Building a Sustainable Mobility Ecosystem: Best Practices for Corporate Device Management
Enterprises are under growing pressure to support a flexible, connected workforce without compromising security or spiraling costs. Whether it’s smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices, managing a mobile device ecosystem at scale is complex. Yet, with the right strategy and expert partners, companies can build a secure, long-lasting, and sustainable mobility infrastructure.
Here are some key strategies to ensure your corporate mobility ecosystem remains secure, efficient, and prepared for long-term success.
Start with a Clear Mobility Policy Enterprises should create and communicate a comprehensive Mobility Policy. This policy should define who is eligible for a device, standard device types, a device upgrade policy acceptable use, security protocols, employee responsibilities, and support procedures. A well-structured policy sets the foundation for consistent device management and minimizes confusion across departments. Regularly updating the policy is required to reflect changes in technology and emerging threats ensuring ongoing proactive compliance.
A clear mobility policy includes how the company might respond to security issues, protocols for out-of-date devices, and proper device use by employees. Robust policies can help enterprises avoid costly mistakes and keep an eye on their endpoint devices.
Partner with Wireless Management Experts The mobile landscape changes rapidly, and managing it effectively requires specialized knowledge. Wireless management partners offer deep expertise in device procurement, plan optimization, security configuration, and lifecycle management. They help mitigate risk, control costs, and ensure you are leveraging the most efficient solutions available in your enterprise mobility management.
Working with a trusted partner gives companies benefits like access to the latest device updates and trends, optimized carrier plans, and more efficient deployment and onboarding.
Plan for the Full Lifecycle of Devices A sustainable ecosystem includes proper planning for device acquisition, activation through retirement and replacement. Build a lifecycle strategy that includes procurement, activation, usage monitoring, repair management, and environmentally responsible disposal or recycling. The Global E-Waste Monitor 2020 reported that only 17.4% of global electronic waste is properly collected and recycled, underscoring the need for businesses to engage in sustainable disposal practices.
It is common for employees to forget about old devices once they upgrade to a new one, and many old cell phones are sitting in desk drawers, forgotten. Most organizations report on their sustainability achievements. Employers that strive to maximize their recycle rate of old devices can benefit from programs like OVATION Wireless’ Reclamation as a Service which provide experts to bridge that gap.
Implement Robust Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Solutions An MDM/UEM solution is critical for enforcing security policies, deploying software updates, tracking inventory, and remotely locking or wiping lost devices. Choose a platform that integrates well with your existing IT infrastructure and scales with your business. Organizations using a centralized MDM/UEM solution are far more likely to be in compliance with internal security policies.
Some important features to consider when choosing your MDM solution are ease of implementation, security options like remote lock and wipe capabilities, and overall fit with your existing IT structure.
Prioritize Cybersecurity at Every Level Mobile devices are prime targets for cyberattacks. It’s essential to implement layered security measures that include endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and secure connectivity (like VPNs). Many cyberattacks on mobile devices could have been prevented with basic security hygiene, like regular password updates.
Additionally, some MDM software (like Microsoft Intune) allows for greater data encryption control of your employees’ devices, which adds a further level of security to sensitive information. Lack of proper data encryption can put your company’s information at risk if a device is lost or stolen, so having software that secures data across your devices is paramount.
An example of a common hack that has been occurring recently (and often) on mobile devices is “SMiShing” aka “SMS phishing”. This is where fraudulent texts are sent to mobile devices, causing the user to click a bad link and potentially download malware. Examples of this may be a text saying you are late on a payment for a toll road, or that you need to sign for a package to be delivered.
Some best practices to maintain your mobility ecosystem’s security include ongoing employee communications and training, periodic security audits, and ongoing monitoring for unusual behavior or data usage. This allows for devices to be safely utilized by your employees, rather than being compromised by viruses or other online attacks.
Use Analytics to Drive Optimization Data-driven decisions lead to smarter resource allocation. Successful enterprise mobility environments use analytics to track device performance, data usage, downtime, and support tickets. This insight can inform better procurement, plan adjustments, and policy improvements.
This especially comes into focus when looking at carrier rate plans, bundles, and figuring out the best long-term solution for your employees. OVATION has over two decades of expertise in helping enterprises find savings in this area, lending to the long-term financial stability of a company’s mobility ecosystem.
Determine Your Strategy Building a sustainable mobility ecosystem isn’t just about distributing devices. It’s about developing a strategy that combines security, efficiency, and expert guidance to support long-term success. With the right partners, tools, and policies, enterprises can empower a mobile workforce while minimizing risk and cost.
Whether you’re scaling up or refining an existing deployment, investing in expert wireless management and following these best practices will help ensure your mobile ecosystem remains secure, resilient, and ready for the future.
OVATION Wireless Management has expertise and partners in every corner of the mobile device ecosystem. Reach out to us to learn more about how our capabilities can serve the business goals of your organization.
