The Aragon Research Globe™ for Enterprise Mobile Management Software, 2014
Author: Jim Lundy
Date: September 17, 2014
Topic: Mobile
Research Note Number: 2014-37
Issue: Who are the vendors that are battling to lead the mobile computing revolution?
Summary: The market for enterprise mobile management software has evolved from a primary focus on MDM to a suite that includes MDM, MAM and MCM as the primary capabilities. This Aragon Research Globe™ reviews 18 major technology providers in EMM and their strengths and challenges as this market transforms.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Enterprise Mobile Management: MDM, MAM and MCM
A Growing Focus on Content
The MDM Market: Commodotized but Growing
Managing the Mobile Enterprise Ecosystem in the Wearable and IOT Era
Enterprise Mobility: The Business Imperative
Market Coalescence and Consolidation
Aragon Research Globe Overview
Dimensions of Analysis
The Four Corners of the Globe
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusions
The Aragon Research Globe™ for Enterprise Mobile Management Software, 2014
Leaders
Contenders
Innovators
Specialists
Aragon Advisory
Bottom Line
Enterprise Mobile Management: MDM, MAM and MCM
Managing mobility in the enterprise has shifted from a world that was primarily Blackberry devices and email a few years ago to one in which devices, apps, data and content are exploding and poised to grow even more over the next five years. Enterprise mobile management (EMM) has become the de facto approach that incorporates and transcends mobile device management (MDM), mobile application management (MAM) and mobile content management (MCM). The shift is away from merely managing the assets themselves and toward transforming business through mobilizing the enterprise.
The mobile market has shifted from a device focus a few years ago to focus on a total approach to mobility, which includes application management, content management and data security. While MDM helps address authentication and security, success with mobility also depends on apps that are lightweight, secure and easy to manage, distribute and use. MAM is an inescapable part of the mix.
Enterprises’ mobile management needs are as diverse as the growing universe of vendors and tools. First, they need a strategy to secure and manage the huge number of devices entering the workplace; to distribute, support, monitor and control the use of enterprise applications; and to protect and secure the entire ecosystem, corporate information and intellectual property. Dealing with issues in each of these categories will most often require multiple management tools.
With enterprises still in the throes of shifting to new mobile devices and retiring BlackBerrys, the Internet of Things era is about to kick in and with it new opportunities and new challenges for EMM providers. Aragon feels that IOT will be one of the new frontiers for both EMM and Networking providers. Use cases will be abundant and so will the need to be able to manage these devices.
EMM platforms are rapidly evolving to help manage different aspects of the mobile, bring-your-own enterprise. In fact, security remains at the forefront of needs and vendors have taken different approaches to solving this. We have seen some enterprises limiting BYOD programs due to security issues on some platforms, such as Android.
Enterprises have more choice when it comes to a full EMM platform. They should also evaluate best-of-breed providers that have some but not all EMM capabilities for strengths in their respective areas, such as MAM. Each of them is valuable for certain business needs and circumstances, but the coming consolidation in this market will have important consequences, and should be reflected in relatively short-term planning.
For example, some best-of-breed MAM providers have some elements of EMM continue to do well. Other MAM providers just focus more on App Stores and app management and offer more functionality than the full EMM suite providers.
At the same time, the demand for mobile application development platforms (MADPs) continues to grow. On top of that security providers are adding EMM to their endpoint protection suites as a way to extend their overall footprint.
Beyond what can be addressed in the short term, enterprises need to recognize the value of personally owned mobile devices, and to establish an integrated, holistic approach to enterprise mobile management. Aragon recommends these key priorities:
- Authenticate and manage user identity
- Control the devices
- Manage the apps
- Protect enterprise data
- Manage mobile content
- Monitor the network
- Optimize performance of the systems
- Administer inventories and expenses
- Oversee a workplace with users as the perimeter