As the use of mobile devices continues to rise, larger companies are finding themselves at a crossroads. In many cases, these companies pay for their employees’ business phones, and therefore, they need to try to control how those devices are used. Fortunately, there are plenty of Mobile Device Management (MDM) applications available that can help.

MDM allows a company to do many things, including the following:

  • Manage what an employee installs on the phone
  • Control how often phones are used
  • Force company policy compliance
  • Remote wipe a device
  • Detect Jailbreaking
  • Remote lock a device
  • Block external memory
  • Enforce passwords

With this in mind, I’d like to highlight three companies that are sure bets for providing enterprise-level control over mobile devices. Each of these companies are well prepared to help you control all mobile devices under your company plan.


AirWatch

Based in Atlanta, GA, AirWatch started out in 2003 from the wireless network management services and ruggedized device market. AirWatch specializes in device status monitoring and help desk controls. Their MDM services support the following platforms:

  • Android
  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • Nokia S60
  • Windows (Panasonic Toughbooks)
  • Windows Mobile
  • Windows 7
  • BlackBerry

There are three different ways to deploy AirWatch:

  • As a cloud-based service, where everything is handled on the AirWatch servers
  • Installed on a local server
  • As a purchased, turnkey solution

Obviously, there are pros and cons for each of the solutions above. The solution you deploy will depend upon your company needs and budget.

AirWatch features

  • Mobile device management
  • Mobile content management
  • Mobile email management
  • Easy to use, web-based console
  • Highly scaleable
  • Cross-platform
  • Secure role-based access
  • Mobile email gateway
  • Intelligent notifications
  • Multi-tenant architecture
  • Robust reporting tools

Pricing

  • In the cloud: $3.00 per device (maintenance included)
  • On premise: $40.00 per device, $2,000.00 installation service (maintenance = 20% of license purchase per year)
  • Software appliance: $6,500.00 (includes 50 perpetual licenses), $2,000.00 installation service (maintenance = 20% of license purchase per year)

BoxTone

BoxTone is based in Columbia, Maryland, and comes into the market with a solid understanding of security as applied to the mobile device. The company began in 2000. They have a huge BlackBerry deployment and continue to grow and pick up new platforms. BoxTone supports the following devices:

  • Android
  • IOS
  • BlackBerry
  • Windows Mobile

There is also limited support for the following:

  • HP Palm OS
  • Nokia S60
  • Nokia
  • MeeGo

Additionally, BoxTone provides seamless integration with the following:

  • BlackBerry BES
  • Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
  • Good Technologies

BoxTone features

  • Mobile Device Management:
    • Rapidly and securely deploy mobile devices, tablets, and applications
    • Automate policy, compliance, configuration
    • Manage deployed applications
  • Mobile Support Management
    • Automate service desk and user self-service
    • Helps with First Call Closure Rates
    • Reduces mobile support costs
  • Mobile Operations Management:
    • Real-time automated monitoring
    • Performance monitoring
    • Easy-to-use dashboard
    • Alerting and system tuning
  • Mobile Business Management:
    • Sophisticated analysis and reporting
    • Analyze mobility ROI and TCO

Pricing: Contact BoxTone to request a demo and price quote.

Capricode

Capricode is based out of Oulu, Finland. The company started in 2002, but they didn’t dive into the MDM market until 2006. Capricode sales are mainly in the Nordic countries. Their SyncShield Advanced Mobile Device Management product is available as:

  • An on-premises solution
  • SaaS
  • Hosted solution

SyncShield feaures

  • Supports iPhone, Android, Symbian, and Windows Mobile platforms
  • Single server installation supports over 10,000 mobile devices
  • SyncShield only takes a few minutes
  • New mobile device can be added to SyncShield quickly
  • All operations are handled OTA
  • Platform independent
  • Easy-to-use, efficient interface
  • Managed service and hosted service require no hardware investments

Pricing: Contact Capricode for information on pricing.

There are plenty of other MDM solutions available. You no longer have to worry about your employees not complying with policies or misusing their mobile devices. These services can easily (and in some cases, cheaply) handle the complicated task of managing the mobile devices in your company.

What MDM solution do you use in your organization? Share your experience in the discussion thread below.