Managing endpoint devices has become a critical task for businesses, particularly as the number of connected devices continues to grow exponentially. As organizations expand, the diversity and volume of devices—ranging from desktop PCs and laptops to smartphones and IoT devices—pose significant challenges for IT teams. The need for centralized control and security is more pressing than ever. The case of Outdoor Living Supply, a company that rapidly expanded through acquisitions, exemplifies the difficulties and the innovative solutions available to manage this growing endpoint complexity.
Outdoor Living Supply, founded in 2020, quickly found itself managing a large and geographically dispersed workforce following 17 acquisitions. With 40 locations across 17 states and around 400 employees, the company faced the daunting task of managing its endpoint devices without a centralized system. The introduction of Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) tool, marked a turning point in their strategy, enabling the IT team to standardize and secure all devices under a single management pane.
Unified Endpoint Management: A Necessary Evolution
Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) represents an evolution from traditional device management approaches. Initially, businesses relied on separate tools for managing different types of devices: Microsoft Configuration Manager for PCs and Mobile Device Management (MDM) software for mobile devices. However, as the number of devices and their diversity increased, these siloed management tools proved inadequate. UEM emerged as a comprehensive solution, unifying the management of all devices, regardless of their operating system or type, under a single platform.
The transition to UEM is not just about convenience; it is also about security. According to a report by Enterprise Strategy Group, over 60% of businesses now consider endpoint security as a top priority, driven by the increasing overlap between endpoint management and security needs. UEM solutions like Microsoft Intune not only streamline device management but also integrate advanced security features, such as anomaly detection and risk scoring. These features allow IT teams to monitor the overall health of their devices and proactively address potential threats from a central dashboard.
For businesses like Outdoor Living Supply, the benefits of UEM extend beyond just security. The ability to enforce standardized policies, such as requiring passwords and restricting administrative rights, significantly enhances the company’s cybersecurity posture. The integration with other Microsoft tools, such as Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) and Windows Autopilot, further simplifies processes like device onboarding and offboarding, reducing the time and effort required for these tasks.
The Role of Cloud-Based Solutions in UEM
Cloud-based solutions play a pivotal role in modernizing endpoint management. With the increasing mobility of the workforce and the rise of remote work, the ability to manage devices remotely has become crucial. Cloud-based UEM platforms, such as Microsoft Intune, offer unparalleled flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses to manage a large number of devices spread across multiple locations.
For Outdoor Living Supply, the move to a cloud-based UEM system was essential. With employees using a mix of Lenovo laptops, desktops, and Apple iPhones, the company needed a solution that could manage all these devices from a central location. Microsoft Intune provided the perfect solution, enabling the IT team to remotely enforce policies, install software, and even lock or wipe devices if they were lost or stolen.
The impact of this centralized management was immediate. Before implementing Intune, the IT team had to manually remote into each PC to make changes, a time-consuming process that was prone to errors. With Intune, these tasks can now be performed centrally, saving time and reducing the risk of mistakes. The ability to push a standard set of apps to every user also ensures that all devices are configured consistently, further enhancing security and user experience.
The Steve Holmes Group and SOTI MobiControl
The benefits of cloud-based UEM are not limited to traditional corporate environments. In the healthcare sector, where the need for secure and reliable device management is critical, UEM solutions are making a significant impact. The Steve Holmes Group, a company that manages mobile devices for healthcare providers, has successfully implemented SOTI’s MobiControl endpoint management software to manage its fleet of Zebra Android handhelds and other devices used by nurses and clinicians.
Before adopting SOTI MobiControl, the Steve Holmes Group faced similar challenges to Outdoor Living Supply. The company’s IT staff had to travel extensively to configure and troubleshoot devices, a costly and time-consuming process. However, with the implementation of SOTI MobiControl, these tasks can now be performed remotely, significantly reducing travel time and costs.
The efficiency gains from using SOTI MobiControl are substantial. App installation, which previously took hours, can now be completed in just 15 minutes. The ability to push security patches and software updates remotely ensures that devices are always up to date, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities. As a result, the Steve Holmes Group can provide better customer service, speed up device provisioning, and resolve issues faster, all while operating more efficiently.
Conclusion
As businesses continue to grow and evolve, the need for effective endpoint management will only increase. The examples of Outdoor Living Supply and the Steve Holmes Group illustrate how cloud-based UEM solutions can address the challenges of managing a large and diverse fleet of devices. By centralizing management and integrating advanced security features, these solutions not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance the security and user experience.
Looking forward, the adoption of UEM is expected to rise as more businesses recognize the benefits of a unified approach to endpoint management. According to Gartner, the UEM market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.5% from 2021 to 2026, reaching $16.6 billion by 2026. This growth is driven by the increasing complexity of IT environments and the need for businesses to manage a growing number of devices securely and efficiently.
In the coming years, we can expect to see further advancements in UEM technology, with more features designed to simplify device management, improve security, and enhance the user experience. For businesses that are still relying on traditional management tools, the transition to UEM will be essential to keep pace with the evolving demands of the modern workforce. Whether in the corporate world or in specialized sectors like healthcare, cloud-based UEM solutions are set to play a central role in the future of endpoint management.
