Switching MDM Providers or Platforms Opens Up Optimization
Mobile device management (MDM) is rightfully viewed as a critical component for enterprise businesses across virtually every industry today. While many organizations have implemented MDM, few are truly maximizing their opportunities in this realm. Investigating your options with MDM migration can unlock more benefits, cost savings and help businesses extend the life of their mobile fleets.
When speaking about MDM migrations, the definition has taken on a different meaning in recent years. Traditionally, the term has referred to operating system or platform migrations. For example, many warehouse operations and related logistics organizations instituted migrations from Windows to Android systems when Microsoft pulled back from supporting mobile management in such environments. However, it’s becoming increasingly more common for enterprises to examine and ponder a full MDM migration — switching from an MDM plan (platform) overseeing your current fleet of devices to another option.
While many companies have adopted the use of a MDM plan (platform) or partner to account for myriad devices, and to secure them and the data they use, few have taken the time to continue to look for optimal solutions once they have a MDM platform in place. Answering some of these questions should illustrate if you’re ready to begin exploring other solutions and may be ready for to execute a MDM migration:
- Do you know what it costs to implement your current MDM solution? Do you know what comparable plans cost?
- Are you frustrated by relatively low (60-70%) success rates when pushing basic updates? Are you interested in solutions to elevate this percentage?
- Do you wish your MDM plan (platform) did more? Are there key features you expected to be using, but aren’t?
- Are you getting full value from your MDM plan (platform)? Are you 100% happy with your current MDM solution?
At TRG, we’re the partner that can help you evaluate MDM solutions and find the right plan — with the right functionality — that can best serve your business and its goals. Whether you’re desperate for a new MDM platform, or merely interested in what’s available, we can present options you weren’t aware of, provide the opportunity for potential savings and add value through increased functionality from MDM designed around what matters most to your organization.
Get Your MDM Blueprint: Address MDM strategy from every angle with the Mobile Device Management Playbook, a free resource. Download it here.
Use MDM Migration to Optimize
Many businesses have already recognized the necessity for MDM in three general areas: Deploying a new fleet, upgrading a current fleet, and extending the life of a fleet currently in use. MDM migration can be used to augment those same areas and improve results by more than simply sticking with a MDM that your company has outgrown or is poorly optimized.
For example,
consider the role of integrated analytics in mobile device management. By using analytics — those either native to the MDM solution or as a separate add on — businesses gain far greater visibility into their mobile devices and how they’re used. Covering application information, device and network data, security, and more, analytics can be used to access performance, troubleshoot issues and improve performance and efficiency.
If your MDM isn’t taking advantage of these benefits, you’re failing to capitalize on everything such programs offer. Remember, MDM migration often leads to discovery of tools and features that aren’t being used (or used properly) to deliver more of what you need from an organizational standpoint. Examining other options also allows businesses to find the right tools for the right job, without paying for features you don’t need.
Shattering the Pane of Glass
For instance, early generation MDM platforms often focused oversight into a ‘single pane of glass’ — a management tool that unified data and/or interfaces across several different sources to present them in a single. However, more and more companies are thinking twice about the one-size-fits-all approach to device management and investing in solutions that manage devices by their native ecosystem instead.
If your fleet is primarily organized around Microsoft devices and integration with Office 365 is a key concern, then the Microsoft MDM solution (Intune) will be the best tool for the task. However, If you rely on rugged devices and an Android platform then you’d want another solution. If you have competing environments, or ecosystems, finding a MDM through migration that gives visibility into both is essential.
Migrating isn’t a decision reached lightly and the process to execute a migration involves handling many details and coordinating the management of thousands of devices. Partnering with the right provider will give you the assistance to both optimize your current MDM, or find the one that fits your needs better. The right provider will be able to confidently walk you through every step.
You should consider MDM migration if:
- The cost of your current MDM is too high
- Your current MDM does not provide the support you expect
- You need a MDM solution with more robust features and flexibility
Executing a MDM migration checklist:
- Contact TRG’s MDM Team to help create the proper migration checklist for your environment
- Create a timeline for the entire process
- Evaluate and closely document existing workflows
- Prepare for the transition
- Export data from the previous MDM solution
- Discuss with TRG if you need to turn in all devices and/or perform wipes or un-enroll existing devices; In some cases, the migration can be executed without these steps
- Re-enroll devices into the MDM platform
- Conduct device assignments
- Check device inventory to ensure data transfer and device
Power MDM with Analytics: Mature MDM programs are able to leverage mobile device analytics to further streamline operations and add efficiency. Learn more here.
TRG Experts Execute MDM Migrations that Move the Needle
Your company’s needs are always changing and the technology that helps address those needs is always evolving. It’s probable that at some point you may outgrow your MDM provider’s capability.
Are you utilizing the full potential of your MDM? Let TRG come in and evaluate. We ensure you’re maximizing your value out of any MDM solution and present you options to acquiring the tools needed to fulfill your specific requirements. With more than 20 years of experience and vendor partnerships across the full spectrum of possibilities, we have the expertise to guide the industry’s most comprehensive suite of lifecycle management services.
TRG helps you evaluate alternatives, develop project plans and execute technology transformations. Once a solution is decided upon, our single-source deployment solutions will handle staging, kitting and configuration to simplify technology rollouts. Once your solution is up and running, TRG will ensure it stays that way with comprehensive managed services for the repair, maintenance and logistical support that eliminate downtime.
Connect with TRG to learn more about MDM migration and how you can get more out of these critical tools to accelerate projects, improve employee experience and maximize ROI.