Mobile app management (MAM) software

1. What is Mobile Application Management?

Mobile Application Management (MAM) or mobile app management refers to the management of the complete lifecycle of every app used in an enterprise, including installing, updating and deleting apps on both corporate and personally owned devices in the organization. Enterprise mobile application management also includes managing mobile app licenses, permissions, configurations, and defining organizational app policies that includes restrictions pertaining to the apps and data stored on the apps.

2. What is App Management?

App management or application management is the set of activities that are performed by IT admins to ensure organization devices have the right apps installed on them and that these apps are secure. It includes distributing, installing, configuring as well as uninstalling apps on the devices that are used for work. App management software allows admins to manage apps on a range of devices across OS platforms like Apple, Android, Windows and Chrome.

3. Why shouldn't enterprise apps be managed manually?

You can manually distribute apps to your workforce by sharing them through email, publishing them on the app store or your corporate website. However, satisfying the requirements of multiple departments and teams in the organization can prove to be tedious, and ensuring the distributed apps are updated on time adds to the task's complexity.

Furthermore, it would be impossible to manually manage app configurations on devices, block apps from creating unauthorized backups of corporate data on third-party cloud servers, or prevent employees from accidentally installing malicious apps on their devices and placing corporate data at risk. This is why it is crucial to use a MAM tool for secure enterprise mobile app management.

4. Why is Mobile Application Management (MAM) important?

With more organizations shifting towards a mobile-only or mobile-first workforce, apps are finding an exponential level of usage in such enterprises. It is the duty of the IT administrators to manage mobile apps - ensure the devices in the enterprises are ready for corporate usage by having all the requisite apps installed on the devices and they're the running the latest version. Managing enterprise mobile apps, thus, seems like a cumbersome task for IT administrators irrespective of the organization size. This is where Mobile Application Management (MAM) software/tools come into the picture, providing an efficient answer for managing apps in the enterprise. Mobile app management solutions nullify any app management issue thanks to its remote management capabilities, ensuring all the IT administrators needs is the right mobile application management tool for efficient app management.

5. What are the benefits of mobile application management tools?

Mobile Application Management (MAM) tools provide organizations various benefits, some of which include a one-time setup to provision distribute apps to devices over the air, and fully remote app management that doesn't require possession of the device. Moreover, app management tools also require minimal admin intervention and zero user action to have apps installed on managed devices.

6. What is the difference between MAM and MDM [(Mobile Application Management(MAM) vs Mobile Device Management(MDM)]?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) primarily deals with proactively protecting the device and the data at all 3 stages - at rest, in use, and in transit. Mobile Application Management (MAM) primarily deals with apps and the data that the apps work with. As both technologies began to evolve, they overlapped into enterprise mobility management (EMM), leading to MDM solutions having extensive MAM or mobile app management capabilities.

7. How does Application Management software work?

Mobile Application Management (MAM) lets IT administrators remotely manage mobiles apps - from the apps already present on the devices to newer apps that are to be installed, IT administrators can manage them all with Mobile Application Management software, over-the-air. IT administrators can configure policies for each and every app, including the data being handled by the apps. Further, you also get the list of all apps present on all devices accessing corporate data, which can then be used for auditing purposes.

8. What are the key features of mobile app management solutions?

Mobile app management solutions completely ease app installation, and management by allowing admins to:

• Build their own enterprise app catalog.
• Distribute apps in bulk to groups based on departments.
• Silently install and update, or delete apps on devices, and block malicious apps from being installed.
• Create an app self-service portal and customize their Play Store layout for easier access to the needed apps.
• Manage app licenses, permissions, configurations, and policies remotely.
• Automate insightful reports on the apps on devices.

Read on to explore these features in detail.

Building your own enterprise app catalog

Creating your own app catalog to contain only those apps approved by the organization is facilitated by an application for MAM. These apps can either be Store apps, available for public download on the Internet or enterprise apps, the in-house apps developed specifically to cater to the organization’s needs. Only these apps are permitted to be installed on the devices, thus minimizing installation of unapproved apps.

Department-based app deployment

In most organizations, employees belonging to a particular department are bound to use the same set of apps. Clustering devices of these employees into groups ensure all apps previously associated to the groups, get automatically distributed to any device that gets added to the group, thereby automating the app distribution process at a department level.

Silent app installation/update/deletion

Mobile app management ensures that the requisite corporate apps gets installed with no user intervention and minimal admin action. MDM integrates with Apple Business Manager (previously known as Apple Volume Purchase Program) in case of iOS, Google Play (previously known as Play for Work) in case of Android, and Windows Business Store in case of Windows. In addition to this, you can also install MSI apps on Windows laptops. Mobile Device Manager Plus also enables automating app updates of store apps by deploying any app updates that are available on Apple Business Manager, Managed Google Play and Windows Business Store.

App Blocklisting

As an enterprise dealing primarily with corporate devices wouldn’t want unapproved apps to be installed on the devices. These apps can be non-work apps, which can lead to loss of productivity or worst can be malicious apps trying to access confidential data. App Blocklist lets you pre-define a list of apps, which gets removed if installed previously on managed devices and also prevents subsequent installations. These apps can be the ones pre-installed on the devices or the apps installed by the user.

App Self Service Portal

With each department needing their own set of apps and not all employees might require all the apps available for the department. In such a scenario, setting up the self-service portal with all the apps and allowing the employees to choose and install the apps that they require.

Play Store layout customization

Having built up an app catalog containing only those apps approved by the organization, you can also ensure the Play Store from where the apps are being installed is customized based on the organization's needs. This ensures easier navigation around the Play Store to install those apps approved by the organization.

App configurations and permissions

With certain apps which require a multitude of settings to be configured before usage, you would ideally want the IT admin to configure. However, configuring it repeatedly might be a cumbersome task for the admin. MDM lets you pre-configure the basic settings on the app (supported for iOS, Android, and Windows), ensuring the app is ready to use on installation without requiring any user intervention. Further, you can also pre-define the app permissions ensuring the users cannot modify the permissions enabled/disabled by the enterprise.

App-based restrictions

Having installed the apps on the devices, the next step is to configure restrictions on the devices, to avoid unauthorized access of the corporate data which is being used by the apps. MDM lets you restrict the sharing of data from approved apps to unapproved apps and vice-versa. You can also configure restrictions to prevent users from uninstalling apps, installing unapproved apps and you can even disable Play Store / App Store / Business Store.

App-specific policies

From locking devices to specific apps using Kiosk Mode to having Virtual Private Network (VPN) specifically for apps, the need for app-specific policies is becoming pertinent by the day. With MDM, not only can you lock the device to a specific set of corporate apps but also pre-configure device settings and prevent users from modifying it. Further, you can also configure Single Sign-On option for corporate apps. Further, you can convert your web apps into conventional looking mobile apps using web shortcuts (or web clips).

App-based reports

With apps being the bedrock of mobile-first workforces, app-based reports provide the IT admin with granular details such as apps present on the device, devices with blocklisted apps etc. MDM has these as out-of-the-box reports which can be scheduled and sent via e-mail.

9. How do you manage apps on iOS?

iOS is extensively used in enterprises, be it as iPads or iPhones. To ensure seamless app management, you can leverage Apple Business Manager (ABM), which is a combination of Apple's two previous programs, Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP) and Apple Volume Purchase Program (VPP). Enrolling devices using Apple Business Manager (ABM) ensures the devices are Supervised, which helps in better utilizing ABM features such as silent app installation, license management etc.

10. How do you manage apps on Android?

Android, the other major OS extensively used in enterprises, also has programs similar to Apple's for seamless Android app management. Google Play for Work is similar to Apple Business Manager, with extensive app management features such as silent app installation, approving apps to be installed on devices etc. Similar to Supervision, provisioning Android devices as work-managed device (also known as Device Owner) helps in better leveraging Play for Work.

11. How do you manage apps on Windows devices?

You can integrate Microsoft Store for Business with your mobile app management tool to simplify store app distribution and management on the Windows devices in your organization. Enterprise-developed Windows applications and MSI applications can be configured, distributed, and managed on Windows 10 laptops, desktops, and Surface Pro devices through your mobile application management tool.

12. How do you manage apps on Chrome devices?

With MAM, it is also possible to distribute Chrome Web Store apps, compatible Google Play apps, and custom enterprise-developed apps to the Chromebooks in your organization.

13. How do you manage apps in BYOD environments?

Required apps, both store and in-house, can be added to a repository within a MAM tool and distributed to employee-owned devices. These apps will then be added to a self-service portal (an application for MAM installed on the device) from where users can install them at their own convenience. It is also possible to create a virtual container within a device to separate corporate apps and data from the user's personal space.

14. How can you make mobile app management seamless?

Integrating your mobile app management solution with an app development platform can simplify developing and distributing apps to devices. Mobile Device Manager Plus integrates with Zoho Creator, a low-code app development software, which lets you create web applications, which can they be made into Android/iOS applications, which can then be seamlessly shared to devices using MDM. You can do the same in case of your CRM application developed using Zoho CRM.

15. What is MAM vs MDM, EMM and UEM?

MAM (Mobile Application Management) helps in managing and securing mobile applications in an organization. MDM (Mobile Device Management) deals with controlling and configuring mobile devices themselves. EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management) combines both MAM and MDM functionalities for comprehensive mobile management. UEM (Unified Endpoint Management) expands beyond mobile devices to include desktops, and IoT devices. These approaches enable centralized control over application deployment, device provisioning, security policies, and compliance for efficient enterprise mobility management.

What are the features of Mobile Application Management Software?

Here are the key features of Mobile Application Management (MAM):

1. App distribution and deployment: MAM software allows centralized distribution and deployment of mobile applications to authorized users or devices, ensuring seamless installation and availability.
2. App configuration and policy management: Administrators can configure app settings, define access policies, and enforce security measures such as data encryption and authentication requirements, providing control and compliance.
3. App security and data protection: MAM software offers robust security features like app containerization, data encryption, and secure access, safeguarding sensitive information and preventing unauthorized access.
4. App updates and version control: MAM solutions simplify app update management by facilitating the push of updates, bug fixes, and new versions to users, ensuring access to the latest features and security patches.

What are the things to consider while choosing Mobile app management (MAM) software?

Consider these key factors when choosing Mobile Application Management (MAM) software:

1. App security: Evaluate the security features provided by the MAM software, such as app containerization, data encryption, and secure app access, to ensure it meets your organization's security requirements.
2. Ease of use and administration: Consider the user experience of the MAM software for both administrators and end-users. Look for intuitive interfaces, easy app deployment, and management features that streamline app distribution and configuration.
3. App Updates and Version Control: Look for MAM software that simplifies the management of app updates and version control. It should provide mechanisms for pushing updates, tracking app versions, and ensuring users have access to the latest features and security patches.