Elements of an Effective Device Management Program
Mobile device management programs allow university IT administrators to have greater control over laptops, tablets and smartphones on a campus network. Using these tools, admins can enforce security policies, push software updates and manage applications.
“It’s the ability to track all of your inventory — your device and software inventory — in one place, so that you can easily look at what is and isn’t being used, easily update things and make sure they are compliant,” says Mat Pullen, senior product marketing manager for education at Jamf.
When it comes to device inventory, putting purchasing power in end users’ hands can free up the IT team and give faculty and staff more autonomy over their device selection.
“Establishing a single e-procurement environment enables higher education institutions to optimize processes, reduce costs and focus on delivering value-added services to the institution,” says Shannon Cobourn, global head of mission solutions in the education and nonprofit sectors at ServiceNow.
In planning a successful device management program that accounts for future needs, it’s important to consider the device lifecycle. Accounting for all aspects of device management — procurement, maintenance, retirement and replacement — is vital to ensure a university has the devices it needs for its end users.
Service providers can support device delivery, inventory management, configuration, imaging, asset tagging and more. They can also help universities with budgeting, security strategies, and recycling and replacement when devices reach their end of life.
Device management is cyclical. Continually reviewing and refreshing device policies and procedures, from security to budgeting, is vital to developing a device management program that can stand the test of time.
KEEP READING: Why sustainable campuses aren’t complete without device recycling.
