Mobile Device Management

As mobile devices become more sophisticated, the software that controls them is becoming more complex. This growing complexity is driving a need for mobile device management.

Mobile device management solutions consist of a variety of technologies and processes that permit mobile network operators to ensure that the mobile devices and application on their network are performing as specified. The individual elements of a management solution address provisioning, configuration, back-up & restore, diagnosis, repair, and update.

Mobile device management delivers both cost savings and enhanced revenues to mobile network operators.

Mobile device management helps mobile network operators and mobile device manufacturers to reduce costs by more efficiently responding to defects in mobile device software. (See related material on Firmware over the air update) In this case, the mobile device management solution also improves customer satisfaction, diminishing customer churn.

Mobile device management can also provide enhanced revenue opportunities for mobile network operators. An effective solution can provide operators with a means to deliver additional services to their subscribers and, in fact, to personalize mobile devices and services to suit particular user requirements.

Given the potential for significant cost savings and revenue enhancement of mobile device management, mobile network operators worldwide are already beginning to deploy mobile device management solutions. According to industry analysts, the market for mobile device management is expected to exceed $400 million by 2009. The initial deployment of these solutions have focused on provisioning, but future solutions will broaden to include more sophisticated customization of mobile devices.