What Is MDM and Why You Need It for IT Asset Management

Noah Edis
Noah Edis
Published
· 3 min read
MDM blog post cover

In this day and age, businesses would be lucky to only manage one device per employee. The reality is that employees typically need access to a variety of devices during their tenure with a company, where each has their own set of security requirements and configuration settings. In light of this, what do you do? Do you start a master spreadsheet? Maintain a physical log? Coordinate device management over email? Or simply go with the flow?

Spoiler alert: It’s none of the above. The most proven way to manage devices within an organization is to have an MDM onboarding system in place.

What Is MDM?

MDM standards for “mobile device management,” and although it might sound like it, it doesn’t just concern work phones. It’s a software solution that tracks and manages all types of devices, like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. With this one software in place for the IT department and other relevant parties to refer to in real time, you get a nice birds-eye-view of all your organization’s devices.

How MDM Can Streamline IT Asset Management

Managing such an extensive fleet of IT assets can be a real challenge, especially if you have to deal with remote onboarding or manage a large number of employees. With these extra bumps in the road, logistics becomes much more complicated, and the number of assets you’ll need to oversee can make things feel twice as overwhelming. 

With MDM, you can actually have a process and system in place to handle everything, and it’ll optimize workflows in a variety of key ways:

  • Centralizes control – Rather than having a spreadsheet for one device here, a log for certain employees there, and just in general, files and dashboards scattered all over the place, MDM brings all of that information to a single space so everyone has access to current and accurate data.
  • Stricter security policies – When there isn’t cohesiveness involved, security measures tend to become overly relaxed. IT departments may miss important vulnerabilities, like forgetting to wipe files or revoke access to offboarded employees. With MDM, IT can implement all sorts of updates and actions across the board to ensure enforcement and consistency.
  • Better monitoring – Aside from the one-stop-shop control we mentioned earlier, there’s also the benefit of here-and-now monitoring, so any issues can be addressed right away.
  • Configure devices remotely – MDM systems can allow IT to access devices without a physical presence, which is particularly useful in the case of remote onboarding. It’s a feature called “zero-touch provisioning,” which connects devices to an MDM server. Things like applications, security settings, and other configurations can immediately be applied—no tedious recognition process or manual setup required.
  • Provides a smoother user experience – Device management is littered with routine tasks that can eat up a lot of precious time. MDM has a component of automation that is able to handle traditionally cumbersome processes to improve productivity.
  • Compliance-friendly – Every business knows that ignoring regulatory compliance requirements is a no-no. Not only does it send you into a frenzy of legal headaches and financial burdens, but it can destabilize otherwise steady operations. It’s a lot easier to stay compliant with MDM because they typically have reporting features and auditing tools for these purposes.
  • Reduces manual onboarding efforts – There’s nothing worse than having to go through a process manually—it’s almost like writing a long essay out by hand when you have all the tools to do it digitally. MDM onboarding comes with valuable automation features that let you reduce effort, stay consistent, and make sure every device is configured as planned.

How Dots’ ITAM Approach is Even Better

While MDM software is designed to manage corporate devices like laptops, it does leave out a missing piece of the broader IT management puzzle. Within the IT asset realm, there’s also the procurement and deployment aspects to worry about, which MDM doesn’t address. 

That’s why Dots presents its very-own ITAM software to help companies manage IT asset management from end to end. From IT purchasing, to effectively onboarding a new hire, to initiating automated IT procurement through a world-class logistics network, and potentially offboarding that employee in the future, Dots supports you every step of the way.

Book a demo with Dots today to find out what our comprehensive ITAM solution can do for your business.

Noah Edis
Noah Edis
Noah Edis is a technical content specialist and systems engineer with a wealth of experience in modern software. When he's not working, you can find him playing competitive dodgeball or programming.

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