Mobile Device Management: Buying Advice, Tips, and News

Hybrid work is the new normal, so IT admins must ensure that their companies' devices are properly provisioned, configured, updated, and secured. These tested MDM platforms help keep your remote workforce secure.

Always an efficient product, ManageEngine MDM has only improved since our previous review. While its not quite as advanced as the high-end competition, ManageEngine's pricing and its overall feature set keep it near the top of the MDM heap.

IBM MaaS360 ticks all the basic boxes of a mobile management solution, and even adds some features you won't find anywhere other than from Big Blue. It's still got some hiccups, however, like the fact that its remote control capability requires a third-party app.

While you'll find the basic features you need for mobile device management system in this platform, Baramundi really doesn't get much beyond the basics and is missing several key features touted by the leading competitors we reviewed.

AppTec360 ticks most of the same boxes as the other products we've reviewed, although with a fairly unappealing design. Additionally, the platform still requires you to purchase a separate product to enable remote control.

SOTI MobiControl does a good job of matching up with the competition on a feature-for-feature basis and even leads in areas such as remote control. Its new user interface is a significant improvement, though you'll still need to use the old one for certain key capabilities.

VMware AirWatch retains its leadership position in the mobile device management (MDM) space. Combined with VMware's Workforce One identity management platform, this combination gives users everything they need to track, manage, and grow a fast-changing device portfolio.

The current version of Citrix XenMobile is a definite upgrade to the version we reviewed last year, with support for a wide array of devices, including Windows 10 tablets. Those already using Citrix products will do well with XenMobile, while those with more heterogeneous needs should explore Citrix's new partnership with Microsoft and its EMS suite.

Microsoft Intune still represents one of the best device management options for folks running Microsoft-centric environments. The bundle options with Azure-based identity and security tools have matured and represent a powerful growth path. However, the price will be substantial and, for those running non-Microsoft platforms, there are some overlooked features, too.