Not all android devices are created equally

When we refer to "Android devices," it's crucial to understand that they are not all created equal. In fact, Android devices come in various flavours, and these differences can significantly affect their capabilities and functionalities. One key differentiator is whether your Android device runs on Google Android (GMS Android) or operates on AOSP (Android Open Source Project) without GMS (Google Mobile Services).

Android devices are basically designed for customers or for personal use. Over the years the capabilities and convenience they offered has seeped into business applications. As android is not normally designed for business use there is an additional layer required to make it business ready. That is the crux of MDM.

What is Android MDM?

Imagine having a centralised command centre for all your Android devices deployed for business centric use cases. That's precisely what Android MDM is—an ingenious solution that grants you complete control over your fleet of smartphones and tablets. It holds your key to streamlining device management, ensuring security, and optimising productivity. With MDM, you can convert or restrict your devices to a single application like POS machined, touch kiosk, and so on.

Which Android devices fall under the purview of an Android Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform?

Navigating the landscape of Android devices for effective management can be both an adventure and a puzzle. Android's remarkable adaptability allows it to seamlessly integrate with various hardware, offering a world of possibilities limited only by your imagination.

These versatility extends to an array of hardware that spans handheld scanners, external integrated printers, card-swiping machines, and NFC card readers.

However, this very versatility also presents a challenge—managing this diverse ecosystem can be complex, making the choice of the right Android Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution absolutely critical for a seamless experience to the users.

In the diverse android ecosystem, MDM finds its application across a vast spectrum of devices that include:

• Smartphones: our pocket-friendly companions
• Tablets: optimising productivity on these larger canvases.
• Interactive Kiosks: for enhanced self-service and information access with managed kiosks, catering to diverse touchpoints.
• Point of Sale (POS) Devices: make secure and efficient transactions are a breeze.
• Handheld Scanners: streamline data collection and logistics with precision.

While the management of tablets and smartphones might appear straightforward at first glance, it's crucial to understand that their ease of management hinges on their specific use cases. This can be seen with smartphones used for business communication and company data that needs to be geofenced and encrypted.It's also evident in tablets that constitute self-service kiosks integrated with a multitude of hardware components.

Choosing the right Android MDM solution: The Costs

In today's digital age where performance and security are non-negotiable, choosing the right Android MDM solution requires careful consideration and balance between features and cost.

An extensive research endeavor undertaken in partnership between Oxford Economics and Samsung on Android Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions unveiled a pricing spectrum. It spanned from $3.25 to $9 per device per month. While the enterprises spend about $3.25 due their volume deals, others spend about $9 for MDM. Our estimation of 50 devices dictated that annual pricing can range from $2K to $5.5K.

However, it's essential to recognize that the cost of Android MDM is multifaceted and nuanced. It's not merely a matter of plugging numbers into a formula. In fact, it's more akin to assembling a puzzle where various attributes construct the final picture.

For a more in depth knowledge about the costs of MDM, reachout to our experts at Quantem for a free consultation.

Android MDM: The Features

The evolution of Android device management platforms from their basic origins to now leverage the adaptability of the Android operating system for Device controls and Application Management

If you're looking for an MDM solution for Android Devices, here are some essential features to keep a keen eye on:

• Remote Device Management: Remote Device Management exemplifies the adage "control knows no boundaries". The strategic deployment of Remote Device Management is regarded as the linchpin of an effective MDM system. It empowers system administrators and IT department heads with the tools to manage and monitor devices from virtually anywhere with nuanced control.

  With Remote Device Management, MDM grants administrators the ability to troubleshoot, configure, and secure devices with precision and speed. Application usage policies, software updates, installations, remote wipes and security patches can be initiated, ensuring complete device control.

• Kiosk Mode: In a world where you may have tens, hundreds, or even thousands of devices deployed, ensuring that they remain dedicated to specific apps and functions is paramount. Kiosk mode in Android MDM solutions provides the necessary lockdown, preventing users from deviating and using company devices for unintended purposes.
• Telemetry Data & Alerts: Peace of mind comes from knowing the real-time status of all your devices. Android MDM solutions that provide telemetry data and allow you to set up alerts for any changes enable proactive troubleshooting, ensuring prompt resolution of any issues.
• Provisioning Options: Configuring new devices can often be a time-consuming task. An Android MDM platform that offers multiple provisioning options allows you to select the one that aligns best with your business needs, streamlining the setup process.
  • 6Tap
  • Zero Touch enrolment
  • Offline Device Provisioner
  • Samsung KME

In the ever-evolving landscape of Android MDM features, these capabilities empower you to take full command of your Android devices deployed for mission critical use cases. Whether you're overseeing a handful or a multitude of devices, having the right MDM tools at your disposal is essential to ensure smooth operations for your business.

Beyond Android MDM - The Workflow

Gone are the days where vanilla MDM was enough to meet your business needs. Today, businesses require features beyond MDM to manage their device fleet and applications efficiently.

Quantem's comprehensive Advanced MDM (Mobile Device Management) workflow offers a strategic roadmap to harness the full potential of Android devices for business, ensuring seamless operations, robust security, and streamlined administration. Its workflow capability extends to ITSM ( IT Service Management) and covers the requirements of medium to large enterprises.

• Enrollment: Once devices are onboarded, the next step is device enrollment within the MDM. This phase's intricacies vary based on the MDM solution and the device types under management.
• Provisioning: Once devices are enrolled, they undergo the provisioning process, ensuring they are suitably configured for their intended purposes.
• Configuration: With devices provisioned, the next phase involves configuring them with the desired security settings and policies, aligning them with organisational goals.
• Group Policies: To simplify management, devices are organised into groups based on departments, locations, or other criteria, streamlining administration.
• Continuous Monitoring: Vigilant monitoring of devices for compliance with security policies and settings is paramount, facilitated by insightful reports and real-time alerts.
• Remote Actions: Swiftly and efficiently manage devices by installing/removing apps, wiping devices, and utilising remote control for troubleshooting.
• Alerts & Notifications: Stay informed with alerts and notifications, ensuring that you are always in the know about device status and potential issues.
• Reports: Generate compliance reports to gain a clear overview of device adherence to security policies. This helps in identifying and promptly addressing any non-compliant devices.
• Auto Compliance: Automate compliance checks to ensure devices continuously adhere to security policies, reducing manual efforts and ensuring robust security.

Managing Your Android Devices with Quantem MDM

With Quantem, you can harness the power of cutting-edge technology to streamline device management and Applications Management, improve safety and increase productivity.

Don't miss this opportunity to change the way you control Android devices.

Need to understand more about how to efficiently manage Android devices and applications, Speak to Quantem experts