Mobile device management
Encyclopedia
Mobile Device Management (MDM) software secures, monitors, manages and supports mobile devices deployed across mobile operators, service providers and enterprises. 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. This applies to both company-owned and employee-owned devices across the enterprise or mobile devices owned by consumers.
By controlling and protecting the data and configuration settings for all mobile devices in the network, MDM can greatly reduce support costs and business risks. The intent of MDM is to optimize the functionality and security of a mobile communications network while minimizing cost and downtime.
With mobile devices becoming ubiquitous and applications flooding the market, mobile monitoring is growing in importance. Numerous vendors help mobile device manufacturers, content portals and developers, test and monitor the delivery of their mobile content, applications and services. This testing of content is done real time by simulating the action of thousands of customers and detecting and correcting bugs in the applications.
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:
(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.
message. Binary SMS is a message including binary data.
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.
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s, smartphones, tablet computer
Tablet computer
A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen...
s, ruggedized mobile computers, mobile printers, mobile POS devices, etc. This applies to both company-owned and employee-owned devices across the enterprise or mobile devices owned by consumers.
By controlling and protecting the data and configuration settings for all mobile devices in the network, MDM can greatly reduce support costs and business risks. The intent of MDM is to optimize the functionality and security of a mobile communications network while minimizing cost and downtime.
With mobile devices becoming ubiquitous and applications flooding the market, mobile monitoring is growing in importance. Numerous vendors help mobile device manufacturers, content portals and developers, test and monitor the delivery of their mobile content, applications and services. This testing of content is done real time by simulating the action of thousands of customers and detecting and correcting bugs in the applications.
Implementation
Typically solutions include a server component, which sends out the management commands to the mobile devices, and a client component, 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
Windows Update
Windows Update is a service provided by Microsoft that provides updates for the Microsoft Windows operating system and its installed components, including Internet Explorer...
.
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:
- 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 AllianceOpen Mobile Alliance
The Open Mobile Alliance is a standards body which develops open standards for the mobile phone industry.- Principles :Mission: To provide interoperable service enablers working across countries, operators and mobile terminals....
(OMA) specified a platform-independent device management protocol called
OMA Device Management
OMA Device Management
OMA Device Management is a device management protocol specified by the Open Mobile Alliance Device Management Working Group and the Data Synchronization Working Group...
. The specification meets the common definitions of an open standard
Open standard
An open standard is a standard that is publicly available and has various rights to use associated with it, and may also have various properties of how it was designed . There is no single definition and interpretations vary with usage....
, 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 SMSSMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
message. Binary SMS is a message including binary data.
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.
See also
- The SyncML InitiativeThe SyncML InitiativeThe SyncML Initiative, Ltd. was a non-profit corporation formed by a group of companies who co-operated to produce an open standard for data synchronization and device management....
- OMA Device ManagementOMA Device ManagementOMA Device Management is a device management protocol specified by the Open Mobile Alliance Device Management Working Group and the Data Synchronization Working Group...
- Open Mobile AllianceOpen Mobile AllianceThe Open Mobile Alliance is a standards body which develops open standards for the mobile phone industry.- Principles :Mission: To provide interoperable service enablers working across countries, operators and mobile terminals....
- Device Management ForumDevice Management ForumThe is a company formed in December 2006 to promote the interests of major stakeholders in the development, distribution, management, security and use of information, communication and entertainment devices...
- Over the Air programming
- Mobile application managementMobile application managementMobile Application Management describes software and services that accelerate and simplify the creation of internally-developed or “in-house” enterprise mobile applications...
External links
- An IT Manager's Guide to Managing Personal Devices in the Enterprise
- What is Mobile Device Management?
- Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Mobile Device Management Software (Dead Link)
- Open Mobile Alliance Device Management Specifications 1.2
- Article on the Case for Device Management
- How mobile device management works