It’s hard to find an industry or company that isn’t taking advantage of the power of modern mobile devices. Whenever new tools enter a workforce, there needs to be standards for how to deploy, use and repair them. Improper use of a mobile device isn’t a matter of injury or damage—it’s a matter of security. Therefore the regulations surrounding its use must be tailored around that risk. Today, we’re tackling the question of whether it’s better to choose mobile application management (MAM) as a standalone product or as a part of a bundle of services.
While many industries are embracing mobile technology, a significant portion of these are just as eager to jump on the BYOD bandwagon. BYOD—which stands for Bring Your Own Device—is not the ideal choice for every industry and every company. However it has its benefits when done properly and in the right context. Particularly in an office setting, it is ideal for staff to use their own personal devices that they are familiar with.
In a setting where each device is user-owned, a standalone mobile application management service is often a preference to secure devices. This is because, unlike device-level management, MAM only focuses on controlling those applications which are in use during work. Because the information is being kept firmly within the ecosystem of approved apps, this is enough to keep it secure in the event of a lost or stolen device.
When you pay for a suite of managed mobility services, you get a variety of different services. The ones you receive depend on how you’re using mobile technology in the workplace. The plan is pertinent to your specific needs. If there is a blend of BYOD devices and corporate devices, the suite may include MAM service and mobile device management. This provides complete control of the device, from requisition and setup throughout its entire lifecycle—for the latter. It might also include management of peripherals for the mobile devices. This includes mPOS devices, barcode and RFID readers, and other attachments.
There’s no cut-and-dry answer for choosing a standalone MAM service or a suite of services tailored to your business. Instead, you should take the time to consider the unique needs of your business. Consulting an experienced enterprise mobility services provider to decide on the strategy that works best for you is wise.