Enterprise mobility has changed the way Businesses worked. Today employees work remotely and rely more on wireless devices to stay connected. Businesses are deploying newer strategies to accommodate this increasing use of mobile devices. Many businesses are providing company-owned devices to their employees. Others are allowing the use of personal devices for work. Android has gained a strong foothold in the corporate world-altering the traditional Windows enterprise environment. This has accelerated the need for efficient Android Device Management for businesses.

Why is it that so many businesses around the world are turning towards Android Devices for their digitalization needs?

Android: The Preferred Choice for Businesses

According to a 2022 report, Android is the leading mobile operating system worldwide, controlling the mobile OS market with a close to 70 percent share.

Let’s understand the reasons why businesses favor Android devices for their organizations:

1. Customizations

Android is an open-source OS making it more flexible compared to closed-source platforms. Businesses can leverage Android app development services, third-party integrations and lower restrictions.

2. Greater Variety

Android devices have several manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, Motorola, etc. This means, there is a greater variety of devices to choose from compared to Apple or Windows devices that launch only a single device every year. Once the latest versions of the Apple or Windows devices enter the market, the older ones turn obsolete. But, this is not the case with Android devices, making them omnipresent and popular.

3. Affordability

Android devices are economically priced compared to Apple and Windows devices. Businesses all around the world, whether small or big can afford the deployment of Android devices on an organizational level. Some regions of the world are not economically strong to afford even the most low-priced Apple and Windows devices. Android devices bridge the digital gap in such cases.

4. Google Integration

The Android devices come integrated with a variety of Google services. While iOS devices also offer some Google services, they lack deep integration of it. Android devices allow users to leverage Google apps, Gmail, Maps, Docs, Drives, etc.

Business Challenges of Android Device Management

Businesses deploy their Android devices in diverse business use-cases. From RFID scanners and mPOS systems to digital signage and kiosks. But managing bulk Android deployments has a set of challenges associated with it.

Let’s look at the challenges faced by businesses in managing their Android devices:

1. Security and Compliance Management

Enterprise mobility demands employees to access business resources through their mobile devices. This presents a great threat to enterprise security and can lead to data breaches. Furthermore, it can lead to loss of brand reputation and revenue. Simply deploying Android devices throughout the organization is not enough. Businesses must create strict security policies for their employees and ensure constant compliance.

2. Bulk Provisioning of Android Devices

All businesses have certain rules and policies about the use of their devices, business data and resources. But, configuring these policies on multitudes of Android devices is a complex IT task. Several businesses use Android Device Management solutions to streamline their bulk device management. Yet, enrolling all the devices in the device management solution is also a time-consuming task. IT admins spend a lot of time enrolling and provisioning their employees’ devices.

3. BYOD Management

Organizations that allow their employees to use their personal Android smartphones, tablets or laptops for work also face bulk provisioning challenges. IT admins are torn between pushing stringent security policies on their employees’ BYO Android devices, and ensuring that the employees’ privacy is not affected. BYOD environments encounter more security risks, greater compliance violations and more chances of vulnerabilities compared to secured office environments. Despite a lower control over the employees’ personal devices, IT admins are required to ensure maximum corporate security.

4. Distribution of Apps and Content

Most employees are unaware of the security implications of downloading untrusted apps. Likewise, several employees cannot distinguish between secure and malicious websites. BYOD management presents this major threat to enterprises. Lack of employee awareness and improper BYOD practices create loopholes for hackers.

5. Organization-wide Monitoring

There are several tools that help IT admins manage their Android devices and push security configurations on them. But deploying and provisioning devices is simply half the job done. Businesses must monitor their Android devices constantly to ensure security at all times. Tracking device vitals, analyzing usage and running compliance checks routinely is a must.

Scalefusion Android Device Management Solution

Scalefusion is an Android Device Management solution for businesses to simplify their bulk deployments. You can provision, secure and manage your Android devices using a single platform.

Let’s take a look at  some of the Android management capabilities that businesses can leverage with Scalefusion MDM:

1. Managing Device Diversity

Modern businesses need diverse types of digital devices to fulfill their business needs. Businesses need not invest in many solutions to manage their diverse Android devices. You can manage your Android smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital signages and POS systems with a single solution. Scalefusion lets you provision and manage your diverse Android devices, with a single solution. Be it commercial Android devices, rugged devices or custom devices, Scalefusion helps IT admins manage them all.

2. Efficient BYOD Management

You can create dedicated work profiles on your employees’ BYO devices for selective policy application. Work profiles allow containerization of the corporate data. This ensures that your employees’ personal and private data is not merged. Enterprises can push extensive security policies specifically on the work profiles, without affecting the functionality of the complete device.

3. App Management

Scalefusion enables businesses to power their Android devices with business apps remotely. IT admins can leverage silent app installation with minimal employee intervention. Public apps from Google PlayStore or private apps from Scalefusion Enterprise Store can be pushed on bulk Android devices remotely. Furthermore, IT admins can also configure app permissions and updates to suit the business needs.

4. Content Management

Secure transfer of corporate files is crucial when working remotely. Scalefusion MDM lets you push diverse content files remotely on your employees’ devices. You can also push videos and presentations on your public-facing kiosks. Besides, IT admins can also ensure that their employees are protected from malicious websites. Scalefusion lets you allow or block selected websites to steer clear of lurking malware. This enables a secure browsing experience for your employees and minimizes distractions.

5. Greater Security

Scalefusion allows businesses to create comprehensive security policies. IT admins can push these security policies on their Android devices remotely. You can leverage a plethora of network security features such as VPN configuration, firewall, etc. Furthermore, you can push data protection policies such as Factory Reset Protection (FRP) and remote data wipe off. Scalefusion also supports Google SafetyNet Attestation to add an extra layer of security. Reinforcing Android devices with security policies helps businesses deliver a secure remote working experience.

6. Automation

Provisioning multitudes of Android devices is a complex task that consumes a lot of IT time. Scalefusion helps IT admins automate several redundant, but important IT tasks. You can configure pre-scheduled Workflows for a specific date and time from the Scalefusion dashboard. With Scalefusion Workflows you can automate device reboots, app publishing and much more on your Android devices. You can also schedule compliance alerts for various security incidents such as Geofence breaches, data usage, storage space on devices, etc.

Additionally, Scalefusion offers Remote Commands for Android devices. With this, you can automate a list of actions such as installing or deleting files, launching files, activities or services remotely.

7. Remote Troubleshooting

With such a heavy dependence on mobile devices, employees ought to need some technical help. Scalefusion allows your IT admins to offer remote support to your employees. IT admins can leverage the Remote Cast & Control feature from the Scalefusion dashboard. Moreover, IT admins can also take screenshots, screen recordings and generate ITSM tickets. This enables faster issue resolution and prevents extended downtime.

Closing Lines

If you are seeking to deploy devices in your organization that offers both, flexibility and affordability, then Android devices are the right choice for you. You can manage and secure your largescale Android device deployments with Scalefusion MDM.