Employees love mobile devices for their convenience. Ironically, so do hackers.
It’s hard to think back to a time without smartphones, tablets, and laptops within arm’s reach. In fact, a whole generation knows only this reality. These devices house more than personal information—they are a gateway to company assets and login credentials.
While employees conduct business, access critical data, and collaborate with colleagues, their flexibility and productivity come with an overwhelming responsibility of mobility management.
Enterprise IT teams must manage a sprawling network of devices, mitigate evolving security threats, and ensure seamless connectivity across different time zones and geographies.
Let’s dive into seven key strategies that help your team win at enterprise mobility management.
1. Establish a clear mobility strategy
Organizations risk fragmented solutions, security vulnerabilities, and user dissatisfaction without a well-defined strategy. A comprehensive mobility strategy addresses critical areas such as:
- Supported device types
- Ownership models (bring-your-own-device vs. corporate-issued)
- App ecosystems
- Security policies
- Employee usage guidelines
According to Samsung, nearly 40 percent of companies adopt the bring-your-own-device model, while another 46 percent use a hybrid policy. These devices need securely managed business applications. Otherwise, companies open themselves to data breaches.
A documented roadmap guides enterprise mobility processes and employee understanding, ultimately bridging the gap between business objectives and user needs.
2. Embrace cloud solutions
On-premises mobility solutions are increasingly impractical for global enterprises. The cloud delivers a compelling alternative, providing centralized management across multiple locations. These solutions also simplify patching and offer the flexibility to accommodate fluctuating users.
In addition, there’s the potential for significant cost savings compared to maintaining in-house infrastructure. While concerns about data security and vendor lock-in are valid, modern cloud providers offer robust security measures and flexible deployment options.
3. Prioritize the user experience (UX)
Any new technology needs a detailed rollout plan for effective implementation. IT-centric mobility solutions often fall short due to poor user adoption.
A cumbersome mobile integration hinders employee engagement, decreases productivity, and encourages workers to seek out their own unsanctioned solutions.
The user experience (UX) becomes paramount to protecting company assets and avoiding shadow IT activities. Finding the appropriate balance between UX and security requires cross-team collaboration and user feedback.
Employees appreciate intuitive interfaces, self-service portals, and streamlined workflows—any features that make their lives easier.
4. Opt for unified endpoint management (UEM) tools
While Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Application Management (MAM), and other point solutions are valuable, Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) takes a more holistic approach.
UEM consolidates the management of all endpoints—smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even IoT devices—into a single pane of glass. This streamlined approach to enterprise mobility services simplifies IT workflows, ensures consistent policies across device types, and reduces the risk of oversight gaps.
UEM streamlines technology and fosters a unified mindset within connectivity teams, promoting collaboration and efficiency.
5. Take proactive security measures
The threat landscape constantly evolves with new ransomware, phishing techniques, and social engineering scams. According to Verizon, over two-thirds of data breaches involve a non-malicious human element.
Between bad actors and human error, an enterprise must adopt a proactive security posture. That means leveraging Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions, user behavior analytics, and zero-trust principles adapted to the mobile environment.
6. Follow the data to optimize performance
Enterprise mobility management tools offer a wealth of analytics besides device inventory. Understanding app usage patterns informs decisions about which apps to support or deprecate.
Analyzing network traffic trends optimizes bandwidth allocation. Security incident data enables more robust risk mitigation, better intrusion detection, and faster response times.
By embracing data-driven decision-making, connectivity teams go beyond addressing endpoint protection to delivering company-wide efficiencies.
7. Choose the right provider
There is no one-size-fits-all mobility solution. Selecting the right provider requires careful consideration of factors such as global reach and support, industry-specific expertise, and a product roadmap that aligns with your future vision.
If in-house skills are limited, partnering with a managed service provider offers a turnkey solution, providing connectivity expertise and support without extensive internal resources.
Conclusion—Bring more value to your mobile program
Successful mobility management isn’t about a one-time win—enterprises must play the long game.
It requires a strategic approach encompassing a well-defined mobility strategy, proactive security, cloud adoption, and unified endpoint management tools. Without a user-friendly experience and implementation, even the best technologies won’t stick.
The right technology partner helps navigate these decisions while offering data-based insights to drive productivity and cost-efficiency.
Ultimately, endpoint management is about far more than connectivity. By embracing these principles, companies will turn their global, mobile workforce into a valuable asset for growth and innovation.
Our team of experts is ready to guide you toward a secure, productive, and agile mobile environment. Contact us to discuss improving your company’s mobility management.