what is mdm

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is the administration of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. MDM is usually implemented with the use of a third-party product that has management features for particular vendors of mobile devices. The overall role of MDM is to increase device supportability, security, and corporate functionality while maintaining some user flexibility. MDM software allows IT administrators to control, secure, and enforce policies on smartphones, tablets, and other endpoints. MDM is a core component of enterprise mobility management (EMM) and unified endpoint management (UEM), which aims to manage all endpoint devices with a single console. The benefits of using MDM solutions are vast, including saving time through automating repetitive tasks, securing corporate data segregation, securing emails, securing corporate documents on devices, enforcing corporate policies, and integrating and managing mobile devices including laptops and handhelds of various categories. MDM is a device-centric approach, whereas mobile security and unified endpoint management have evolved to a user-centric stance.