No one can deny the transformative power of devices like iPhone, iPad and MacBook in todays educational landscape. They are the lifeblood of learning, teaching and administrative tasks, enabling everyone to access learning platforms, manage records, collaborate on documents, and carry out numerous other tasks online. This technology wave is not without its share of challenges though for IT leaders, especially when it comes to device management.

With a higher number of users across various devices and locations, the risk of security and data breaches increases higher and higher over time. It’s an ever-looming shadow over the role of IT leaders and their teams.

However, leaders of IT hold the reins of power, especially when armed with a well-devised plan. A robust device management strategy is the best solution to help navigate these tricky challenges. Not only will it keep you one step ahead of potential risks, but it also provide a solid foundation for future risk mitigation, providing greater board assurance and compliance with Cyber Security Insurers.

Here’s the icing on the cake: many device management strategies go hand-in-hand with device management software platforms, equipping IT leaders and their teams with tools like:

• Remote monitoring: keeping an eagle eye on all devices, regardless of location
• Application deployment: empowering users to self-serve via customised portals
• Data security: securing data with encryption, providing peace of mind
• Policy management: setting necessary boundaries that provide greater control

Let’s dive into why this matters.

Key Ingredients for a successful device management strategy

IT leaders and their teams are digital orchestrators and know device management is not just an operational concern, it’s a strategic one that impacts everyone. Whether pioneering a new strategy or refining an existing one, there are several fundamentals to factor in. They include:

Efficient deployment:

Each device is a digital gateway, uniting your institution into a cohesive digital community. Its configuration should not only mirror the role and needs of the user but also empower them. With the right device management software, you can achieve this quickly and precisely, bypassing the tedium of manual setups. Effective deployment not only speeds up access to crucial apps and systems, but also eliminates human error.

Intelligent usage management:

Even the best of us can succumb to a click-gone-wrong. Introducing permitted app guidelines can help pre-empt unsolicited incidents and provide greater levels of enterprise management. That’s why a mobile device management (MDM) solution can be seen as your ‘security guard’ as well as provide valuable insights into your device estate, enabling IT teams to better tailor and protect their digital ecosystems for their user-base.

Robust protection:

Remote and hybrid work has its blessings and curses, especially when users log-in via unsecured networks and Wi-Fi hotspots. But this is where your MDM software, like Jamf turns superhero – guarding devices and data by imposing restrictions on unsecured apps or, requiring a secure VPN connection to grant access. This level of protection is now considered mandatory by wider security experts and required by many Cyber Security insurers.

Streamlined support:

New apps need installing, software patches need applying and sometimes, your team needs IT support. With advanced MDM software tools, you can wave goodbye to returning devices to the IT department and say hello to the convenience of remote monitoring, maintenance, support and self-service. Third party companies like Academia, offer ‘managed device services’ that take away the pains of day-to-day management of your devices, freeing up time for IT admins. Services like this can be modular so if you want to control your device estate but want help supporting users and/or IT teams, they provide that too.

Effective lifecycle planning:

Every device has a story, from onboarding to recycling. Team members leave, devices get damaged or lost, data needs transferring, deleting and more importantly wiping. A device management strategy should anticipate these narratives, ensuring a safe and seamless transition of devices and their data, under any circumstances.

James Davies, Technical Solutions Consultant at Academia concludes “Getting to grips with device management isn’t just a precautionary tale. It’s also a blueprint for faster, flawless and scalable deployment of the right devices to the right people at the right time, supporting greater overall productivity. These strategic ingredients will help bake a resilient device management strategy whilst providing the required level of enterprise grade management”.

At Academia, we offer market leading device management solutions, from simplifying your billing process, to mitigating cyber attacks on your devices. We proud to support UK universities and colleges and be awarded preferred supplier status on a number of National and Regional Frameworks covering the supply of software and hardware.

So, don’t let your device situation spiral out of control! Check out our Modern workplace brochure that goes through the device management options available to Further and Higher education, get in touch and find out how Academia can support a safer, more streamlined device environment that boosts output and underpins your overall objectives.