Employees increasingly expect the ability to use their mobile devices to access company data while on the move. When they’re going out for a business meeting, they expect the ability to access a presentation on the cloud regardless of the devices they bring at the table. Some companies resist the use of employee-owned mobile devices due to the security risks associated with storing sensitive business information on mobile devices. However, the ability to access data on the fly can increase productivity for field workers if organizations streamline device management and security processes.

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) encompasses a range of technologies, processes and roles to manage mobile devices at the workplace. In addition to the mobile devices accessing company resources such as proprietary data or IT network, EMM technologies are aimed at increasing a security-oriented mobility mindset among BYOD users. Cloud-based EMM solutions such as the Codeproof EMM console addresses the following critical challenges facing SMB organizations embracing the BYOD and mobility technology trends:

Managing Mobile Apps and Data

With a solid EMM, companies gain better control over the third party apps and devices that employees use in the workplace. The management system can include curated or customized apps that employees can download and use to access data. Organizations can also blacklist or whitelist app markets such as the App Store and Google Play, and establish organization-specific enterprise app stores containing all the applications required at the workplace.

Restricting “Work Around” Security Policies

When a security policy interferes with a smooth experience for employees, they may decide to ignore the policy and download third party apps that the IT department hasn’t fully vetted. Company managers can avoid this by implementing a system that prevents employees from hacking the system and policies while still providing a seamless experience for application downloads and usage.

Strengthening Device Security

A good EMM provides a guide for responding to incidents in which mobile devices are stolen, lost or used by a disgruntled employee to leak data to a competitor. For better security, an EMM system can work alongside meaningful education and enforcement of a mobile security policy to reduce the risk of employees becoming weak points in the security plan.

Maximize Workforce Productivity

The ability to work remotely reduces the time wasted when employees can’t reach the workplace due to circumstances outside of their control. An EMM system grants greater flexibility to employees who decide not to risk commuting in hazardous weather conditions or must remain away from the office for personal reasons by establishing the necessary data security, authentication and management controls. As a result, employees can spend their best available time for work regardless of their location.

Reduce Costs

When employees bring their own mobile devices to work, companies can move more information to the cloud and save on IT infrastructure costs. An EMM simplifies the process of managing mobile devices and the data they can access by providing centralized controls. EMM technologies allow organizations to alleviate the management and security concerns surrounding BYOD and mobile device usage at the workplace.