Mobile device management: Difference between revisions
Bootcamp66 (talk | contribs) →Vendors offering MDM solutions: Added active links to Odyssey Software's wikipedia page and product. |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Mobile Device Management''' (MDM) software secures, monitors, manages and supports mobile devices deployed across an enterprise. |
'''Mobile Device Management''' (MDM) software secures, monitors, manages and supports mobile devices deployed across an operators, service prioider and enterprise. MDM functionality typically includes over-the-air distribution of applications, data and configuration settings for all types of mobile devices, including [[mobile phone]]s, smartphones, [[tablet computer]]s, ruggedized mobile computers, mobile printers, mobile POS devices, etc. The intent of MDM is to optimize the functionality and security of a mobile communications network while minimizing cost and downtime. This applies to both company-owned and employee-owned devices across the enterprise.<ref>[http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,290660,sid40_gci1196634,00.html What is mobile device management? - a definition from Whatis.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.mobiledevicemanagement.org/mobile-device-management-overview Mobile device management overview ]</ref><ref>[http://www.devicemanagement.org/content/view/20754/152/ A comprehensive article on mobile device management ]</ref> |
||
==Implementation== |
==Implementation== |
||
Revision as of 19:54, 9 May 2011
Mobile Device Management (MDM) software secures, monitors, manages and supports mobile devices deployed across an operators, service prioider and enterprise. MDM functionality typically includes over-the-air distribution of applications, data and configuration settings for all types of mobile devices, including mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, ruggedized mobile computers, mobile printers, mobile POS devices, etc. The intent of MDM is to optimize the functionality and security of a mobile communications network while minimizing cost and downtime. This applies to both company-owned and employee-owned devices across the enterprise.[1][2][3]
Implementation
Typically solutions include a server component, which sends out the management commands to the mobile devices, and a client command, which runs on the handset and receives and implements the management commands. In some cases, a single vendor may provide both the client and the server, in others client and server will come from different sources.
The management of mobile devices has evolved over time. At first it was necessary to either connect to the handset or install a SIM in order to make changes and updates; scalability was a problem.
One of the next steps was to allow a client initiated update, similar to when a user requests a Windows Update.
Central remote management, using commands sent over the air, is the next step. An administrator at the mobile operator, an enterprise IT data center or a handset OEM can use an administrative console to update or configure any one handset, group or groups of handsets. This obviously provides scalability benefits particularly useful when the fleet of managed devices is large in size.
Central functionality includes:[4][5]
- FOTA - Firmware over the air updates
- Diagnostics
- Remote Configuration and Provisioning
- Security
- Backup/Restore
- Network Usage and Support
- Server Deployment
- Mobile Asset Tracking and Management
- Remote Lock and Wipe
- Device Provisioning
- Software Installation
- Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Tools
- Policy Application
- Logging and Reporting
- Remote Control and Administration
- GPS Tracking and 'Breadcrumb' Mapping
Device Management specifications
The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) specified a platform-independent device management protocol called OMA Device Management. The specification meets the common definitions of an open standard, meaning the specification is freely available and implementable. It is supported by several mobile devices, such as PDAs and mobile phones..
Over the air
Over-the-Air (OTA) capabilities are considered a main component of mobile network operator and enterprise-grade Mobile Device Management software. These capabilities include the ability to remotely configure a single mobile device, an entire fleet of mobile devices or any IT-defined set of mobile devices; send software and OS updates; remotely lock and wipe a device, which protects the data stored on the device when it is lost or stolen; and remote troubleshooting. OTA commands are sent as a binary SMS message. Binary SMS is a message including binary data.[6]
Mobile Device Management software enables corporate IT departments to proactively and systematically manage the growing universe of mobile devices used across the enterprise; subsequently, over-the-air capabilities are in high demand. Enterprises using OTA SMS as part of their MDM infrastructure demand high quality in the sending of OTA messages, what imposes on SMS gateway providers to offer a high level of quality and reliability.
Vendors offering MDM solutions
- AirWatch
- Amtelnet (MDM)
- Alepo's OMA-DM Server Product
- BoxTone Inc.
- Sybase (Afaria product)
- FAMOC
- Good Technology
- RIM (BlackBerry)
- Nokia (Intellisync product)
- The Institution - (REVIVAL Mobile Management Suite product)
- Juniper Networks (Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite product)
- McAfee Enterprise Mobility Management
- Mobile Active Defense MECS
- MobileIron
- Odyssey Software - (Athena product)
- Symantec Mobile Security Suite
- Tangoe Mobile Device Manager
- Zenprise (MobileManager 6.0 product)
- Ibelem PushManager
- MFormation Technologies
- MaaS360 by Fiberlink