Mobile Application Management Versus Mobile Device Management

mobile application management cloud

MAM and MDM Overlap and Differ In Many Ways

To get a job done right, you need the best tools for that job. Mobile devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets are becoming important tools in the modern working world. With power comes great responsibility. As businesses need to provide adequate solutions for employees to use these devices in the workplace.

Ultimately, companies want productive employees who can serve customers and clients with ease. Mobile devices can provide this ease by including developed applications, data and information for employees to use at the office and on the go. With mobile application management, a parking ticket agent can use an app to process information about ticket violations and payments. The debate becomes whether employees are given company devices or use their own on the job. How can companies provide the information required to do business on mobile devices and maintain security?

MAM For Applications

Mobile Application Management (MAM) has become a sought after solution largely driven by the “bring your own device” (BYOD) trend. BYOD refers to the practice of letting employees bring personal devices to the office. Even students in schools can use their own to access information. The concept is like the old “if you can’t beat them, join them” idea.  If people are going to use devices for work or work devices for personal use, it should be easy for them. Mobile application management focuses more on deliver, control and administration over the applications on the device. Businesses can have their own “app store” for employees for apps as a result, without a complete takeover of their personal device.

As a result these applications are then manageable with little burden on I.T. However, with the lack of control over the entire device comes a larger risk to security if companies aren’t careful.

MDM More Intrusive

This is where Mobile Device Management (MDM) becomes a less risk averse option.  But MDM is less popular with some employees. This is due to the intrusive nature of managing the entire device and its data as opposed to  a few applications. It essentially means that employees are provided with devices that adhere to company security and access policies.  However  there are tools available for MDM on both company and employees’ devices.

Whether it is mobile application management or mobile device management, data and apps are driving the business world forward. With these developments come more monitoring as well as information tracking and a bigger marketplace for mobile technology.

Learn more about what our mobile device management solutions can do for you.