Choosing the right EMM for your business
In this mobile-first world, choosing the right Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solution is a critical decision alongside the choice of mobile computing device itself…and not all EMM solutions are created equal.
Mobility management is evolving. A few years ago companies wanted mobile device management (MDM) solutions to secure and manage devices. Then, as device capabilities grew, and mobile applications and content became more important, the focus expanded to enterprise mobility management (EMM).
Now with the arrival of IoT, the market is changing yet again. In a few years, we can expect to see billions of new, connected devices, “things” and endpoints. There may be dozens of new categories of endpoints, but they all need to be secured and managed from a single, unified mobility management solution.
An effective EMM gives your business critical control of your mobile computing assets, whether it’s dozens, hundreds or thousands of devices, and provides the mobile workforce and IT administrators with exactly what they need to minimise downtime and increase worker productivity. Especially in this new reality, with more emphasis than ever on the mobile workforce.
Remote Management
Effective remote management ensures that your mobile devices can stay with the workforce, without unnecessary interruptions for returns to a service centre for updates.Remote management can be used for everything from remotely updating software, firmware and security patches through to taking remote control of the device to guide users on how to operate a specific application function, or even for device triage in the field. Analytics can be used to monitor the health of devices in the field. For example, checking device operational or battery status. Another advantage is the ability to asset track devices whether they are out on location or stored in the warehouse. You can also choose when the devices are updated with the latest applications to minimise interruptions of the workforce.
Fast deployment
Another essential element of a good EMM solution is the ability to deploy devices as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Your business has invested a lot in its new mobile computing devices and it will want to see them operational and delivering a return on that investment as fast as possible. An EMM can offer a zero-touch enrolment either using Autopilot from Microsoft or Zero Touch from Android, for example, to process streamlining the preparation and activation of the device in the business. This approach means minimal effort is required from IT administrators and users to get the device up and running. When a device first turns on and connects to the internet, via cellular or WiFi networks, it immediately checks if it has been assigned an enterprise configuration. If it has, the device pulls down the configuration details and proceeds to enrol according to the configuration instructions. What once took hours, can now be done in minutes.
Security
As well as set-up and management, a good EMM solution will provide ways for the mobile computing device to be secured for the benefit of the business and the user. For example, devices can be configured to be locked down in a kiosk mode, so that users only have access to the applications they need and cannot get into other areas that can cause issues. For example, the IT department receiving calls about the device not connecting to the internet when the user has turned on airplane mode by accident. From a user perspective, it can also enhance personal safety with the ability to restrict the use of devices in moving vehicles to suitable applications such as maps and satellite navigation. This can prevent driver distraction and improve road safety, not to mention hefty fines and points on driving licences.
Support and reliability
Lastly, but no less importantly, think about the levels of support that your business requires. An EMM solution is only as good as the people behind it. Most EMM providers offer two levels of support – regular nine to five and then a more comprehensive dedicated support package.
If you operate a 24/7 business think about working with an EMM provider that will be able to provide dedicated, around the clock support, with a team that is familiar with your systems and understands your business.
It is also incredibly important to ensure that your EMM provider works well with your preferred mobile computing vendor. If they are existing partners then their respective solutions will have already been tested and, in some cases, developed alongside each other. This leads to a deeper understanding and working partnership that allows them to deliver any special requirements for your business much faster.
I often see the customer benefits of such a partner relationship between rugged mobile computing provider Panasonic TOUGHBOOK and SOTI’s global leadership in enterprise mobility management, where the companies have a very close working relationship.
SOTI enables companies to intelligently manage and optimize mobile business processes with the SOTI ONE Platform. Thanks to its strengths in scalability, the SOTI ONE Platform can be utilized by start-ups, scale-ups and large enterprises alike.
The only solutions of its kind in the market, the SOTI ONE Platform is comprised of seven revolutionary products. When everything is connected, the SOTI ONE Platform makes mobile and IoT business operations simpler, smarter and more reliable. The integrated SOTI ONE Platform reduces the cost, complexity and downtime of business-critical mobility.
Click here to find out more about the SOTI ONE Platform, as well as the other solution partners we work with.
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