People are becoming more tech-savvy, using mobile applications for business with ease and making their lives easier.

However, if mobile applications are not safe and protected, this opens the door to certain potential cyber-attacks.

Having a robust Mobile Application system in place is also a realistic option. Mobile App Management (often abbreviated as “MAM”) refers to a category of software that controls access to corporate data from mobile devices.

It enables an organization to control how employees use, secure, and collaborate with corporate applications, data, and content on their personal smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

It is a huge topic that is often misunderstood. Application management gives an overview of the security of the mobile application from the point of view of the enterprise.

Application management can be easily integrated into the overall security infrastructure of the business to provide a greater degree of protection.

This blog will take a look at what is mobile application management and different types of MAM software and how they work.

What is Mobile Application Management?

Mobile app management (MAM) gives IT the control it needs to protect business data and resources on Android and iOS devices.

Businesses face new challenges in securing their data and resources. As the number of mobile workers and contingent workers grow, businesses must ensure their employees and outside contractors can work securely and productively on the go.

MAM is a new and growing category of solution for IT to manage and secure enterprise data and resources on mobile devices, including both personal and corporate-issued devices.

It facilitates secure access to business apps and data for employees. It refers to the whole lifecycle management of every app used in a company, which includes installing, upgrading, and removing apps on both corporate and personally owned devices.

Administration of mobile app licenses, rights, and configurations, as well as defining corporate app rules, which include limits on the applications and data saved on the apps, are all part of enterprise mobile application management.

How does Mobile App Management work?

The strategy for MAM varies depending on the company. The following are some examples of how an organization can use MAM:

Related Post: How to do Mobile App Marketing?

Wrapping an Application is the First Step

An additional code is added to the applications you use, allowing IT managers to monitor them, govern the data they share, and protect them from dangers and unauthorized access.

Sandboxing of Applications

Application sandboxing is the process of isolating key business applications from other programs that aren’t normally used for business. Your ability to use the application is restricted to its intended purpose.

For example, if you are a marketing professional who uses mobile marketing apps like HubSpot and Hootsuite as well as apps like Netflix and Amazon for personal use on your mobile device, HubSpot and Hootsuite will be given a UID (unique user ID) to distinguish them from other apps.

This clearly specifies the application’s function; work-related mobile apps cannot be used for personal purposes, and vice versa.

Making use of MDM Procedures

Many individuals are perplexed by the differences between MAM and MDM (mobile device management).

While MAM refers to imposing corporate regulations on simply the programs, MDM refers to implementing corporate policies across the complete device, including monitoring what is accessed and shared on the device rather than just the applications.

Key Features of Mobile App Management

Mobile application administration with ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus makes app installation, maintenance, and deletion a breeze.

Here’s a complete list of MDM capabilities that make mobile app administration easier for IT admins:

Creating your own app store for business

An application for MAM makes it easy to create your own app library with only those apps that have been allowed by the organization.

These apps can be Store apps, which are available for public distribution on the Internet, or corporate apps, which are in-house apps created particularly to meet the needs of the company.

Only certain apps are allowed to be loaded on the devices, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized programs being installed.

Self-Service Portal for Apps

Because each department has its own collection of applications, not all employees may require all of the department’s apps.

Setting up a self-service portal with all of the apps and allowing employees to choose and install the apps they need in this case.

App deployment by department

Employees from the same department are likely to utilize the same collection of apps in most companies.

By grouping these employees’ devices, all apps previously associated with the groups are automatically delivered to any device added to the group, automating the app distribution process at the department level.

Installing, updating, and deleting a silent app

It guarantees that the necessary corporate apps are installed without the need for user interaction or administrative involvement.

For iOS, MDM interfaces with Apple Business Manager (formerly known as Apple Volume Purchase Program), for Android, Google Play (previously known as Play for Work), and for Windows, Windows Business Store. Additionally, MSI applications can be installed on Windows laptops.

Block listing of apps

App Blocklist allows you to create a list of apps that will be uninstalled if they were previously installed on controlled devices and will also prohibit future installations.

These apps can be those that come pre-installed on the device or those that the user installs.

Permissions and app configurations

You’d like the IT admin to configure certain apps that require a lot of settings to be configured before they can be used.

Configuring it repeatedly, on the other hand, could be a time-consuming chore for the administrator. MDM allows you to pre-configure the program’s basic settings (available for iOS, Android, and Windows), guaranteeing that the software is ready to use right away after installation.

You may also pre-define app permissions to ensure that users cannot change the rights that the organization has enabled or disabled.

Restriction based on the app

After installing the apps on the devices, the next step is to set up device limits to prevent unauthorized access to the corporate data that the apps need.

MDM allows you to limit data sharing from approved to unapproved apps and vice versa. You can also set limitations to prohibit users from deleting apps or downloading unapproved apps, as well as disabling Play Store, App Store, and Business Store altogether.

Policies that apply to certain apps

The demand for app-specific regulations is growing by the day, from limiting devices to specific apps using Kiosk Mode to creating a Virtual Private Network (VPN) specifically for apps.

Not only can you lock the smartphone to a set of corporate apps with MDM, but you can also pre-configure device settings and prevent users from changing them.

Additionally, you can set up Single Sign-On for business apps. You can also use web shortcuts to convert your web apps into traditional mobile apps (or web clips).

The Advantages of Managing Mobile Apps

Enhance Safety

MAM’s major goal is to keep mobile apps safe. You can use App wrapping, App sandboxing, MDM protocols, or any other method, but the data is always protected, regardless of who owns the device.

User privacy is kept confidential

While their work applications on their mobile devices are constantly watched, their personal data on the same device is never scanned.

The essence of MAM is the process of separating personal applications and implementing IT restrictions solely on business applications.

As a result, employees may rest assured that their personal information will be kept private.

Embracing Mobility

There’s no reason why organizations should prevent employees from using their personal smartphones or give a corporate mobile device when MAM takes care of mobile application security.

In the event of an emergency, the user no longer needs to drive back to the office. He now has a mobile device, and practically any issue can be resolved from any location, which pushes other businesses to adopt mobility.

FAQs

What is Application Management software and how does it work?

IT administrators can use Mobile App Management software to remotely manage mobile apps, both those that are currently loaded on devices and those that are yet to be installed.

IT managers can set policies for each and every app, as well as the data that the apps handle.

Why is Mobile App Management (MAM) important?

With more companies moving to a mobile-only or mobile-first workforce, app adoption is skyrocketing in these companies.

IT administrators are responsible for managing mobile apps, ensuring that enterprise devices are suitable for corporate use by installing all necessary apps and updating them to the most recent version.

Managing enterprise mobile apps, regardless of the size of the company, appears to be a difficult challenge for IT managers that’s why it is important.

Conclusion

You may also ensure that the Play Store from where the apps are installed is modified based on the business’s demands once you’ve built up an app catalog including only those apps allowed by the organization.

This makes it easier to navigate the Play Store and install the apps that have been approved by the company.

If you haven’t yet implemented this in your company and don’t know what is Mobile Application Management now it’s time to do so.

For more information about the mobile app visit our website.