AT&T Mobile Device Management & Automated Device Enrollment
Business mobile-device management is about more than activating phones. Companies may need to enroll devices automatically, enforce security policies, deploy applications, separate business and personal data, control lost devices, and manage smartphones, tablets and computers from a centralized platform.
Curtis Matthews can help businesses review AT&T device-enrollment options, MDM and UEM requirements, mobile endpoint security, and the broader device deployment process.
Device Enrollment and MDM Are Not the Same Thing
This distinction is important when planning a business device rollout.
AT&T Device Management Program
The AT&T Device Management Program helps automate enrollment of eligible AT&T-purchased devices into manufacturer enrollment programs.
- Apple Business Manager
- Android zero-touch enrollment
- Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment
- Central enrollment-status visibility
- Support for larger device deployments
This helps devices reach the correct enrollment program before the employee begins setup.
MDM / UEM Platform
The MDM or Unified Endpoint Management platform is the system the business uses to actually manage and secure enrolled devices.
- Security and compliance policies
- Application deployment
- Remote configuration
- Device inventory and status
- Remote lock or wipe capabilities
- Access and data controls
Automated Enrollment Options
Apple Business Manager
Apple Business Manager can help organizations automate enrollment of company-owned iPhone, iPad and other supported Apple devices into an organization's device-management environment.
Android Zero-Touch
Android zero-touch enrollment can automatically apply an organization's enterprise configuration when supported Android devices are first powered on.
Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment
Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment can streamline deployment of eligible Samsung devices and connect them to the organization's device-management system during initial setup.
What MDM and UEM Can Help Businesses Control
Device Configuration
- Wi-Fi settings
- Email and business accounts
- VPN and connectivity profiles
- Security requirements
- Device restrictions
Applications & Content
- Business application deployment
- App restrictions
- Managed application settings
- Business document controls
- Software update policies
Security & Compliance
- Passcode requirements
- Encryption and compliance policies
- Jailbreak or root detection
- Lost-device response
- Remote lock and wipe
Visibility & Administration
- Device inventory
- Operating-system visibility
- Compliance reporting
- Device ownership status
- Central policy administration
MDM, UEM and Mobile Endpoint Security
These technologies overlap, but they solve different parts of the problem.
MDM
Mobile Device Management focuses primarily on managing and controlling mobile endpoints such as smartphones and tablets.
UEM
Unified Endpoint Management can extend management across additional endpoint types such as laptops and desktops while also managing applications, content and access policies.
Mobile Endpoint Security
Endpoint-security products focus on threats such as malicious apps, phishing, risky networks, compromised devices and other mobile-security risks.
For broader security requirements, review AT&T Business Cybersecurity & Networking .
Common MDM and Device Deployment Scenarios
- New employee devices: configure phones and tablets before or during initial setup.
- Large device rollouts: reduce manual setup when deploying many corporate-owned devices.
- BYOD environments: apply appropriate business controls while considering employee-owned devices.
- Remote workforces: manage devices used outside the traditional office.
- Field operations: manage smartphones, tablets and other mobile endpoints used by field teams.
- Security and compliance: establish consistent configuration and access policies across managed devices.
How a Business Device Rollout Can Work
-
Define the requirement.
Identify users, device types, ownership model, applications and security needs. -
Select the enrollment path.
Determine whether Apple Business Manager, Android zero-touch or Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment applies. -
Connect the MDM/UEM platform.
Devices are directed into the organization's selected management environment. -
Deploy and manage.
The organization applies policies, applications and controls as devices reach employees.
Review AT&T Business upgrades and new lines .
My Role as Your AT&T Solution Provider
Device-management projects can involve wireless ordering, enrollment programs, MDM or UEM software, endpoint security, device ownership, IT policies and deployment requirements.
My role is to understand the business requirement, help identify the appropriate AT&T and device-enrollment path, coordinate additional resources when needed, and help keep the wireless and deployment pieces aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AT&T Device Management Program an MDM platform?
No. The AT&T Device Management Program helps enroll supported devices into Apple Business Manager, Android zero-touch or Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment. Those enrollment programs can then direct devices into the organization's chosen MDM, EMM or UEM platform.
What is the difference between MDM and UEM?
MDM traditionally focuses on mobile endpoints such as smartphones and tablets. UEM expands management across a broader range of endpoints and can also include application, content and access-management capabilities.
Can AT&T help enroll Apple devices?
Yes. Eligible AT&T-purchased Apple devices can be associated with Apple Business Manager through the AT&T Device Management Program, depending on the account and enrollment configuration.
Can Android devices be automatically enrolled?
Eligible Android devices can use Android zero-touch enrollment so enterprise configuration can begin when the device is first set up.
What about Samsung devices?
Eligible Samsung devices can use Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment to streamline enrollment and deployment into the organization's management environment.
Can Curtis help with both the devices and MDM planning?
Yes. Curtis can help coordinate the AT&T wireless, device-ordering and enrollment requirements while helping identify the appropriate MDM/UEM or security solution path for the business.
Review Your Mobile Device Management Requirements
Tell me how many devices you manage, which operating systems you use, whether the devices are company-owned or BYOD, which applications employees need, and what security or deployment problem you are trying to solve.