When new devices and applications come along that promise organizational efficiency and productivity like never before, depending on your role in a company, there are typically two ways of reacting.
The first is a wide-eyed enthusiasm for the new opportunities that may be brought by said product, the second a more cynical and concerned raise of the eyebrows is this necessary Do we really need company data spewing out onto another platform Are we still secureReassuring those in the latter camp typically IT administrators and compliance bods are a host of mobile device management (MDM) services that monitor and protect all the mobile assets in an organization.
A good piece of MDM ensures those enthusiastic embracers of new tech can drive for renewed productivity, while the IT managers can stay on top of admin, compliance and security in one place.
So lets take a look at the best of the MDM market and see what platform may work for your organization.
1.
Jampf ProManage Apple devices in the enterpriseWide range of toolsGood customer serviceApple devices onlyJampf Pro offers comprehensive management of Apple mobile devices in the enterprise, describing itself as the The Swiss Army knife to handle your users needs.System administrators can troubleshoot iOS devices, keep them up to date, manage their security, and ensure all users have the apps and services they need.
All of these tasks can be automated, offering a welcome convenience factor for IT professionals at the helm.Additionally, the user interface is clear and simple to use, so unless youre a total beginner in the world of device management, it shouldnt take too long to get used to operating the Jampf Pro platform.
The software can be run via the cloud or as an on-premise service, and also works with asset management tools, network access controllers and other IT services thanks to built-in integrations.
Should problems arise, a helpful customer service team is on hand via phone, email and live chat in business hours with a Premium Support service also available for added technical and strategic expertise.
Jampf Pro price plans start at $6.67 (5) per Mac per month.
2.
OktaPremium device management with integration for lots of appsMultiple products for different needsIntegration with over 5,500 appsNot cheapOkta gives IT managers the tools to manage all the web applications entering the work environment, with on-demand identity and access management operational in the cloud and behind the firewall.Its MDM products are plentiful, including single sign-on for speedy application access, multi-factor authentication for added security, lifecycle management for controlling the movement of people in and out of the organization, and universal directory, allowing you to manage every user, app, device, and API in your organization from one place.Given the endless stream of applications and technologies entering the typical company network, potential suitors of Okta will be glad to hear it boasts integration for over 5,500 apps, including Office 365, G Suite, AWS, Slack, Salesforce, Zendesk and Splunk.
Oktas security analytics and automated provisioning tools offer peace of mind when it comes to managing employee devices.
A $1,500 (1,120) annual contract is the minimum requirement for Oktas products, which are generally considered on the pricier side, though volume discounts are available for enterprise customers with over 5,000 users.
3.
Mobilock ProAffordable device management for Android hardwareWide range of controls and settingsNicely pricedAndroid onlyThere was much concern and consternation when Android devices first penetrated the enterprise, with many regarding the OS as somewhat insecure compared to business favorites BlackBerry and iPhone.
But with device management solutions like Mobilock Pro now in the market, IT managers are increasingly relaxed about an Android presence in their organization.MobiLock Pro is a cloud-based platform enabling users to control all their companys Android devices.
At the heart of the management controls is the systems ability to lock devices into kiosk mode, replacing the standard device home screen with a customizable display that limits which apps and websites can be accessed by users.
Control is further enhanced by making certain OS functions inaccessible preventing employees from adapting device settings or installing unapproved apps while websites can be blocked and whitelisted.Administrators can also push files to devices from their dashboard, remotely send alarms to make devices ring, send out one-way message broadcasts to any number of registered devices, and remotely wipe all images, videos, and audio files from device galleries.But its not all bad news for the device carrier, as they can create device profiles with customized branding and use the pre-selected list of apps and websites at their leisure.
If youre looking to run MobiLock Pro on more than 100 devices, prices start from $12 (9) per device per year.
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus4.
ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager PlusFeature-packed device management for iOS and AndroidWorks with iOS and Android devicesAffordablePacked with featuresManageEngine Mobile Device Manager allows you to manage your organizations mobile assets while maintaining strong security.
It is available as both a cloud and on-premise service, and works across both Apple and Android devices.Mobile Device Manager boasts a wide array of features and tools: device enrolment provides platform-specific bulk enrolment options, and device management enables remote control of devices in real-time with the ability to set up profile policies depending on department or hierarchy.The there's app management which can blacklist certain apps in the business side of a users device (which is kept separate to their personal profile), along with mobile security that safeguards assets and information through passcodes, geo-fencing and remote locking and wiping.Remote troubleshooting allows you to remotely view and control devices in real-time, and mobile content management pushes documents and other resources to employee devices.
Finally, audit tools can update admins on the device count in the network, see what apps are being used by whom, and spot if any go outside of the set boundaries.Pricing starts at $10 (7.50) per device per year not bad at all for such a feature-packed platform.5.
Miradore OnlineExcellent BYOD management for SMBsRuns across iOS, Android and WindowsGood features for lost devicesBYOD-friendlyAimed at small and mid-size businesses, healthcare companies and service providers, Miradore Online is a cloud-based MDM, looking after smartphones and tablets running Android, iOS and even Windows Phone.
Among the control features are passcodes, device encryption and remote locking plus the ability to wipe the device of all data should it be lost or stolen.
Matters are better still for iOS devices in the network, as these can be put into Lost Mode, locking the phone or tablet and displaying a contact number for those who may find it.
For bring your own device (BYOD) implementations, the nifty selective wipe feature enables the removal of all company-specific data from a device, while leaving personal data intact.Elsewhere in the platform we have tools to track the location of all devices (with information including longitude and latitude, zip code and street address), the ability to configure email, Wi-Fi, and VPN settings, plus restriction options can be set on data roaming, web content, and app availability.
Price plans start at $1 (75p) per device per month.
Best of the restAnother MDM service that covers iPhone, Android and Windows is SureMDM.
Producer 42Gears describes the product as a simple and lean solution for the enterprise, targeting SMBs and startups.
Features include application deployment, security policies, location tracking, screen sharing and remote troubleshooting.This is not to be confused with Simple MDM which specializes solely in the management of Apple devices.
With Simple MDM, organizations are able to secure company assets and data on mobile devices by hiding apps, disabling functionality, implementing passcodes, blocking dangerous iOS features, and more.Another notable market player is Hexnode MDM, which also covers iPhone, Android and Windows.
Stay on top of devices in your network through individual and group management, a kiosk mode, app management, web filtering, tracking, geofencing and expense management, among other features.
AirWatch also takes care of devices running each of the three key mobile operating systems and does so with a raft of tools and features.
Choose from three management suites (staggered in price) and keep devices up-to-date and secure via a well-designed, easy-to-use central dashboard.
Ciscos enterprise ubiquity stretches to mobile device management too, thanks to Cisco Meraki.
The cloud-based platform provides centralized management, diagnostics, and monitoring for all the mobile devices managed by your organization, from iPads and Androids to Macs and PCs.CQLAsRedKh6sqi4PHxFmfW.jpg#