Modern technologies such as mobile phones, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) have sailed into modern businesses and are here to stay and evolve. With so many devices and endpoints to keep track of, unified endpoint management is more important than ever.
What is an Endpoint?
Any device that serves as the network’s endpoint or last point is referred to as an endpoint. A laptop, a desktop, a mobile phone, a tablet, any mobile device, a server, or even a virtual desktop can be used as an endpoint. Endpoints include printers, scanners, projectors, wearables, rugged devices, digital signs, and mobile point-of-sale systems.
What is Endpoint Management?
Endpoint management is a system or procedure that allows a company or organization to centrally control, provide, support, and protect all of its endpoints.
What is Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)?
Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) is an integrated technique or process for managing, securing, and controlling enterprise- and employee-owned mobile devices, desktops, laptops, and other endpoints in a coherent and linked manner from a single unified platform. The terms mobile device management (MDM) and enterprise mobility management (EMM) have been replaced and evolved into UEM (EMM). Unlike MDM or EMM, UEM manages all endpoints in enterprise mobile.
Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) allows businesses to manage, configure, track, monitor, and maintain a variety of endpoints (mobile and fixed) that are typically capable of connecting to a network and may use the TCP/IP protocol stack.
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What are the benefits of Unified Endpoint Management?
The business environment nowadays has a large device footprint, thanks to a variety of heterogeneous devices invading the modern office. UEM is used for a variety of requirements, including:
- Managing endpoints with various device configurations and operating systems from a single console
- Managing endpoints with various device configurations and operating systems from a single console Increasing productivity by centralizing device monitoring and management Integrating security solutions to safeguard IT infrastructure, including devices, data, software, and applications.
- Managing patch updates and ensuring device compliance
- Managing patch updates and ensuring device compliance
Detecting the presence of new or suspicious devices on a network
Why Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)?
1. Managing mobile endpoints
In the enterprise, there has been an increase in the use of various mobile devices. These mobile devices are enterprise network endpoints with a variety of operating systems and hardware. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) culture has saturated most workplaces with mobile devices, resulting in endpoint ownership variety. Mobile device management, often known as MDM, is a component of Unified Endpoint Management that aids in the management of mobile endpoints such as tablets, phones, laptops, and rugged devices used at work. MDM aids with the configuration and deployment of security controls on these mobile endpoints, as well as tracking and monitoring them within and beyond the corporate periphery.
2. Managing other assets and endpoints
Your assets include all endpoints in your company environment. Endpoint management systems assist in the management of these assets by identifying all endpoints and collecting data on their hardware configuration, operating system versions, applications running, security systems installed, storage, drivers, ports, and so on, which are then stored in a central database. This will make it easier for your IT administrator to manage your network.
- In your system, keep track of and identify legitimate (registered) endpoints.
- Use asset data to install a variety of applications and technologies.
- Providing secure access to your company’s data, apps, and network, as well as limiting access from outside sources.
3. Deploying Operating System
The need to implement diverse software and operating systems in an enterprise has arisen as a result of remote working, a fast increase in the inclination of the frontline workforce, and BYOD. Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, and other operating systems are all supported by a good UEM. It also allows for the rapid deployment of an operating system to several devices at the same time. Preboot Execution Environment, for example, enables push OS to a device with minimal user participation and dramatically lowers user error.
4. Deploying Applications
The ability to centrally provision endpoints with apps is crucial for increasing overall company productivity. Enterprise IT can do the following with UEM solutions:
- Enable large application deployment with automated application provisioning.
- Flexible provisioning enables the deployment of tailored applications on associated endpoints by tagging devices according to the departments they belong to or the type of specialist software they require.
5. Patch Management
UEM discovers and tracks computers that require patching. IT teams can use UEM to:
- Identify devices in multiple locations so that the appropriate patches can be applied to all machines at the same time.
- Push modifications to guarantee that all devices have the same base configuration.
- Manage software patches from major suppliers such as Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Oracle, and others.
6. Endpoint Troubleshooting
A UEM solution can integrate effortlessly with business technology in places like databases, email servers, directories, and so on, with only a few network and system configuration requirements. UEM tools usually offer a simple user interface that cuts down on staff training time and streamlines maintenance.
7. Security and Flexibility
UEM solutions enable remote access from any location, at any time, and span a wide range of endpoints, providing mobile employees greater flexibility.
For endpoint security, UEM:
- Establishes a common endpoint environment for deploying security rules to all devices.
- Keeps an eye on endpoints to notify non-compliance or security policy violations.
- Brings endpoints back into compliance in some circumstances.
- Allow devices to be used outside of the corporate network.
How to Create a Unified Digital Workspace with UEM?
A digital workspace is necessary for today’s employees. Employees of the millennial generation have a broad view of their job. The workplace is no longer defined by location or hours. The new generation worker expects to be able to work from anywhere, at any time, using their preferred devices and apps or services. This is a significant change from the traditional workplace, where employees worked on devices (and/or applications) selected, controlled, maintained, and secured by the organization’s IT.
Enter Unified Endpoint Management, which gives employees the freedom to work on any device they want, based on their needs and security limits, and allows IT administrators to manage and secure all endpoints, corporate data, and apps in real-time from a single unified platform. One thing is certain: as time goes on, employees will expect more, become more productive, more intelligent in their reliance on the use of technology to get more done in less time, and Unified Endpoint Management can help.
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Endpoint Security is needed by a flexible and digital work environment.
Employees are more effective and productive when they have a flexible and digital workspace, and infrastructure expenses are reduced. It does, however, come with its own set of risks, such as:
- The millennial generation has an intrinsic desire to be connected at all times, which leads them to connect to open (and sometimes insecure) networks, exposing their devices to a variety of security risks. When these devices have access to business assets, the risk increases.
- As devices become more capable, employees will use a wide mix of devices for work, making IT management and control more difficult.
- Employees are enticed to utilize more sophisticated services and apps because existing IT-recommended (compliant) software may not match the capability offered by the hip new app, exposing the workplace to obvious, unacceptable risks.
The Remedy – UEM Solution
With the advances in digital technology, management has become a necessity. Employee difficulties and IT concerns can be addressed by using a streamlined and unified strategy across devices, apps, services, content, profiles, networks, and so on.
A unified endpoint management solution streamlines operations simplify endpoint administration and enforce enterprise security policies.
Let’s see how?
Unified Console
A single management console for various endpoints, such as mobile devices, printers, smart devices, laptops, desktops, different networks, and so on, is perhaps one of the most important features that a solid endpoint security solution can provide. This removes the need for multiple tools to manage various devices.
A centralized administration console can help to streamline and automate the infrastructure of a digital office. This comprises device enrollment, configuration, security software (tools) deployment, endpoint tracking, control, and management.
When employees bring several devices or move between sites, a robust UEM console will make your IT team more productive and guarantee safety measures are in place.
Features of a ‘good’ UEM dashboard will be:
- Intuitive for your IT team and even someone with a non-technical background to use quickly and easily.
- A centralized, comprehensive, and real-time view of the whole device inventory is available.
- Analytics and reporting options to gain valuable insights into device usage and ecosystem device kinds
- Enrollment of devices in a simple (and/or mass) manner
Security and Compliance
It is a must that all devices adhere to your company’s security policy. Even beyond the physical workspace, all devices that access or could potentially access your corporate data (or apps, software, etc.) should follow the security policy.
A typical UEM solution may have the following security capabilities:
- On company-owned devices, separate work profiles for individual employees.
- Containerization of apps and content for professional and personal use.
- Complete control over business data, such as selective remote data wiping (leaving the personal data safe and untouched).
- Enforce security policies such as preventing data transfer from work to personal apps, password protection, identifying and deleting rooted devices, and data sharing limits, and so on.
- User management is simple, allowing you to dynamically manage users and apply corporate policies to their devices.
Multiple Platform Support
If a UEM solution supports several devices, platforms, and operating systems, it can aid in the creation of a unified workspace. Employees like to use devices that they are familiar with, as well as their favorite apps and operating systems. Some people prefer iOS, while others prefer Android, while still others prefer Windows.
A UEM solution can handle a wide range of operating systems and endpoints with various hardware configurations. A robust UEM system will support a fleet of devices across several platforms, with security and management policies in place for each. This improves the user experience while also giving IT additional control and expertise over device management and security.
Scalability
When a wide range of apps, services, devices, and access from many places and networks are used, compliance can become complicated. UEM aids in the creation of an integrated, compliant, and secure framework for a workplace that can support a wide range of options that will boost productivity, user performance, and device security in today’s workplace. With advanced security features including self-service capabilities, device monitoring, containerization, policy-based data encryption, and application management, UEM resolves various issues around providing a better user experience while also securing corporate data.
User-Centric Workspace
A UEM allows for a user (employee) centered workplace in addition to guaranteeing a secure work environment. Employees are more likely to be motivated, productive, and effective at work when they have the freedom to choose their device, time, and location, and they believe their privacy is protected even in a secure environment.
The ever-increasing number of mobile devices and cloud services increased user expectations and IT obligations, and growing security concerns all have an impact on the design and evolution of unified endpoint management. The line between personal and professional life is blurring as new technologies such as IoT, AI, Machine Learning, Data Intelligence, and others make modern workplaces more complicated and sophisticated.
UEM Deployment: 7 Best Practices to Follow
We list seven best practices for Enterprise UEM Deployment. Let’s find out!
1. User Experience at The Core
Put yourself in the shoes of the end-user to see what they would anticipate from a UEM solution. While moving between devices, your employees want a seamless, consistent, and unobtrusive experience. To monitor and track all devices, your IT team would demand a comprehensive solution with a clear and straightforward user interface. Product documentation and other features will make it easier for IT to install, configure, and administer the UEM system on your premises. If a UEM has self-service capabilities, users can perform simple activities like setting up passwords, for example.
End users (IT team and other employees) may focus on their regular tasks rather than figuring out how to use a UEM solution, which improves their efficiency and improves their experience.
2. A Comprehensive Approach
Look for a UEM system that can support a large number of heterogeneous devices and can integrate capabilities. You should, in this case.
- Choose the devices and platforms you want to support.
- Determine each department’s demands and endpoint requirements.
- Recognize the various security policies, associated security risks, tool and application usage, and so on in order to incorporate all demands into the UEM scope.
As a result, a comprehensive, unified approach can assist save expenses, boost productivity, and centralize management in order to streamline procedures.
3. Minimize Risk and Optimize Spend with a Cross-Functional, Cross-Platform UEM Solution
To address current productivity needs, many tech-savvy employees acquire software directly from providers or from app shops like Google Play or Apple Store. Some users choose to manage their own devices and installed apps. However, in such a scenario, several security and cost difficulties occur, such as non-compliant software, the potential acquisition of banned apps, a lack of technology consolidation, the failure to take advantage of volume purchase discounts, and so on.
The ideal UEM solution can help you manage technological assets across the board and dramatically decrease blind spots in the inventory of networked equipment and devices. Enterprises should consider the following factors while implementing a UEM.
- Take a holistic approach to manage the full lifecycle, including sourcing, contracts, and inventory control for all endpoints, automatic licensing harvesting, and security policy compliance. This can assist you in negotiating better contracts, reducing risk, and maximizing spending.
- Look for a UEM solution that allows for cross-platform visualization of all endpoints and applications from a single console, as well as discovery, inventory, tracking, control, and management capabilities.
4. Security Capabilities
Only when security elements are included in automated workflows is a UEM deployment full and successful. This reduces the possibility of human error, which frequently occurs due to time restrictions or ignorance. Consistency and compliance with security policies are ensured by a baseline security configuration for all devices.
Embedded security features ensure that all devices are registered and delivered with the most up-to-date security upgrades (without requiring manual intervention or disrupting users), as well as endpoint monitoring and control.
5. To help you make better business decisions, extract actionable insights.
UEM provides you with a bird’s eye view of your IT infrastructure. It may give you an inventory snapshot of enrolled, managed, unmanaged, unused devices and applications, and much more when combined with mobile device analytics. The reporting tools will assist you in making better business decisions. For example, whether you should upgrade your hardware or software, renew your applications, and so on. This might assist you in developing a better IT management strategy and budgeting accordingly.
6. Improve Productivity by Integrating ITSM Tools
Your IT staff will be able to acquire complete control over all of your business IT assets, optimize processes, and track all devices on your network to ensure security and compliance if you can link your UEM solution with your ITSM tools. When the integration provides a basic user interface, controls, and limited training, IT teams’ activities can become more efficient. Most importantly, ITSM integration can free up IT professionals to focus on strategic responsibilities, reducing SLA resolution time and increasing productivity.
7. Evolve as there’s no other option
A UEM strategy should be flexible enough to change as technology advances and new devices enter the ecosystem. Furthermore, it must constantly improve in order to prosper in the ever-increasing IT security attack surface. At the same time, a UEM provider must overlook the ever-expanding technological stack that can add value and context to an existing solution, resulting in improved user experience, IT processes, and business productivity.
A real UEM solution can help your employees have seamless access to corporate IT assets, minimize IT service time, efficiently manage and control all devices and computers on your workplace network to assure compliance with security policies, and provide robust protection. When all of your devices (and apps) can be accessed through a single pane of glass, sourcing, buying, and inventory management become easier and more cost-effective, allowing you to maximize the return on your UEM investment.
Why UEM Solutions are Important for a Digital Enterprise?
- “BYOD is in use at 59 percent of firms, with another 13 percent planning to accept it,” according to Tech Pro Research. Employees’ use of work-related devices is growing, necessitating more focused security and control systems to secure company assets on these devices.
- There is an influx of internet-connected IoT devices such as wearables, smart speakers, smart TVs, and smart appliances, which will reach 30.73 billion by 2020, necessitating the deployment of a UEM solution for these devices.
- By 2020, “more than 80% of enterprises will use artificial intelligence or cognitive computing to analyses endpoints,” according to a Forrester report commissioned by IBM. Augmented UEM intelligence will improve security while also enhancing user productivity and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
A successful Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) system may operate in a heterogeneous environment, exert controls on a variety of vulnerabilities, exponentially increase IT productivity, lower long-term expenses, and simplify device management on a centralized platform. As businesses face an influx of various device types across departments and among employees, IT administrators are faced with the constant challenge of managing, securing, and monitoring all of these endpoints in a single location. This is where efficient unified endpoint management can provide a steady purpose and a flawless process.
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