How to Set Up a Mobile Device Management (MDM) System for Your Company

In today’s mobile-driven workplace, managing the mobile devices used by employees is essential to protect your business’s data and streamline operations. A Mobile Device Management (MDM) system allows you to monitor, manage, and secure devices, ensuring compliance with company policies. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up an effective MDM system for your company.

Table of Contents

1. What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?
2. Why You Need an MDM System
3. Choosing the Right MDM Solution
4. Preparing for MDM Implementation
5. Steps to Set Up MDM in Your Organisation
6. Best Practices for Managing Mobile Devices
7. Top MDM Solutions for Businesses
8. Conclusion

1. What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a system that helps businesses monitor, manage, and secure employees' mobile devices. MDM enables administrators to remotely manage device settings, track devices, enforce security policies, and wipe data when necessary. MDM solutions can be implemented across various operating systems, including iOS, Android, and Windows.

2. Why You Need an MDM System

An MDM system helps address several important issues businesses face with mobile devices:

• Security: Protects against data breaches and theft by enforcing encryption, password policies, and remote wipe capabilities.
• Compliance: Ensures that your business meets regulatory requirements by controlling and tracking devices.
• Device Monitoring: Monitors device usage, app installations, and location tracking.
• Remote Support: Provides the ability to troubleshoot issues remotely, saving time and resources.

3. Choosing the Right MDM Solution

When selecting an MDM solution, consider the following factors:

• Compatibility: Ensure the MDM software supports all the devices and operating systems your company uses (iOS, Android, Windows).
• Features: Look for features like device tracking, remote wipe, app management, data encryption, and reporting tools.
• Scalability: Choose a solution that can grow with your company as your team and device fleet expand.
• User-Friendliness: The system should be easy for both administrators and employees to use.
• Cost: Consider your budget, as MDM solutions can range from affordable to enterprise-level pricing.

4. Preparing for MDM Implementation

Before you set up your MDM system, take the following steps:

• Assess Device Usage: Identify all the devices being used in your company, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
• Establish Security Policies: Define the security policies you want to implement, such as password requirements, encryption settings, and app restrictions.
• Determine Access Levels: Define which employees have access to what resources and set permissions for different groups (e.g., IT staff, regular employees, executives).
• Employee Buy-In: Communicate with your employees about the MDM system’s benefits and how it will help protect company data and improve productivity.

5. Steps to Set Up MDM in Your Organisation

Once you’ve selected an MDM solution and prepared your business, follow these steps to set up the system:

1. Sign Up and Set Up MDM Software: Choose a solution provider (e.g., VMware AirWatch, Microsoft Intune, or MobileIron), sign up, and create an admin account.
2. Add Devices to MDM: Enrol employee devices into the MDM system using unique enrolment codes or links provided by the MDM software. You may need to install an app or profile on each device.
3. Configure Device Policies: Set up security policies such as password length, device encryption, and remote wipe capabilities. You can also set restrictions on app usage, camera access, and Wi-Fi connections.
4. Deploy Applications: Push essential business apps (e.g., email, VPN, collaboration tools) to employees’ devices directly through the MDM system.
5. Monitor Devices: Start tracking and monitoring device health, location, and app usage. Regularly check for security compliance and any potential issues.
6. Provide Support and Troubleshooting: Use remote management tools to assist employees with device-related issues, ensuring minimal downtime.

6. Best Practices for Managing Mobile Devices

• Regularly Update Security Settings: Keep your device security policies up to date by enabling automatic software updates and monitoring any new threats.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of protection by requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing company apps and data.
• Educate Employees: Offer training on best practices for mobile security, such as avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks, using secure passwords, and reporting lost devices immediately.
• Track Device Health: Regularly check device performance to ensure devices remain in good working condition and compliant with your policies.
• Backup Data: Ensure all important business data is backed up regularly to prevent loss in case of device failure or theft.

7. Top MDM Solutions for Businesses

Here are some top-rated MDM solutions that can help businesses secure their mobile device fleet:

• VMware AirWatch: Offers a complete suite for device management, app management, and security with advanced features for large enterprises.
• Microsoft Intune: A robust solution that integrates well with Microsoft 365 and Azure Active Directory, perfect for businesses already using the Microsoft ecosystem.
• MobileIron: Known for its security-first approach, MobileIron provides strong encryption and device management features for businesses of all sizes.
• Jamf: Focused on Apple devices, Jamf offers excellent device management and security tools for businesses that rely on macOS and iOS.
• Cisco Meraki: Offers an intuitive interface for managing mobile devices and network security, ideal for businesses that need both MDM and network management.

8. Conclusion

Setting up a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system is essential for securing and managing mobile devices in your business. By choosing the right solution, setting up device policies, and following best practices, you can protect your data and ensure your team can work efficiently and securely. With an MDM system in place, you’ll have better control over your mobile devices and can easily scale as your business grows.