What Companies Should Look for in UEM Tools

Despite pleas to return to the office, many employees still prefer remote and hybrid work arrangements. Companies rely on cloud-based infrastructure and the use of unified endpoint management systems to make this possible. Business leaders focused on strengthening their remote work systems increasingly turn to UEM tools. Here's a close look at these systems, how they work, and what management should look for when choosing one.

What Are UEM Tools?

Unified endpoint management is a system that IT professionals use to manage and secure all the devices used in their networks. This includes smartphones, laptops, PCs, and other smart devices. The goal of these management systems is to provide a single interface for managing all these devices. In other words, IT should be able to see and control everything from one central location.

How Does Unified Endpoint Management Work?

UEM systems work by giving IT professionals total visibility and control over all endpoints with access to their networks. They achieve this by installing an agent on each device. This agent then communicates with the central server, which gives IT visibility into the device's activity. IT can then use this information to manage and secure the device.

Experts in the tech industry predict that cloud-based unified endpoint management will account for 90% of the market by 2025. Several things drive this trend. The research company behind the prediction notes the improved integration of security tools and analytics. It also points out that companies increasingly prefer having one centralized system for device management.

What Should You Look For in a UEM Tool?

Companies have different business needs and goals. What they need from unified endpoint management tools reflects this diversity. Nevertheless, these are basic features companies should keep in mind.

Ability To Support All Devices in the Network

The system should cover smartphones, laptops, PCs, and other smart devices. It should also support various operating systems, such as Windows, Mac and Chrome OS. Some endpoint management systems may not support older devices. The inverse is also possible, i.e., an inability to support new or niche devices.

Ease of Use

The system should be easy to use and understand. This reduces the likelihood of IT personnel spending a lot of time trying to navigate and configure the tool. The same goes for deployment. The system should also not disrupt the ability of workers to use the devices effectively. Some systems are clunky and can affect loading and refreshing speeds.

Flexibility

The system should be flexible enough to meet the company's specific needs. It should be able to handle different types of workloads and devices. For example, businesses might need to automate specific processes, such as patching, OS deployment and app installments. Some companies also need endpoint management for both BYOD and corporate devices.

Integration

The UEM system should integrate with the company's existing systems and tools. This includes everything from the directory service to the help desk ticketing system. It should also integrate well with third-party applications.

Security

The system should protect the company's data and devices from threats. Security features might include encryption, malware protection, and the ability to remotely wipe data from a lost or stolen device. Ideally, the system should provide multi-factor authentication and run a zero-trust framework.

Analytics

The centralized dashboard should provide the company with insights into the devices and their usage. The IT admin team can use this information to improve the efficiency of the UEM system. They can also use it to make decisions about security, compliance, and other aspects of the business.

Compliance

The system should help the company meet its compliance requirements. This might include features that track and monitor devices. It may also have features that enforce policies, such as password requirements and device access controls. The system itself should meet compliance requirements for use in regions with data privacy laws, such as the European Union and California.

Cost

Endpoint management tools should feature affordable pricing and good value. Also, review the cost of scaling operations. While price plays a crucial role, don't just choose the cheapest option. Companies can evaluate value based on the specs.

Customer Support

The UEM vendor should offer excellent customer support. It should be responsive and easy to work with. Also, the vendor should provide training and resources to help companies get the most out of their endpoint management systems. Check consumer reviews to get unbiased feedback on how well the services work and how quickly the company responds to issues.

What Is Microsoft EndPoint Manager?

Gartner recognizes Microsoft as one of the top endpoint managers in the field. Microsoft Endpoint Manager is a cloud-based system that offers a variety of features:

• Device management
• Application management
• Security management
• Remote access

MEM also integrates with other Microsoft products, such as Azure Active Directory and Intune. The system is easy to use and provides good value for the cost. Microsoft offers a few different pricing options for MEM to meet the needs of various business sizes and types.

How Can Our Cloud Migration Experts Help You Access UEM?

Migrating your business to the cloud is the first big step in ensuring full access to UEM tools. Managers are often reluctant to take this leap, but a world of opportunities await your business when you do, such as detailed analytics. Our cloud migration experts can help you with every step, from choosing the right platform to migrating your data and applications.

Are you ready to get started? Contact the Cloudficient team for a quote.

With unmatched next generation migration technology, Cloudficient is revolutionizing the way businesses retire legacy systems and transform their organization into the cloud. Our business constantly remains focused on client needs and creating product offerings that match them. We provide affordable services that are scalable, fast and seamless.

If you would like to learn more about how to bring Cloudficiency to your migration project, visit our website, or contact us.