MDM vs. MAM: What's the difference?

While the advent of mobile technology made many aspects of business easier, it also presented new challenges — chief among them, securing devices. Two main approaches to enterprise mobility management (EMM) emerged: MDM and MAM. These methods focus on different aspects of mobile devices to improve efficiency while enhancing security. Either option can allow you to purchase and install applications from the Apple Store or Google Play, but they vary in several other regards.  

Whether MDM or MAM is best for your business depends on your unique needs and goals. However, using both typically provides the greatest level of control. We’ll break down what you need to know to make the right decision for your company.  

What is mobile device management? 

Mobile device management (MDM) focuses on the devices themselves. Common functions include:   

• Enforcing device policies 

• Pushing applications to devices 

• Securing corporate emails and other documents 

• Segregating corporate data 

• Managing smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices 

• Wiping or locking lost or stolen devices 

The main benefit of MDM software is its power. It can provide high-level control and therefore exceptional security. However, some users may push back due to privacy concerns, particularly if you want to install an MDM solution on a personal device that they also use for work.  

What is mobile application management? 

Mobile application management (MAM) targets apps. Common functions include:  

• Managing apps 

• Monitoring apps 

• Securing apps 

The main benefits of MAM are twofold. First, it allows more granular control on the application level. Additionally, users typically have fewer privacy concerns since MAMs lack the broad control of MDMs. However, MAM software only works with certain applications, limiting your ability to manage all work-related content. 

What’s the difference between managing apps and managing devices? 

Breadth and depth are the primary differences between managing devices and managing apps. While managing devices provides broader control, managing apps allows you to delve more deeply into enterprise app management without affecting a user’s other applications.  

Think of MDM as the equivalent of redecorating your office while MAM is like reorganizing your desk drawers. While these two activities are related, they’re also distinct. Either or both options may be worthwhile depending on your needs and goals.  

Because of their different focuses, MDM is often used for managing corporate-owned devices, while MAM is favored for managing corporate-owned software.  

What other forms of mobile device management exist?  

Multiple approaches all fall under the EMM banner, making matters more confusing. In addition to MDM and MAM, other strategies also exist.  

• Mobile content management (MCM): This content-focused strategy allows businesses to share business data, set access controls, and more.  

• Mobile information management (MIM): Regardless of the managed device, MIM focuses on encrypting data and only granting access to approved apps.  

• Mobile security management (MSM): MSM focuses on mobile app, device, and data security. This can include blocking access to certain websites, configuring authentication policies, managing permissions, and more. 

• Mobile expense management (MEM): MEM allows you to track data usage and mobile expenses.  

• Unified endpoint management (UEM):This approach encompasses all endpoints, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, wearables, and IoT devices. 

How do you decide which is best for your business? 

Depending on your objectives, an MDM tool, an MAM solution, or a combination of both may be ideal for your business. We’ll walk you through how to decide.  

Consider your goals 

MDM and MAM solutions accomplish very different objectives. MDM is ideal for complete control over a corporate device. However, MAM is often popular for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environments where you only need control over company data and software assets.  

Assess your budget 

Your business may benefit from both MDM and MAM solutions, particularly if you manage a combination of corporate-owned and BYOD devices. However, this may not be in your budget. Knowing how much you can afford can help you prioritize which solutions are most critical for your company. 

Weigh feedback from users 

In some cases, users may push back against solutions they feel infringe on their privacy. This is more likely if you hope to use an MDM for employee-owned devices, which can come across as an overstep. Some users may also be apprehensive about handing the IT team the power to wipe their phones of all data, including personal data. That said, MDM solutions do not typically allow the IT team to read messages, view photos, or engage in other prying activities that users fear. Being open about the pros and cons of your proposed solution can help you judge reactions before you commit.   

If you’re not sure whether an MDM or an MAM solution is right for your company, seeing one in action might help. Try a free 30-day trial of SimpleMDM, and keep reading the SimpleMDM blog to learn more.