The importance of mobile device management in the era of remote work

Many are of the opinion that remote working is here to stay and that our office routines of the past may not return. According to the 2022 Microsoft Work Trend Index, 73% of workers say they need a reason to go to the office in person.

While the future remains to be seen, there is a clear inclination among employees to continue with the remote working arrangement or transition to a hybrid workplace model. In any case, it is critical for companies and their CIOs to develop technology strategies to support and strengthen their businesses with scalable solutions related to the digital workplace.

What is a hybrid workplace model?

A hybrid workplace model is one in which employees have the flexibility to work both from the office and from remote locations, such as their homes or coworking spaces. In this type of environment, employees combine face-to-face work in the office with remote work, using communication and collaboration technologies to stay connected and perform their tasks.

In a hybrid workplace model, companies usually implement technologies and tools that allow collaboration and effective communication between employees, regardless of their physical location. This can include video conferencing tools, instant messaging applications, project management platforms and cloud storage systems. Companies must also establish clear policies and provide adequate technical support to ensure a smooth transition to this model.

How should a company approach this new situation?

From the implementation of remote working en masse to the growing need to safeguard corporate data on mobile devices, MDM has become one of the key tools for managing the digital workplace in the hybrid model.

• Increase in remote work: Remote work has become a reality for many organizations, and MDM plays a fundamental role in managing mobile devices used outside the office. MDM solutions allow companies to control and protect remote devices, implement security policies and ensure secure access to corporate resources. This means that employees can collaborate productively and securely, even when they are working from locations outside the office.
• Data security: With the growing number of mobile devices used in the business environment, data security becomes even more critical. MDM helps to address this challenge by enabling organisations to implement security measures such as data encryption, two-factor authentication and remote wipe if the device is lost or stolen. In addition, MDM provides visibility and control over installed applications, helping to prevent the download of unauthorised or malicious applications that could compromise data security.
• Regulatory compliance: In the post-pandemic world, security and privacy regulations remain important. MDM solutions help organisations comply with these regulations by enabling the implementation of specific policies and configurations on mobile devices. This includes password management, VPN configuration, access control to corporate resources and compliance auditing.
• Efficient technical support: MDM streamlines remote technical support, which is especially important in an environment where employees are spread across locations. MDM solutions enable IT teams to troubleshoot remotely, perform real-time diagnostics and distribute software and firmware updates efficiently. This reduces downtime and the costs associated with technical support, ensuring that employees can remain productive without interruptions.

New challenges of the digital workplace in the era of hybrid work

Remote working, or the implementation of a hybrid workplace model, certainly has its set of benefits. Nevertheless, this post-pandemic workplace model also has unintended consequences and pitfalls that hinder the efficient management and smooth running of an organisation, such as:

Increased security threats

A weak infrastructure for remote working poses a concern for the security of a company's data. With the emergence of remote and hybrid workplace models, companies' IT teams are forced to strengthen their corporate data security policies. Intruders look for opportunities to break into corporate networks to misappropriate confidential business information. Poorly protected Wi-Fi networks and lack of rigour in data protection are two of the many reasons why devices in a remote environment are more prone to data leaks.

Instant remote support for users

All companies want to have fluid operations and processes in place. Device errors and technology failures are inevitable, so remote end-user IT support is an important to ensure processes run smoothly. With the continuation of remote working in the post-pandemic, organisations' IT administrators must be able to ensure that robust remote support tools are in place to communicate with and assist their employees in the field to resolve issues without latency, preventing problems from dragging out over time which could hinder productivity.

Additional IT workload

Now that remote working is presumably here to stay, there has been a notable increase in the IT workload, as large fleets of devices have started to require IT support at different stages: from supplying devices with customised software and tools to monitoring device performance and managing large inventories. Ongoing remote working or workplace flexibility shows the need for organisations to strengthen their IT infrastructure with comprehensive tools to manage their corporate devices and data without overburdening their IT teams.

How important will EMM / MDM solutions be in the era of hybrid work?

The digital workstation is at the heart of a hybrid workplace model. As businesses around the world prepare for this new model of working, massive fleets of new devices are being deployed to support it. Not only laptops, tablets or mobile phones. Other gadgets and even wearables.

To efficiently manage this increase in functions, devices and software in the digital workplace, EMM / MDM solutions will help to streamline remote management of these by reinforcing them:

1. Device and data security

Workplace flexibility and business mobility make corporate data more prone to intrusions and cyberattacks. MDM solutions need to offer a wealth of functions to strengthen endpoint security and help IT teams design and enforce security policies. Some of the security features enabled by modern MDM solutions include:

• Conditional access
• Remote data wipe
• Improvement in network settings
• Data loss prevention policy
• Authentication and authorisation policy

2. Instantaneous remote over-the-air support

One of the most important responsibilities of an IT team involves reaching employees who are working remote and in the field instantly in the event of device errors or failures. MDM solutions that offer remote support capabilities make it possible for IT teams to quickly connect with employees and resolve issues regardless of their location.

3. Automation of routine IT tasks

MDM solutions address the increased workloads placed on IT teams by the rise of company mobility and hybrid working. Contemporary MDM solutions help simplify and automate tasks such as mass device enrolment, managing applications and content on devices, configuring custom policies on devices and user groups, device tracking and maintenance and much more.

Conclusions

In an ever-evolving world where flexibility and adaptability are key to business success, the hybrid workplace has emerged as an effective solution to meet the needs of organisations and employees. With its experience and expertise in technology solutions, SEIDOR is uniquely positioned to help its clients successfully implement and manage hybrid workplace projects.

SEIDOR understands the challenges and opportunities that arise when adopting a hybrid workplace model and has a team of experts who can work closely with its clients to design and implement tailored solutions. From the selection of the right tools and technologies to the configuration and integration of systems, SEIDOR focuses on providing its clients with the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve a smooth transition to the hybrid workplace.