What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)? | VMware Glossary (2024)

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    Mobile Device Managementis any software that allows IT to automate, control, and secure administrative policies on laptops, smartphones, tablets, or any other device connected to an organization’s network.

    Employees have become increasingly accustomed to using the device, operating system, and application of their choice. Because of the diversity of mobile devices, IT departments face a unique set of challenges while deploying and connecting internal content and resources.

    Typically, mobile device management deploys an aggregate of corporate guidelines and certificates, on-device configurations, apps, backend software, and hardware to manage end-user devices. The goal of mobile device management is to maximize device support, organizational functionality, and security while allowing a degree of user flexibility, such as the use of BYOD.

    Segmentation allows IT departments to seamlessly enforce security settings and compliance for specified users, groups, or geographic locations within an organization. To reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and mitigate risks, including data and security breaches, organizations must implement a robust mobile device management framework.

    Attention to mobile device management has intensified as the use of mobile devices has increased and grown more complex.

    Why Mobile Device Management is Important?

    Many factors have elevated mobile device management's importance to the C-suite. These include:

    • Massive deployment of mobile applications requires tools to protect and manage assets.
    • Growing concerns over security breaches stemming from employee mobile device usage.
    • Standardization of mobile device management practices and processes.

    Since employees now perform many if not most of their duties on mobile devices, organizations requireenterprise mobility. Mobile device management facilitates remote work capabilities, tapping into the cloud for data access.

    Employees’ mobile devices have become targets of malware, hackers, and exploitation due to the large amounts of data that is stored and transferred on each device. Organizations recognize their responsibility to secure and protect this data from loss while enabling their workforce to access fundamental resources.

    As part of this responsibility, mobile device management delivers critical updates and patches for necessary apps and firmware, not only for functionality but also for security. Device management supports employee work and productivity with real-time data backups.

    Too, the focus of mobile device management has turned toward a comprehensive view of device management, including desktops and laptops, and away from an emphasis on mobile platforms.

    Mobile Device Management Features

    Mobile device management allows network segregation—dividing the corporate network into subnets. Along with improved performance, network segregation delivers more secure connectivity since each subnet is dedicated to specific needs and functions. Only those with "a need to know" can access specified domains, protecting data and processes from both internal and external intruders.

    Another feature mobile device management offers is application management - delivering an enterprise app catalog to employees. An app catalog is a virtual company "play store" that makes secure and compliant apps available for download. They can be accessed on a restricted basis, bypassing IT installation, and automatically updated with new versions that bolster functionality or security.

    A related functionality isapplication monitoring—packet scanning of I/O requests in real-time across a cloud network.Mobile device management enables IT support to remotely administer devices, either to correct malfunctions or—should a security breach occur—lock and wipe the device of critical data. IT admins can monitor and audit devices for usage patterns and security vulnerabilities as well as balance loads and perform detailed analytics.

    If a disaster event occurs, an organization must be prepared to restore backup data across a variety of devices and platforms. Mobile device management facilitates this process, plus restores corrupted or lost data should a system crash.

    How Mobile Device Management Works?

    Mobile device management solutions are typically administered with the use of servers and clients through centralized remote management. Mobile device management software platforms automatically identify network devices, manage their configurations, and support ease of use. The process is completely automated and easily allows for scalability.

    A mobile device management software suite is configured using organizational management policies for apps and content and is device-OS specific. Basic functions include:

    • OSconfiguration management
    • Application inventory
    • Hardware inventory
    • Content management
    • Admin remote actions (e.g., remote data wipe, troubleshooting, device lockout, etc.)

    Mobile device management also allows for mobile app configuration, deployment, maintenance, removal and policy management.

    VMware Mobile Device Management Tools

    VMware Workspace ONE®transforms thedigital workspaceby engaging employees with data and apps they require to work across any device. Utilizing cloud-based Unified End Management (UEM), scalable Workspace ONE solutions provide employees with out-of-the-box, self-service experiences at any location with any platform and device, be it corporate-owned or BYOD.

    Workspace ONE UEM

    • Ensures all devices—office, remote, IoT—are secure, compliant, and current with organizational policies with minimal IT intervention.
    • Systematically manages any app with any endpoint, anywhere.
    • Uses innovative device management functionalities to real-time monitor compliance and operations status.
    • Delivers a uniform and engaging user experience across any device using self-service processes.
    • From one inclusive platform, manage and secure any device on any OS—Windows 10, macOS, Chrome OS, etc.—for a variety of use cases.

    Benefits of VMware Workspace ONE Mobile Device Management

    An all-in-one mobile device management solution addresses both security and accessibility needs for any enterprise environment:

    • Quickly and efficiently add new devices to the enterprise network.
    • Saves time by deploying mobile devices from one console.
    • Send updates and configure new device settings over the air.
    • Wipe or lock managed devices remotely.
    • Guaranteed performance when using the latest web browsers.

    Configure, secure, and monitor all the mobile devices in the enterprise with VMware Workspace ONE. Workspace ONE allows IT departments the control they need for both corporate-owned or bring-your-own devices while giving employees their choice of working environment.

    Recommended for You

    • Application Monitoring
    • Application Security
    • Enterprise Mobility
    • Disaster Recovery
    What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)? | VMware Glossary (2024)

    FAQs

    What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)? | VMware Glossary? ›

    Mobile device management facilitates remote work capabilities, tapping into the cloud for data access. Employees' mobile devices have become targets of malware, hackers, and exploitation due to the large amounts of data that is stored and transferred on each device.

    What is mobile device MDM? ›

    Mobile device management (MDM) is a proven methodology and toolset that provides a workforce with mobile productivity tools and applications while keeping corporate data secure. With a mature MDM platform, IT and security departments can manage all of a company's devices, regardless of their operating system.

    What is the meaning of MDM? ›

    Mobile device management (MDM) software allows IT administrators to control, secure and enforce policies on smartphones, tablets and other endpoints.

    Can MDM see your screen? ›

    As for screen monitoring, it will need permission to access camera and is often used in unattended devices. Other details that an MDM can monitor on devices: available storage, battery temperature, permission condition, external HDMI/SD card status, etc.

    Why is MDM on my phone? ›

    MDM lets you securely and wirelessly configure devices by sending profiles and commands to the device, whether they're owned by the user or your organization. MDM capabilities include updating software and device settings, monitoring compliance with organizational policies, and remotely wiping or locking devices.

    Can MDM wipe my phone? ›

    No matter which Apple device you want to wipe (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), you can initiate a remote wipe command through mobile device management (MDM), iCloud, or Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync.

    How do I remove MDM Device Management from my Android? ›

    Return to the main settings menu and navigate to “Apps” or “Applications.” Find and select the MDM app or any associated MDM-related apps. Tap on “Disable” or “Uninstall” to deactivate the MDM profile.

    What is an example of MDM? ›

    Customer information—such as names, phone numbers, and addresses—is an excellent example of master data. This data is less volatile but occasionally needs to be updated when a customer moves or changes their name.

    What does MDM do to you? ›

    MDM software collects various hardware and software information on devices, which helps companies monitor and track company-owned and BYOD devices. You can, for example, view ownership information, installed configurations and applications, warranty and security status, and current location, among other data.

    Why do we need MDM? ›

    MDM is an integral part of the enterprise data management architecture designed to help businesses get a consolidated view of the data scattered across the organisation. These include managing enterprise data across key domains such as products, materials, customers, vendors, pricing, and employees, to name a few.

    Can MDM see texts? ›

    Regardless of your deployment model, the MDM framework can never access personal information, including email, messages, and browser history.

    Can MDM track calls? ›

    Whats more, KnowIT MDM is included as part of our mobile monitoring product, meaning you also receive powerful benefits like location tracking, call recording, and much more.

    Can MDM track your location? ›

    Device Location History: Beyond just knowing where a device is now, MDM tools can track where it's been. This historical data can be invaluable, offering insights into usage patterns, identifying potential security risks, and helping recover lost or stolen devices by retracing their movements.

    How do I check if my device is MDM? ›

    Press and hold the Option key, then choose Apple menu > System Information to open the system report. In the sidebar, scroll to Software and click Profiles or Managed Profiles. Remember that when you find an MDM profile, you verify that a device is managed. If there's no MDM profile, then the device isn't managed.

    What is the purpose of mobile device management? ›

    The goal of mobile device management is to maximize device support, organizational functionality, and security while allowing a degree of user flexibility, such as the use of BYOD.

    Is IT safe to remove MDM? ›

    MDM solutions help organizations secure their employee devices with passcode policies, data encryption, and conditional access. However, if unwanted users manage to delete the MDM profile from the device, your sensitive business information can fall into the wrong hands.

    How do I know if I have MDM on my phone? ›

    Determining Whether a Device Is Managed

    To find an MDM profile on a user-owned iPhone or iPad, open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management to show the managed account for the MDM profile. Then access the MDM profile by tapping Managed Account > Profiles and Device Management.

    How to remove MDM from iPhone? ›

    Get Rid of MDM Profile on iPhone/iPad via Settings
    1. Go to iPhone/iPad settings > General and scroll down to find VPN & Device Management.
    2. Tap on VPN & Device Management > MDM Profile > Remove Management.
    3. You will be prompted to enter your login information or passcode to remove MDM.
    Apr 12, 2024

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