As the work-from-home movement continues to grow in popularity, more and more businesses are turning to remote device management software to help them manage and monitor their connected devices. But what is remote device management software? And how can it help your business?

In this article, we'll answer those questions and take a look at the practice of remote device management.

What is Remote Device Management?

RDM refers to the practice of controlling, securing, and enforcing policies upon an organization's digital endpoints. It is typically handled by IT administrators and involves devices like smartphones and tablets. The goal of RDM is to maintain a holistic overview of a business' technological assets, as well as both manage and protect them in an organized way.

Why companies use Remote Device Management Software

Organizations big and small use remote and mobile device management software to consolidate, oversee, and control their assets in a centralized way. It gives them the ability to simplify, and in some cases automate the process of remote device management.

How IT Administrators Use RDM Software

There is a wide range of ways in which IT administrators can use RDM software to support the management of their organization's digital endpoints. Here are some of the most common.

Enrolling new devices: When a new employee joins the company or an existing employee gets a new IoT device, IT admins can use RDM software to quickly and easily enrol the device into the system. This generally involves providing the software with some basic information about the device and the user, after which the software will take care of the rest. Luckily, most RDM platforms work with more than one operating system, so whether a company uses Apple or Android devices, compatibility is rarely an issue.

Managing apps and updates: One of the most common uses for RDM software is managing apps and updates. IT admins can use the software to remotely manage, install or update apps on multiple devices, as well as control which apps are allowed or blocked on them. Mobile device management software will often partition device hard drives between personal and work apps. This can be a helpful way to keep devices up-to-date and secure, as well as ensuring that employees have the apps they need to do their job.

Enforcing policies: RDM software can also be used to enforce policies on devices. This might involve setting restrictions on certain apps or functions, requiring a password for certain actions, or setting up remotely-wiping for data in the event that a device is lost or stolen. By enforcing policies, IT admins can help keep devices secure and ensure that employees are using them in the way that they're supposed to.

Remotely wiping data: In the event that a device is lost or stolen, IT admins can use RDM software to remotely wipe all of the data on the device. This helps to protect both the business' data and the employee's personal data, and can be a helpful way to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.

The Benefits of Remote Device Management Software

There are several benefits that come with using Remote Device Management software, both for businesses and for IT admins. The following is a breakdown of the most important and what specific challenges they improve.

Greater Control and Visibility

One of the biggest benefits of RDM software is that it gives businesses greater control and visibility over their digital endpoints. By using RDM software, businesses can see exactly what devices are being used, who is using them and how they're being used. This can be helpful in a number of ways, including identifying potential security risks, troubleshooting issues and understanding which devices are being used most effectively.

Simplified Management

Another big benefit of RDM software is that it simplifies the management of digital endpoints. IT admins can use the software to remotely install and update apps, manage software, apps, devices and enforce policies. This can save a lot of time and effort, making managing of digital assets a more streamlined process.

Increased Security

RDM software can also help to increase the security of digital endpoints. By using the software to enforce policies and remotely wipe data, businesses can help to protect their data from being lost or stolen. This, in turn, helps to reduce the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands and protects the business from potential security breaches.

Improved Productivity

By using RDM software to consolidate the management of their remote devices, businesses can help to ensure that employees have the tools they need to do their job, when they need them. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity, as well as overall better performance from employees.

What it Takes to Get Started With Remote Device Management Software

What does it take to set your business up with a remote device management platform? While no two circumstances are the same, in general, there are a few key steps that you'll need to undertake in order to get started:

1. Get an Understanding and Inventory of Your IT Assets

The first step is to take an inventory of your IT assets and understand exactly what you have. This includes everything from desktops and laptops, to smartphones and tablets.

2. Conduct a Mobile Security Risk Assessment

The next step is to conduct a mobile security risk assessment. This will help you to identify any potential risks associated with your mobile devices and formulate a plan to mitigate those risks.

3. Choose a Remote Device Management Solution

Once you've taken inventory of your assets and conducted a risk assessment, the next step is to choose a remote device management platform that best fits your needs. There are a number of different RDM/MDM solutions on the market, so it's important to do your research and choose one that will work best for your business.

4. Implement the Solution

Once you've chosen your remote device management solution, the next step is to implement it. This typically involves installing the software on your devices and configuring it to meet your specific needs.

Some things to configure in this phase include:

• Remote access policies
• User interface setup
• User management
• App management and control

5. Monitor and Manage Your Devices

After you've implemented your remote device management solution, the next step is to monitor and manage your devices. This includes keeping track of which devices are being used, who is using them, and how they're being used. It also involves troubleshooting any issues that may arise post-implementation and ensuring that your devices are being used in accordance with company policies.

Quadbridge for Remote Device Management Solutions

Quadbridge is a leading provider of IT products and services serving Canada and the United States. Our experts can set your business up with remote device management solutions from a variety of providers.

Our remote device deployment solution, QB Zero Touch, makes it possible for any business to procure, configure, store, and securely deliver remote employee devices. Devices can be configured with remote device management software and other security features.

Ready to secure your employees’ digital environment? Contact Quadbridge today to see what we can do for your business.