Mobile Device Management System Best Practices

Summary: Managing enterprise mobile devices requires more than keeping hardware operational. A strong Mobile Device Management (MDM) strategy helps organizations secure devices, standardize configurations, monitor performance, and support users throughout the device lifecycle. By following practical MDM best practices, businesses can improve productivity, strengthen security, reduce downtime, and maintain better control.

Along with smartphones, mobile devices now assist daily activities in warehouses, manufacturing plants, medical workplaces, field services locations, retail stores and distribution centres. Rugged tablets, barcode scanners, handheld computers and other mobile devices enable employees to see the information they need to complete their most critical tasks no matter where work happens.

However, as the number of devices scales up, managing each one becomes much more difficult.

Devices need regular updates. Security policies must be enforced. Ensuring applications will stay available and run seamlessly. They must be rapid to rectify equipment obsolescence or damage. This can devour IT resources and bring down unnecessary downtime if device management is not done in a structured way.

This is where a mobile device management system comes into play with centralized control over such activities. These best practices will help organizations create a more dependable and effective mobile device management plan.

Create a Complete Device Inventory

Knowing detailed features of what devices the organization has and where they are being used is necessary to have effective MDM.

Keep a precise inventory with information including:

• Device type and model
• Serial number
• Assigned user or department
• Operating system
• Installed applications
• Location
• Warranty information
• Device status

You can tell if you have outdated hardware, replacement devices, what the devices are assigned to, and get a better understanding of your mobile environment with centralized inventory.

Even the best MDM policies can be nearly impossible to manage without accurate device information.

Standardize Device Configurations

Varying configurations between comparable devices can generate avoidable trouble tickets.

Organizations must define their own standard configurations for different workforces or applications. It can include accepted applications, network configurations, security policies, device limitations, and input permissions.

This standardization allows for quicker deployment for new devices and a consistent employee experience.

It also makes it easier for IT teams to troubleshoot issues, since devices carrying out similar functions follow the same basic configuration.

Enforce Security Policies

Security is an important aspect of MDM as mobile devices can potentially provide an access point to sensitive business systems and information.

Organizations should establish policies for:

• Password and authentication requirements
• Device encryption
• Application access
• Screen-lock settings
• Network connections
• Operating system updates
• Remote device actions
• User permissions

The application of security policies on managed devices needs to be uniform as per policy rather than relying on individual users to set their devices right.

Control Application Access

Employees are not required to access all the apps on a mobile device.

Organizations should have and approve an application list, control the installation of applications on managed devices, or restrict access to certain applications.

This will help to reduce security risks, prevent unnecessary software and devices from consuming resources, and be consistent in the working environment.

By restricting applications on task-specific devices to only those needed for the job, users can have a more streamlined experience.

Monitor Device Health and Performance

Device management does not end after deployment!

IT teams need to monitor the quality of devices and proactively detect problems before they impact operations. Helpful information may consist of battery life, connection, storage status or capability, app condition, compliance, and device availability.

A solution cornerstone is remote monitoring that shows if a team can identify recurring problems across the fleet and also establish when there are devices requiring maintenance or replacement.

This becomes even more critical for businesses that lean heavily on mobile devices for production, inventory, scanning, transportation, or field operations.

A Plan for Lost or Stolen Devices

Unlike laptops and desktops, which are typically used in controlled environments, mobile devices can roam free, especially when taking to the field or traipsing between facilities.

Before an incident occurs, organizations should develop procedures for lost or stolen devices.

Depending on their device and MDM capabilities, IT crews might have the ability to remotely lock, restrict, or wipe a system. When a device is reported missing, access credentials should also be managed in a timely manner.

A response process that is documented eliminates ambiguity and protects business information.

Provide Remote Support

Sending a mobile device that has stopped working back to a central IT department can add an unnecessary delay.

Remote support capabilities help IT teams to remotely diagnose some of the issues, apply configurations or deploy updates, and provide assistance without having to physically touch every device.

This can be especially useful for distributed operations.

Mobile devices could be relied upon by a warehouse employee, field technician, or production worker to execute critical responsibilities. Operational downtime can be reduced with faster troubleshooting.

Common MDM Challenges to Avoid

Even organizations with mobile device management system platforms may still suffer from process confusion.

Common challenges include:

• Tracking Devices Without a Reliable Inventory
• Applying inconsistent security policies
• Delaying software updates
• Allowing unnecessary applications
• Ignoring device lifecycle management
• Providing limited user training
• Relying entirely on manual support
• Decision on tools without understanding related enterprise systems

Technology is only part of the solution. You also need suitable hardware, rigorous processes, a well-trained staff, and continual support.

Create an Even More Dependable Mobile Environment

Organizations that properly manage mobile devices within their fleet help employees stay efficient while providing IT more control over security, performance, and the management of the device throughout its lifecycle. An effective MDM strategy will automate a lot of the repetitive work you do, help devices stay operational for longer, and enable more standardised operations between locations.

Lowry Solutions provides enterprise mobility services, ranging from procurement and deployment to Mobile Device Management auditing, remote monitoring, and more. Lowry works with organizations to develop a mobile device strategy that meets their day-to-day operational deployment needs, supported by extensive knowledge of deploying and managing mobile technology in some of the most complex enterprise environments.

Ready to improve the way your organization manages mobile devices? Contact Lowry Solutions to explore an enterprise mobility and MDM approach designed around your devices, workflows, and business goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Mobile Device Management system?

A Mobile Device Management system provides centralized tools for managing enterprise mobile devices, including security policies, configurations, applications, updates, monitoring, and device support.

2. Why is MDM important for businesses?

MDM helps organizations improve device security, standardize configurations, monitor device performance, reduce manual management, and maintain better control over the device lifecycle.

3. Can MDM manage rugged enterprise devices?

Yes. MDM solutions can support many enterprise devices, including rugged handheld computers, barcode scanners, tablets, and other mobile equipment used in demanding environments.

4. Does MDM improve device security?

Yes. MDM can help enforce security policies, control application access, manage updates, monitor compliance, and support remote actions when a device is lost or compromised.

5. What should businesses consider when choosing an MDM solution?

Organizations should consider device compatibility, security capabilities, application management, remote monitoring, integration requirements, scalability, support, and total lifecycle management needs.