Run only select few apps on the device

Mobile Application Management (MAM)

Mobile apps are fast becoming the cornerstone upon which a mobile-first/mobile-only workforce can be firmly established. However, besides managing the entire life cycle of apps – from installation to deletion and updating apps, IT admins need to manage app licenses, permissions, configurations etc, making app management cumbersome without mobile device management solutions.

However, MDM’s mobile application management completely eases this process right from installing apps, managing them and deleting them. Here’s a comprehensive list of features supported by MDM to ease mobile application management for IT admins:

• Building your own enterprise app catalog

Creating your own app catalog to contain only those apps approved by the organization. These apps can either be Store apps, available for public download on the Internet or enterprise apps, the in-house apps developed specifically to cater to the organization’s needs. Only these apps are permitted to be installed on the devices, thus minimizing installation of unapproved apps.

• App Self Service Portal

With each department needing their own set of apps and not all employees might require all the apps available for the department. In such a scenario, setting up the self-service portal with all the apps and allowing the employees to choose and install the apps that they require.

• Department-based app deployment

In most organizations, employees belonging to a particular department are bound to use the same set of apps. Clustering devices of these employees into groups ensure all apps previously associated to the groups, get automatically distributed to any device that gets added to the group, thereby automating the app distribution process at a department level.

• Silent app installation / update / deletion

One of the primary requirements pertaining to mobile app management is ensuring the requisite corporate apps gets installed with no user intervention and minimal admin action. MDM integrates with Apple Business Manager(previously known as Apple Volume Purchase Program) in case of iOS, Google Play (previously known as Play of Work)in case of Android, and Windows Business Store in case of Windows. In addition to this, you can also install MSI apps on Windows laptop.

• App Blacklisting

As an enterprise dealing primarily with corporate devices wouldn’t want unapproved apps to be installed on the devices. These apps can be non-work apps, which can lead to loss of productivity or worst can be malicious apps trying to access confidential data.

 App blacklist lets you pre-define a list of apps, which gets removed if installed previously on managed devices and also prevents subsequent installations. These apps can be the ones pre-installed on the devices or the apps installed by the user.

• App configurations and permissions

With certain apps which require a multitude of settings to be configured before usage, you would ideally want the IT admin to configure. However, configuring it repeatedly might be a cumbersome task for the admin. MDM lets you pre-configure the basic settings on the app (supported for iOS, Android, and Windows), ensuring the app is ready to use on installation without requiring any user intervention. Further, you can also pre-define the app permissions ensuring the users cannot modify the permissions enabled/disabled by the enterprise.

• App-based restrictions

Having installed the apps on the devices, the next step is to configure restrictions on the devices, to avoid unauthorized access of the corporate data which is being used by the apps. MDM lets you restrict the sharing of data from approved apps to unapproved apps and vice-versa. You can also configure restrictions to prevent users from uninstalling apps, installing unapproved apps and you can even disable Play Store / App Store / Business Store.

• App-specific policies

From locking devices to specific apps using Kiosk Mode to having Virtual Private Network (VPN) specially for apps, the need for app-specific policies is becoming pertinent by the day. With MDM, not only can you lock the device to a specific set of corporate apps but also pre-configure device settings and prevent users from modifying it. Further, you can also configure Single Sign-On option for corporate apps. Further, you can convert your web apps into conventional looking mobile apps using web shortcuts (or web clips).

• App-based reports

With apps being the bedrock of mobile-first workforces, app-based reports provide the IT admin with granular details such as apps present on the device, devices with blacklisted apps etc. MDM has these as out-of-the-box reports which can be scheduled and sent via e-mail.

• Integrations

MDM integrates with Zoho Creator, a low-code app development software, which lets you create web applications, which can they be made into Android/iOS applications, which can then be shared to devices using MDM. You can do the same in case of your CRM application developed using Zoho CRM MDM also integrates with several applications, which can be viewed here.

• Play Store layout customization

Having built up an app catalog containing only those apps approved by the organization, you can also ensure the Play Store from where the apps are being installed is customized based on the organization’s needs. This ensures easier navigation around the Play Store to install those apps approved by the organization.