' security needs, where employees carrying BYOD devices with company information could expose an enterprise to risk.
The device management software capabilites also come in handy to set right the use of small USB flash drives, digital music players or other devices that connect to enterprise computers. Since USB-connected peripheral devices pose the threat of transferring malware, stealing data, or otherwise create problems in an organization's IT systems. The latest device management software combines several monitoring innovations that help businesses to reduce risk and get further information about how peripheral or external devices are being used.
In some cases, few industries employ advanced device management software for production or infrastructure devices. These multiple hardware pieces working in machine-to-machine (M2M) setups, or hardware pieces networked together as part of a telecommunications infrastructure.
Mobile device management (MDM) is a kind of security software used by an IT department to watch, control and protect employees' mobile devices that are connecting across multiple mobile service providers and operating systems being used in the organization.
MDM software is of comprised of security services and tools such as Mobile Application Management to formulate a comprehensive mobile device and security Enterprise Mobility Management solution.
Few big corporates go for MDM solutions that have mobile security and expense management in a single product. This solely depends on the vendor to what specific features accompany your product when you buy them. But, the ones that you need to look for are mobile policy management, telecom service management, inventory management, mobile applications, and security management.
On a broader note, the increase in the consumerization of IT involves more personal consumer computing devices. And this includes devices namely smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Ever since employees started bringing their own devices to the workplace for official use and connectivity on the corporate network, the term BYOD (bring your own device) has become widely adopted. In the present time, an MDM software is one perfect way for an organization to achieve reliable mobile solutions to its BYOD workforce.
Generally, a Mobile Device Management solution helps in managing the administration, reporting, and security of the devices connecting to a specific company network.
The foremost goal of companies is to include MDM solutions in their IT environment to enable everyone to access sensitive details from any part of the globe – anytime. This aids in increasing productivity, protection of company data, and overall profits.
Everybody today is well aware of implementing this critical security solution, which is a key part of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative. Here are the step by step tips to zero-in on the right MDM solution:
Corporate vs. Mobile
The corporate expectations for the BYOD initiative against the mobile user community reality are always a matter of debate to many, so it is important to get the clarity. After you know what you are dealing with, it is easy to get the idea of what needs to be done, you can decide on the technical requirements appropriately. Let the MDM solutions that you decide on for your company meet the expectations of the BYOD initiative.
Today, most of us use a smartphone, so understanding the fundamentals wouldn't be much of a task, but, misunderstandings might arise about the ownership of corporate data. Similarly, it is also applicable for an employee to feel little unwilling for the employer's security software to run on their personal device.
Examining some of the key details would bring to the light of the requirements. It is vital to understand the role of enterprise mobile security, advantages, MDM solutions policies, reporting, and implementation in the organization.
Test Phase
Before zeroing-on the best product, it is completely advisable to understand the advantages and disadvantages of an MDM Solution, logically, select the one which offers a trial period. This helps you to run things on a test phase to determine if the MDM Solution which well meets your BYOD initiatives. Run it on some pilot participants' mobile devices, personal laptops, and PCs before you zero-in on the MDM Solution.
Device Support
Today, the world around us is filled with numerous tablets, smartphones, and PC operating systems invented and manufactured by different companies. It is important to note that the device support is one of the best ways to get started on your BYOD initiative. Fairly, most of us are under the opinion that the hardware platform and operating system are a free-for-all.
Security Management
Security Management here directly refers to device security which includes authentication, passwords, and encryption. The easy way to begin an investigation for the right MDM solution is following the in-place security standards.
Inventory Management
Inventory management helps in viewing the mobile apps which are in use on a corporate network. It also helps in provisioning and supporting the mobile devices in the network.
Service Management
The service management features supported up by a written policy on compensations, offer corporate management and end users and with the tools for budgeting and auditing these expenses to users with BYOD devices.
Software Distribution
Whenever there is a patch or new version of a software is released, the MDM Solution has to aid in distributing the same within the network. While this benefits crucially by saving from a lot of software related troubles and hiccups, it is for you to keenly look for those details in the management and reporting features under software distribution.
Policy Management
The policy management helps govern the level of access for BYOD devices. In other words, this will give a clear picture of who is accessing what like the SharePoint team sites, financial applications, etc. Basically, this will help maintain and safeguard the corporate secrets that reside within your organization.
Hosted vs. On-site
MDM solutions versus implementing an MDM platform on-site. Decide on what fits your organization's requirement, each of it has its own advantage and disadvantages to consider.
Reporting
Reporting acts as the backbone of an organization's performance and longevity. It is critical to the success and a new BYOD program must support and improve it overall. During the early stages of a BYOD initiative, there might be some overreaching in reporting, but you can always dial it back during the trial period.
Most of the MDM software available in the market is not tailored for everyone solution. But things that matters is understanding the core points of advantages and disadvantages for determining whether the MDM solution is the best fit for your organization or not. When it comes Android device you might need to consider a few things that are mentioned below:
Android makes the difference
The use of BYOD Android Devices saves time, money, effort for the companies, as the need for devices and space to allocate those devices are reduced and hence there is a huge cost saving. But, the cost to support the fleet of external devices becomes more apparent, beyond this, there also exists concerns and difficulties in defending the employees’ sensitive data while they stay connected to the company network with their sensitive data. To address the issues relating to data regulations and privacy standards, the ever trending Android OS has introduced a comprehensive application called Android Work Profile, by this way, Android enables companies to not just secure corporate data, but also presents a standardized management approach to enable employees to alter needs-based privacy standards, across a broad range of devices.
What is the Android Work Profile Anyway?
Beginning with versions of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Android devices maintain an OS-based container called the work profile to help BYOD employees of the companies to contain all the business applications and data badged with a briefcase logo while it effectively separates the latter from the personal applications and data. This allows the employee to utilize or access both work-related files beside with their personal profile, while the data remains separate. This ensures that each of the profile is not affected by the other and is run side by side on the home screen of the device.
The policies and the lifecycle are managed through Enterprise Mobile Management providers by integrating with Android.
Android makes BYOD users toss between work and personal activities over the devices in accordance with their comfort, without each activity conflicting with the other. IT admins use a variety of policies with important security elements like lock screen, which allow devices to be compliant with precise encryption policies, guarantees that the apps in the apps in the work profile are connected to the secure corporate network through a range of VPN options.
Enrolling a device in the work profile
When the user downloads the EMM app from the Google Play Store and signs up with the corporate credentials, the device enrolment in the work profile can be done. The EMM requests the IT teams to list the apps, configurations, and certificates that are to be a part of the work profile upon creating the work profile to allow the users to enjoy trouble-free user-experience and begin using the work-related apps instantenously.
How to keep personal data private
Android gives IT admins are approved to secure the integrity and maintain the privacy of the personal data
What is the Android Device Manager?
Android Device Manager is a magnificent tool which helps locate and remote wipe a lost or stolen phone. All that the user needs is a Google account to set it up on the phone, and then simply use any other online device to trace it down or wipe it. The essential thing, that you need to have is to have it set up and ready before anything goes wrong.
Installing Android Device Manager
It is easy to install the Android Device Manager. Switch on the phone and go to the Google Play app, and search for Android Device Manager — it's Find My Device - click on the install. The app installs just like any other app, and permit in the settings to allow it to act as a Device Administrator. In this manner, it has the authority to lock or wipe your phone.
Locking and ringing your Android over the Internet
When the Android device is lost, the Android Device Manager website helps to spot on your device. Click the button, and give the OK in the pop-up, the phone rings even when the device volume is lowered or increased and use the map to get close to your phone. The Lock option enables the user to change a PIN or password on the device or set a new one on the phone, besides that, it shows a message on the locked screen.
Wiping the phone that's gone forever
When you are sure that the phone cannot be tracked, you can choose to wipe out all that it is within the device. When the phone is erased, the content in the phone no longer exists, it is back to the same settings it had while it was brand new in the box. The find my device for Android is an essential feature that saves from data being accessed by unlawful personnel who might use it to make illegal money.
How to find Android Device Manager on my Phone?
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