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. MDM is typically a deployment of a combination of on-device applications and configurations, corporate policies and certificates, and backend infrastructure, for the purpose of simplifying and enhancing the IT management of end-user 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. MDM solutions protect the device’s applications, data, and content.

MDM generates a centralized plan for managing multiple device types with varying operating systems such as iOS, Windows, Android, tvOS, Chrome OS, and macOS. Centralized management makes it easier to deploy MDM solutions in the cloud. The benefits of using MDM solutions are vast, including saving time through automating repetitive tasks, increased security, efficiency, lower costs, and more control.

In summary, MDM is a software tool for IT departments and administrators designed to support efforts to control and secure mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices. MDM solutions can either be hosted in the cloud or onsite, and they enable the management of all mobile endpoints, including personal and company devices.