Mobile Device Management (MDM) software secures, monitors, manages and supports mobile devices deployed across an enterprise. Enterprise-grade MDM functionality typically includes over-the-air distribution of applications, data and configuration settings for all types of mobile devices, including mobile phones, , smart-phones, i-Pads, tablet computers 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 being utilized across the enterprise.
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.
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 devices being manged are large in numbers.
Some of the functionalities desired in MDM platform are –
- Firmware over the air updates
- Remote Diagnostics
- Remote Configuration and Provisioning
- Security
- Backup/Restore
- Network Usage and Support
- Application Deployment
- Mobile Asset Tracking and Management
- Remote Lock and Wipe
- Device Provisioning
- Software Installation
- Troubleshooting
- Policy Application
- Logging and Reporting
- Remote Control and Administration
-Cheers
Mobile Phone Virtualization is being developed by many well known vendors like VMWare. (http://www.vmware.com/products/mobile/)
ReplyDeleteOnce a market ready product, it will resolve many security related, compatibility related, management related, data segregation related problems that an Enterprise faces today.
Application developers will have to write their code for one platform rather than three-four platforms as happening today.
So in the near future, it does not matter you carry an Android or a iOS device. If you have the virtual client, all internally developed application should work seamlessly and securely.