In the world of managing remote devices, two solutions often come up: MDM (Mobile Device Management) and RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management). While both serve important functions, choosing the right tool can make a big difference, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Let’s dive into what these solutions offer, who they’re for, and why MDM—especially Electric’s enhanced version—is the best fit for SMBs looking to stay agile and secure.

What is MDM?

MDM, or Mobile Device Management, is designed specifically to manage individual mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Key features include enrolling new devices into a management system, enforcing security policies, installing and updating apps, and even remotely wiping lost or stolen devices.

MDM solutions are essential for companies that prioritize device-level security and user-focused management. SMBs that need to streamline their IT without adding a lot of complexity will find MDM to be a much better fit because it offers targeted control and visibility into just the devices employees are using—all without the need for a specialized IT team.

What is RMM?

RMM, or Remote Monitoring and Management, is a tool often used by IT professionals to remotely manage the IT infrastructure of a company. Key features include monitoring system health, applying software updates, managing patches, and performing remote troubleshooting. RMM is an all-encompassing tool that focuses on ensuring a wide range of IT systems are working smoothly—from servers to individual devices.

RMM solutions are great for companies with an in-house IT team that needs centralized oversight of a diverse infrastructure. It’s a powerful tool, but it requires a technical user who can manage complex configurations and ensure that all the different systems are in harmony.

Why MDM is the Right Choice for SMBs

For most SMBs, keeping things simple is key. Managing dozens or hundreds of devices shouldn’t require a team of specialists or a complex network of tools—that’s where MDM shines. It’s focused, easy to use, and purpose-built for managing employee devices.

While RMM can be overkill for many SMBs, MDM directly addresses the common needs: securing devices, ensuring compliance, and minimizing the amount of manual work involved. In particular, MDM allows you to enforce security standards, automatically deploy software, and guarantee that devices are ready to go out of the box for employees—all with minimal effort.

How Electric Enhances MDM for SMBs

Electric takes MDM to the next level, making it particularly approachable and powerful for non-technical SMBs. With Electric, you get:

• Apple Business Manager Enrollment: Electric simplifies the process of integrating with Apple Business Manager, which helps make device enrollment seamless and ready for MDM.
• Zero-Touch Provisioning: Devices can be set up without requiring physical handling by IT staff. New hires receive devices that are pre-configured and ready to go, saving time and ensuring that security standards are met from day one.*
• Industry Standard Security Profiles: Security shouldn’t be intimidating. Electric provides device profiles that adhere to industry standards, implementing measures such as hard drive encryption, firewall control, operating system updates, and complex password enforcement. This ensures your devices are properly protected without requiring you to navigate technical complexities.
• Device Health Monitoring: Electric provides health monitors that keep an eye on device activity and performance, providing clear, easy-to-understand insights for SMBs. This means you’re not just getting data—you’re getting actionable information that lets you know when action needs to be taken.
• Full Procurement Solution: Electric handles device procurement from start to finish, ensuring all devices are MDM-managed throughout their lifecycle. Whether it’s new purchases, reclamation, or re-provisioning, Electric guarantees that your devices remain secure and compliant without any of the usual headaches.
• Integration with Onboarding and Offboarding Workflows: Electric integrates directly into employee onboarding and offboarding workflows, tying device protection to employee lifecycles. This ensures that devices are enrolled, secured, and properly managed as employees join or leave the company.
• HR-Driven Device Procurement and Protection: Electric integrates with human resource solutions to offer HR-driven device procurement and protection. This means that as new employees are onboarded, their devices are automatically procured and secured, creating a seamless and secure experience from day one.

Why Electric’s MDM is Right for Your Business

The reality is that most SMBs don’t have the time, budget, or desire to manage a complex IT environment. Electric’s MDM approach makes device management accessible, secure, and easy to set up – once you partner with Electric you immediately start to protect your business with industry standard security policies.

With features like application management based on user roles and streamlined device procurement, Electric ensures that your team has a stress-free IT experience allowing them to focus on what really matters—delivering value to your customers—while we take care of keeping your devices secure, up-to-date, and working seamlessly. By opting for Electric’s enhanced MDM solution, SMBs can harness powerful device management without the complexity of traditional IT tools like RMM.

*Zero-Touch Provisioning is fully available for Apple devices and for Windows devices is coming in the first quarter of 2025.