A recent research confirms that there will be 92 million remote digital jobs by 2030[1].
Even with the pandemic a thing of the past, the shift from conventional work from the office to a flexible remote/hybrid model could still be an overwhelming experience for IT admins.
With the proliferation of mobile devices in the workplace, IT admins must stay smart and agile in managing them. This includes balancing turnaround times and physical distance to support user needs. The result? Loss in productivity and expanded cost to achieve the same outcome.
But there’s good news! Remote device management gives IT administrators control and real-time visibility over devices, including corporate-owned, BYO, and rugged devices. From provisioning to troubleshooting, remote mobile device management (MDM) offers a better alternative to traveling.
In this blog, we will cover all the fundamentals of remote device management for organizations and their IT teams.
What is Remote Device Management?
Remote device management entails the centralized administration and oversight of diverse devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and purpose-built devices.
The primary goal of remote device management software is to streamline the management of devices, bolster security, and facilitate seamless operations for teams spread across various locations. This objective is commonly realized through the deployment of a specialized mobile device management (MDM) solution for enterprises, enabling IT administrators to monitor, configure, update, and diagnose devices—smartphones, tablets, and laptops—from a centralized platform.
For instance, IT admins can take remote actions such as device locking, corporate data wiping, changing security policies, and removing device control on managed devices.
Challenges in Managing Remote Devices
Managing remote devices presents unique challenges, especially in today’s hybrid work environments. IT administrators face complexities such as maintaining security, connectivity, and managing device lifecycles while ensuring seamless integration across varied endpoints.
1. Managing Hybrid Work Environments
The rise of hybrid workplaces, where employees work both remotely and in-office, creates complexities for IT administrators. Managing devices across multiple locations requires more sophisticated solutions that provide equal oversight for in-office and remote devices. This makes tracking, updating, and securing endpoints more challenging.
2. Increased Employee Self-Reliance
Employees are now expected to troubleshoot basic tech issues due to the distributed nature of work. However, not all workers are tech-savvy, leading to delays in problem resolution. This shift underscores the need for user-friendly tools that allow staff to manage their devices with minimal IT intervention.
3. Maintaining Connectivity for Digital Workflows
For a digital or cloud-centric workplace to function smoothly, staff need uninterrupted access to devices and networks. Any disruption can hamper productivity and collaboration. IT teams must ensure continuous connectivity across devices, making the deployment of intuitive RDM solutions crucial for minimizing downtime.
4. Handling Security and Software Updates
Ensuring timely and consistent software updates, including security patches, is labor-intensive and prone to errors, especially with devices spread across various regions. Neglecting updates exposes companies to cybersecurity threats. Automating these updates through RDM solutions helps keep devices secure and compliant.
5. Device Lifecycle Management
Managing the lifecycle of devices—from procurement to retirement—across multiple locations is complex. IT teams must track hardware performance, replace aging devices, and ensure secure disposal. These tasks, if done manually, can be time-consuming and costly.
6. Scaling Device Management for IT Managers and MSPs
Managing a large number of devices is resource-heavy, especially for IT managers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) overseeing distributed teams. They must balance security, functionality, and performance, often with limited manpower and budget. Efficient RDM tools are vital to streamline processes, cut costs, and reduce administrative overhead.
7. Integration with Multiple Devices and Endpoints
New-age workplaces rely on the seamless interaction of various devices and endpoints. Ensuring that these devices communicate and function within a unified system presents challenges. A strong mobile device management (MDM) framework can simplify integration and create a smoother operational environment.
These points emphasize the operational, logistical, and security challenges in modern remote device management, along with the importance of adopting effective RDM solutions to overcome them.
Why Do Businesses Need Remote Device Management Solutions?
Remote management of devices saves countless hours of lost productivity and travel time. IT departments get remote access to set up devices, troubleshoot issues, and protect corporate information from theft or unauthorized access.
When devices are spread across locations, easy remote device management centrally manages updates, data, apps, device groups, and each device configuration from a single dashboard. This means organizations can work with an easily scalable, flexible cloud solution.
Leveraging a remote device management platform can streamline the IT complexities, empowering you to manage every device within your fleet remotely.
Benefits of Remote Device Management
1. Device Management at Scale
Managing a diverse device ecosystem, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets (across Windows, Android, iOS, etc.), is essential in modern workplaces. Remote device management (RDM) facilitates secure onboarding, organization, and control of large device fleets, whether company-owned or employee-owned (BYOD). IT teams can remotely monitor and manage this varied fleet without worrying about geographical limitations.
2. Increased Productivity and Reduced Downtime
RDM allows IT administrators to troubleshoot devices remotely, reducing downtime and eliminating the need for in-person visits. By addressing technical issues promptly, employees can remain productive, avoiding long delays that interrupt workflow.
3. Centralized Control for Multi-Location Management
When managing devices across multiple locations, RDM offers a single dashboard to oversee updates, app installations, and configurations. This centralized approach ensures that every device remains up to date and compliant, no matter where it is located.
4. Enhanced Security and Data Protection
Remote access requires stringent security measures to protect sensitive data, especially in cases of lost or stolen devices. RDM solutions allow IT to locate, lock, or wipe compromised devices to prevent unauthorized access. Unusual behavior or security breaches can also be detected and addressed immediately.
5. Usage Monitoring
RDM provides insights into how employees are using their devices, such as monitoring data usage and identifying underutilized devices. This helps optimize resources and ensure efficient device usage, without the need for manual checks.
6. Scalability and Flexibility
Cloud-based RDM solutions offer scalability, allowing organizations to easily expand their device management capacity as needed. Whether you’re managing a few devices or an extensive fleet, RDM solutions adapt to the growing demands without overwhelming your IT team.
7. Simplified IT Management
By using an RDM platform, businesses can simplify complex IT processes, such as updating software, installing patches, and managing security. IT teams can manage the entire fleet of devices remotely, freeing up time for more strategic tasks.
8. Cost-Effective IT Operations
RDM reduces the need for costly on-site visits and minimizes device downtime. Companies save on travel and maintenance expenses, while improving efficiency with real-time monitoring and faster issue resolution, ultimately increasing ROI.
9. Boosted Productivity and Flexibility
RDM platforms enable flexible working environments, giving employees the ability to use preferred devices with secure access to corporate systems from anywhere. Faster issue resolution leads to enhanced productivity, allowing employees to work uninterrupted.
10. Seamless Integration
RDM tools are designed to integrate smoothly with existing infrastructures, whether your organization uses Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS devices. Integration with business applications like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace ensures operational continuity, without disrupting daily workflows.
Key Features of Remote Device Management Software
1. Remote Access & Control
The ability to remotely access and control mobile devices is a fundamental component of remote device management. It allows IT staff to troubleshoot device issues without requiring devices to return for a physical inspection, resulting in reduced downtime. Some MDM solutions not only allow IT personnel to remotely access devices but also record sessions or connect with end users over VoIP calls for faster troubleshooting.
2. Device Lock
Remote device lock is a security feature that prevents the misuse of a device if it gets lost or stolen. IT admins can remotely lock down devices from the centralized MDM dashboard. In the event a device is retrieved, employees can enter their password to unlock the device. It’s recommended that a passcode policy for mobile devices be enforced under remote management.
3. Data Wipe
The ability to wipe sensitive data from any lost devices provides an added layer of security to mobile devices that access corporate data and applications. In a BYOD scenario, all the data and apps in the work profile container on devices can be remotely erased. The remote device management platform can’t alter personal apps and data.
4. Manage Unattended Devices
Organizations that use mobile devices for commercial purposes must also improve their remote monitoring capabilities. Businesses benefit by converting mobile devices into digital signage, POS terminals, information booths, and self-service kiosks. However, physically managing several devices located across multiple locations is unrealistic. IT admins can remotely configure unattended devices for single- or multiple-app experiences using remote device management. IT teams can restart and shut down such devices to diagnose and repair issues.
5. Schedule Regular Alerts
IT teams can keep a close tab on enrolled mobile devices to view details about installed apps, blacklisted apps, and restrictions imposed on the device, along with other device details, including OS versions, storage, and battery levels. MDM solutions support remote visibility and reporting of device health, security, data usage, and compliance violations.
Which Remote Device Management Tool is Right for Your Business?
Selecting the right remote device management tool is crucial for optimizing device control, security, and productivity. From managing mobile and desktop devices to handling IoT systems and providing remote troubleshooting, each tool type serves specific business needs. Here’s a detailed guide to help you choose the best fit for your organization.
1. Mobile Device Management (MDM)
MDM solutions are tailored for managing mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, particularly iOS and Android. These platforms allow IT teams to enforce security policies, deploy over-the-air updates, and remotely manage apps. MDM is crucial for organizations embracing mobile-first strategies, ensuring security and compliance across devices. MDM tool like Scalefusion offer centralized dashboards to control a wide array of mobile devices, making it easy to implement consistent configurations and handle lost or stolen devices through features like remote lock and wipe.
2. Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)
RMM tools are designed for overseeing desktops, servers, and IT infrastructure, typically focusing on Windows and macOS devices. IT administrators use these platforms to monitor system performance, deploy updates, and track security vulnerabilities. RMM also supports lifecycle management, helping businesses maintain their IT equipment effectively. These tools are essential for IT service providers or enterprises managing large device fleets across multiple locations.
3. RDM for IoT Devices
RDM solutions for IoT devices provide centralized control and automation for a wide variety of connected devices like security cameras, smart displays, kiosks, and point-of-sale systems. IoT devices often operate remotely, requiring consistent monitoring and troubleshooting. These platforms enable real-time status updates, remote configuration, and automated issue resolution, ensuring uptime and performance across the entire network.
4. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
RDP allows IT teams to remotely access and control devices, enabling them to troubleshoot and fix issues in real-time as though they were physically in front of the device. This feature is often integrated within MDM and RMM platforms, allowing administrators to resolve problems more efficiently and reduce downtime. Tools like Scalefusion, TeamViewer, LogMeIn, and Splashtop provide seamless remote desktop capabilities, enhancing support and allowing technicians to install software, manage files, and address technical issues remotely without requiring users to bring devices to a central location.
Scalefusion UEM: All-in-One Solution for Your Remote Device Management Needs
Considering the existence of hybrid or remote work and security challenges in the mobile-first era, mobile device management with remote access is now a necessity for IT teams. Organizations can extract cost savings by improving the efficiency and performance of IT departments and reducing device maintenance expenses.
Speak to our experts and schedule a live demo to experience how Scalefusion’s remote device management can empower business mobility. Sign up for a 14-day free trial now!
FAQs
Q1. What is the function of remote management?
Remote management enables IT administrators to monitor, configure, and maintain devices from a centralized platform without needing physical access. It allows for tasks like software updates, security patches, troubleshooting, and device configuration across large-scale deployments, ensuring efficient device management. Tools like Scalefusion UEM streamline control of both company-owned and BYOD devices.
Q2. How does remote device management work?
Remote device management (RDM) works by leveraging software that connects devices to a central management system. Through this platform, IT teams can perform tasks like installing updates, managing applications, and enforcing security policies remotely. RDM software automates monitoring and troubleshooting, making it easier to manage multiple devices across various locations without manual intervention.
Q3. What is the difference between remote access & remote control?
Remote access allows IT admins to connect to a device to view or interact with its system, typically to manage files or execute tasks. Remote control, on the other hand, gives full command of the device’s functions, allowing admins to operate it as if they were physically present, performing tasks like troubleshooting, system configuration, or software installations.
Q4. Can I manage both company-owned and BYOD devices using an RDM platform?
Yes, an RDM platform like Scalefusion or similar solutions can manage both company-owned and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) devices. These platforms enable IT to remotely configure, monitor, and secure a mix of devices within a unified dashboard, enforcing consistent policies while allowing flexibility for users to work on their personal devices.
Q5. How should I implement remote device management in my company?
To implement remote device management, start by selecting an RDM platform that supports your device ecosystem, whether it’s mobile devices (MDM), desktops (RMM), or IoT. Ensure it integrates seamlessly with your existing systems. Develop policies for security, device usage, and updates, then onboard devices through centralized enrollment. Regularly monitor device health and enforce updates to ensure consistent performance across the network.
References:
1. World Economic Forum
