With the rise of SaaS application management, mobile device management (MDM) services have gained popularity among IT professionals. Modern computing environments rely on the efficient use and provisioning of resources.

But which one is right for your business: on-premise or cloud MDM deployment? While this may seem like a simple question, there are many factors that come into play when deciding which method to go with.

This article discusses the differences between on-premises vs. cloud MDM deployment. It will also present examples, use cases, and pros and cons of these two deployment options.

Deployment options

MDM systems can be deployed either on-premise or in the cloud. The former requires you to maintain your own infrastructure, while the latter allows you to use a third-party vendor’s infrastructure.

Cloud MDM deployment is often a good choice for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It allows you to focus on growing your business while letting the vendor take care of maintaining the MDM infrastructure.

According to a study, 68% of SMBs think mobile solutions are critical for operational efficiency and productivity. It also found 57% already use mobile apps for business purposes.

Cloud MDMs allow you to reduce your IT costs by outsourcing server maintenance and management, as well as improve your IT staff’s productivity by allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities. On the other hand, on-premise MDMs enable businesses to gain more control over server hardware, achieve privacy and security, and cheaper network bandwidth costs.

Deployment options are not exclusive to each other, though. It should be noted that it is possible for an organization to have both types of deployments.

Ease of use

The ease of use of an MDM system is important because it will determine how much time and effort is required for you to manage your devices. This includes the initial setup process, which should be quick and easy for any user without technical knowledge.

Cloud MDMs are easy to install and manage, which makes them ideal for smaller businesses that do not have a dedicated IT team. These tools also offer advanced features that can help IT professionals streamline their workflow as well, such as communication tools for customer support to users or accessing data from a central location.

Suppose you are managing several projects remotely. Your team can use MDM tools with Android apps like Trello, ClickUp, or Jira alternatives to manage project tasks. Interoperability is essential for your business apps to allow ease of use and achieve optimized functionality.

On the other hand, on-premise MDMs tend to fall short on ease of use. They require IT teams to install and manage them, which can be a lot of work. They also take up space on company servers and may not be compatible with certain hardware or software configurations. Despite these drawbacks, on-premise MDMs have several advantages over cloud-based tools.

Cost of deployment

MDM is an important tool for any business, but it is also one that can be quite expensive. As a result, companies need to consider their budget when choosing an MDM solution. They should also look at how much they are paying for their current management software and whether or not there are any other costs associated with the product.

Some companies may need only basic management capabilities, while others may need advanced features such as data encryption or remote wipe. The more advanced features a company needs, the more expensive their MDM solution is likely to be.

In terms of cost disparities, on-premise MDMs are usually more expensive because they entail a greater upfront investment. However, they can also be more cost-effective in the long run because they do not require additional licensing fees and maintenance costs associated with cloud-based MDMs.

Conversely, cloud-based MDM systems are generally less expensive because they do not require a significant upfront investment. However, they may also be more expensive in the long run because they require additional licensing fees and maintenance costs associated with on-premise MDMs.

Some MDM products have additional fees for things like training and support. Others may charge per user or per device instead of offering a flat rate pricing structure. Ultimately, MDM solutions can vary in price depending on the features and capabilities of the software.

Reliability

Software reliability is the ability of software to perform its required tasks without interruption in a specific environment. For an MDM, this entails the ability of the software to run without interruption and provide access to all data in all situations. If a company relies on its MDM to manage critical information, it needs to know that the platform will always work.

On-premise MDM systems are generally known to be highly reliable. This is because the software is installed on your own servers and managed by your IT department. As a result, it is less likely to experience outages or data loss.

On the contrary, cloud MDMs are relatively less reliable. This is because they are hosted and managed by the vendor itself, which means that the company has little control over how well its data is protected.

Still, as this technology matures, cloud-based MDM tools have become more reliable. In fact, many companies now choose the cloud-based option because it is less expensive and much easier to set up than on-premise MDM software. Some MDM solutions allow safe remote access to their accounting and payroll programs, which are normally used in-house.

Scalability

Scalability refers to an MDM solution’s capability to grow as your company does. This is important because if you are a growing business, there is a good chance that your MDM needs will change over time.

For example, if you start with just one or two users and then grow to 10 or 20 employees within the first year, it would be difficult (if not impossible) for an on-premise solution to scale up along with your needs.

This situation fits a cloud MDM deployment. Aside from the fact that you will not have to pay for expensive hardware, a cloud MDM solution can also scale up as your business grows. This is because the vendor will install additional instances of their software in the cloud as needed to handle increased traffic.

Because of the fact that it is easier to scale, cloud MDM solutions are a better fit for businesses with fewer than 500 users. On the other hand, if your company has more than 500 employees, an on-premise deployment may be a better option. This is because it will allow you to maintain control over your data while still having access to the benefits of cloud computing.

Control

On-premise MDM deployments are typically easier to control than cloud MDM systems. This is because you do not need to worry about third parties accessing and storing your data.

The downside of this is that it can be more difficult to manage, which means you may have trouble accommodating increased traffic from users. Still, seasoned on-premise MDM vendors offer a variety of tools and services that can help you manage your deployments.

For example, many vendors offer robust data management tools that can help you better organize your data. There are MDM vendors like AirDroid Business that offer integrated remote support capability that empowers IT teams to resolve technology issues in real time.

In a perfect world, cloud MDMs are more flexible and scalable, which means they are a better option if you have a large number of users. They can also be easier to manage, although this depends on the specific software that you use.

Cloud MDM systems, however, also have their downsides in terms of control. For instance, it is more difficult to manage off-site, mobile users compared to on-premise MDM solutions.

Security consideration

Security is another major consideration when choosing an MDM solution. With the sensitive data your company stores on its devices, you need to be sure that no one can access it without permission or cause harm by deleting or modifying files.

Both types of MDM deployments are secure by default. However, on-premise systems tend to be more secure than cloud MDMs due to their closed nature.

While on-premise MDMs are easier to safeguard from cyberattacks, cloud MDMs can be more convenient to manage because they can be accessed from anywhere. This deployment allows you to remotely manage connected devices like POS, outdoor display ads, and IoT devices.

Nonetheless, the security implications of this convenience are significant: If a hacker or a malicious employee gains access to your cloud MDM system, they could gain control of all your company’s devices in one fell swoop.

Both MDM deployments are a good choice, depending on the situation

You now have a good understanding of these MDM deployment methods so that you can make a more informed decision with regard to your own needs and requirements. However, the choice between on-premise and cloud deployments will depend on your requirements and resources.

It is also worth noting that on-premise or cloud MDM solutions are not suitable for all businesses. There are several use cases where on-premise deployment makes more sense than cloud deployment and vice-versa.

In case you are unsure which MDM deployment to choose for your business, it is best to research, consult reputable vendors, and read definitive MDM buyer’s guides.