When choosing the right Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution for your organization, focusing on essential features is key to meeting both security and operational needs. Here’s a breakdown of the top 12 essential MDM features to help you compare and select the right tool for your business. We have also included a ready-to-use questionnaire that you can utilize to evaluate the features of your shortlisted MDM solutions.
20 Questions to Ask About MDM Features Before Enrolling
If you have scheduled a demo or are meeting with the sales team of your chosen MDM solution, here are 20 key questions you should ask about the MDM features before making a final purchasing decision.
What will the enrollment process look like (e.g., manual, bulk, zero-touch automated)?
Which operating systems (macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux, etc) and device types (cell phones, laptops, desktops, IoT devices) do you support?
Do you provide real-time alerts and automated remediation for non-compliant devices?
How can your MDM solution assist us in meeting specific regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA?
Can we blacklist or whitelist applications, and how are unauthorized apps detected?
What tools are available for remote monitoring of device health and performance?
Can IT administrators remotely access and control devices for troubleshooting?
Do you offer data encryption and secure content distribution capabilities?
Does your platform support geofencing, and can we automate responses (e.g., device lock or wipe) when devices move in or out of designated areas?
How does your MDM platform ensure user privacy while enforcing corporate policies on BYOD devices?
Can we remotely wipe corporate data while leaving personal data intact?
How do you handle consent and transparency regarding the monitoring of personal devices?
How flexible is your policy creation system? Can we create different policies for different departments, device types, or geographic locations?
Can we automate routine administrative tasks like updates, patch management, and policy enforcement?
What kind of reports and dashboards do you offer? Can we customize them to our specific requirements?
Do you offer integration with SIEM or other analytics tools to enhance visibility?
How does your platform integrate with our existing IT infrastructure, including IAM tools and other security platforms like Pomerium for zero trust?
What is your support model? Do you offer 24/7 support, and what’s your typical response time?
Will you provide onboarding support, and training to our staff for your MDM platform?
Do you offer API integration for custom workflows or specific tools we already use?
Note: Your chosen solution might not provide all the mobile device management features listed above. That’s why it’s important to prioritize which MDM features are essential for your organization and which are optional.
12 Must-Have Mobile Device Management Features
The MDM questions outlined above should give you a clear understanding of the key features to consider when selecting an MDM platform. Below is a detailed breakdown of these essential MDM features and why they are critical for your business.
1. Ease of Device Enrollment
What It Is: The ability to enroll devices easily into the MDM system, whether through manual setup, self-enrollment, or bulk provisioning.
Why It’s Important: Streamlined enrollment saves time, especially when managing a large number of devices. Look for platforms that support zero-touch enrollment for major device types.
How to Compare: Check if the MDM supports bulk enrollment and automatic provisioning. Apple’s DEP and Android Enterprise Enrollment are examples of must-have integration options.
2. Device and OS Compatibility
What It Is: The MDM solution’s ability to support a wide range of operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, and device types, including
cell phones,
laptops,
desktops, and
various IoT devices.
Why It’s Important: It is common for businesses to use a broad mix of devices that are running on different operating systems. Ensuring that your MDM solution is compatible with all types of devices and operating systems helps maintain consistency and control across all devices.
This becomes even more critical when third-party users, like vendors, suppliers, or marketing agencies, access your network and resources. Compatibility across their devices ensures smooth access while maintaining security.
How to Compare: Look for an MDM that supports multiple device types and operating systems, and can handle the latest OS versions. Ensure the platform can manage devices across internal and external stakeholders, minimizing compatibility issues with third-party users who may use various devices and systems.
3. Security and Compliance Management
What It Is: Features that ensure device compliance with security policies such as encryption, antivirus, VPN configuration, and patch management.
Why It’s Important: Protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA is critical in regulated industries.
How to Compare: Evaluate how the MDM enforces compliance, offers real-time reporting on security violations, and automates remediation efforts like locking or wiping compromised devices.
What It Is: The ability of the MDM solution to integrate with your existing IT infrastructure, including identity access management (IAM) tools, network configurations, and security solutions.
Why It’s Important: Seamless integration ensures that your MDM solution works well with your current systems, reducing complexity and improving overall security.
For organizations leveraging zero trust network access (ZTNA) tools like Pomerium, the MDM must be able to integrate and enhance those security protocols.
Pro Tip: FleetDM effortlessly integrates with zero-trust network access (ZTNA) tools like Pomerium, streamlining operations without disrupting workflows. Plus, both tools are open-source!
How to Compare: Look for compatibility with IAM tools, SSO (Single Sign-On) providers, and other security layers. Ensure that the MDM supports API integration for flexible deployments and can work with zero-trust environments to enhance your organization's security posture.
5. Remote Monitoring and Troubleshooting
What It Is: Tools to monitor device health and performance remotely and to troubleshoot issues without physical access.
Why It’s Important: Reducing downtime and resolving issues remotely helps to improve the efficiency of IT teams, especially in distributed or hybrid environments.
How to Compare: Look for features like real-time health monitoring, remote screen viewing, file pushing, and remote control for troubleshooting.
6. Reporting and Analytics
What It Is: The ability to generate detailed reports and analytics on device inventory, security compliance, app usage, and other critical data points.
Why It’s Important: Comprehensive reporting helps IT administrators make data-driven decisions, identify potential security risks, and track device performance over time.
Real-time analytics can alert your team to unusual activity, non-compliant devices, or outdated software, allowing for quick remediation.
For example, an MDM solution can generate a report showing all devices with outdated operating systems or lacking encryption, helping you prioritize necessary updates and enforce compliance.
How to Compare: Ensure the MDM provides customizable reports and dashboards tailored to your organization’s needs. Look for the ability to schedule regular reports and set real-time alerts for security breaches or non-compliance. Some advanced solutions offer integration with SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools for enhanced monitoring and insights.
7. Location Tracking and Geofencing
What It Is: Tools that allow IT admins to track the physical location of devices and apply policies based on geographical boundaries.
Why It’s Important: Useful for managing company assets and enforcing location-based policies, such as restricting app usage or access to sensitive data when a device leaves a designated area.
How to Compare: Evaluate how precise the tracking is and whether the MDM offers geofencing triggers for automatic responses like locking devices when they exit certain areas.
8. Value for Money
What It Is: The pricing structure of the MDM solution and its ability to scale as your business grows. There are some excellent open-source MDM platforms available too for small to medium firms. Even large enterprises should use them to test the water before committing.
Here’s an excellent resource to check out: 10 open-source Mobile Device Management Solutions.
Why It’s Important: MDM costs can vary based on features, number of devices, and service levels. A solution that scales with your organization’s needs prevents you from outgrowing your MDM too soon.
How to Compare: Compare pricing models (per device, per user, or tiered plans), check for hidden fees, and assess how easy it is to scale as the number of managed devices increases.
9. BYOD Support
What It Is: Features that support a mix of corporate-owned and employee-owned devices while ensuring privacy for personal data.
Why It’s Important: A good BYOD policy balances security and user privacy by applying corporate policies without overreaching to personal device usage.
How to Compare: Look for MDMs that offer personal data segregation, app-level controls, and the ability to wipe only corporate data in the event of device loss.
10. Automation and Scripting
What It Is: Automation features that allow admins to script common tasks, deploy policies, or perform actions like updates and patches.
Why It’s Important: This MDM feature reduces manual overhead and ensures consistency in policy enforcement.
How to Compare: Look for scripting capabilities, task scheduling, and automation workflows that simplify recurring administrative tasks, like applying security patches or installing updates.
11. Policy and Configuration Management
What It Is: The ability to create, deploy, and enforce security policies across devices, including Wi-Fi settings, VPN configurations, password rules, and more.
Why It’s Important: Standardizing configurations ensures consistency and security across all devices, preventing unauthorized access and reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.
How to Compare: Check if the MDM allows for granular control over policy creation and whether policies can be enforced automatically based on device type, role, or location.
12. App Whitelisting/Blacklisting
What It Is: The ability to control which apps are allowed (whitelisting) or prohibited (blacklisting) on devices managed by the MDM platform.
Why It’s Important: This MDM feature helps organizations enforce security policies by ensuring that only approved, secure applications are installed and used on devices while blocking potentially harmful or unapproved apps. This is especially critical in industries with strict compliance requirements or in organizations where data security is a top priority.
How to Compare: Look for flexibility in managing app permissions across different device types and OS platforms. Ensure that the MDM solution offers real-time monitoring and automatic enforcement of whitelisting/blacklisting rules. It should have the ability to push updates or make changes across all managed devices seamlessly.
Conclusion on Evaluating MDM Features
Identify Key Needs: Do you need to manage a fleet of corporate-owned devices or support BYOD? What’s your priority: security, app management, or automation?
Compare Features Side-by-Side: Create a feature comparison table to assess which solutions meet your most important criteria.
Evaluate Ease of Use and Integration: Consider whether the MDM integrates seamlessly with your current IT infrastructure and offers user-friendly interfaces for administrators.
Plan for Growth: Choose an MDM that can scale with your business and offers flexibility in terms of supported devices, policies, and cost.
By focusing on these 12 essential mobile device management features, you can confidently compare MDM solutions and select the one that best meets your organization's device management needs.
