Top Mdm Remote Work

The Best MDM Solutions for Remote Teams Right Now

If you are looking for the "best" MDM (Mobile Device Management) for remote work, you are probably trying to solve one massive headache: How do I control computers I can't touch? The short answer is software that lives in the cloud and talks to the devices for you.

Here is the breakdown of the top tools based on what your team actually looks like.

1. Jamf Pro (The Apple Gold Standard)

If your remote team runs on MacBooks, iPads, and iPhones, Jamf is usually the first name that comes up. They have been doing this longer than almost anyone else in the Apple space. According to their own site, they manage over 30 million devices, which is nuts.

Why it works for remote:

• Zero-Touch Deployment: You can ship a shrink-wrapped Mac directly from Apple to your new remote employee in Ohio. When they turn it on and connect to WiFi, Jamf takes over, installs your apps, sets the security settings, and you never had to touch the box.
• Self Service App: It gives employees a sort of "App Store" where they can install approved printers or software without needing to call you for an admin password.

The downside? It can be a beast to learn. It’s powerful, but you might need a certified admin to run it properly if your company is huge.

2. Microsoft Intune (The Corporate Giant)

For most businesses, Microsoft is already running the email and file storage. Intune is Microsoft’s answer to MDM. It is arguably the most powerful tool for Windows machines, but it handles Macs and mobile devices too.

Why it works for remote:

• Conditional Access: This is a fancy term for "security checks." You can set a rule that says, "If this laptop doesn't have the latest antivirus update, it cannot access company email." This is crucial when people are working from insecure home networks.
• Cost Effective: If you have a Microsoft 365 Business Premium license, you probably already own Intune. Its essentially free at that point.

However the interface is clunky. It changes a lot, and sometimes finding a simple setting feels like a treasure hunt where the map is missing.

3. Kandji (The Modern Apple Choice)

Kandji is newer than Jamf but it has grown insanely fast. I love this one because it feels like it was built for 2024, not 2010. It is Apple-only, just like Jamf.

Why it works for remote:

• Blueprints: They have a library of pre-built security templates. You just check a box that says "CIS Compliance" and it automatically applies dozens of security settings. You don't have to script anything.
• Auto-Healing: If a user tries to turn off a security setting (like the firewall), Kandji notices and turns it back on immediately. For remote workers who like to tinker with settings they shouldn't, this is a lifesaver.

4. Rippling (The HR + IT Hybrid)

Rippling started as HR software but moved into IT. This is honestly the coolest concept for remote startups.

Why it works for remote:

• Onboarding magic: When you hire someone in the HR system, Rippling can automatically order them a laptop, ship it to their house, and set up their software accounts (Slack, Zoom, Gmail).
• Offboarding: When you fire someone (sad, but it happens), you click one button in HR, and it locks their computer and suspends all their accounts instantly.

5. Hexnode (The Flexible All-Rounder)

Hexnode is great if you have a weird mix of devices. Android phones, Windows laptops, Macs, maybe even some Apple TVs in the conference room.

Why it works for remote:

• Kiosk Mode: If you have remote workers who only need to use one specific app, you can lock the device to only show that app.
• Geofencing: You can set policies based on location, though this is tricky with privacy laws, so be careful.

What is MDM and Why Do You Actually Need It?

Okay, let's step back a second. MDM stands for Mobile Device Management. But "Mobile" is a bit misleading because nowadays it manages laptops and desktops just as much as phones.

Think of MDM as an invisible cable connecting your office to your remote employee's house. Before remote work became the norm, IT guys would physically take your computer, plug in a USB drive, and install Office or Photoshop. They would manually set the password requirements.

Now that everyone is scattered across the globe, you can't do that. You need a way to tell 50 laptops to "Update Chrome right now" without calling 50 people.

The "Coffee Shop Scenario"

Here is the nightmare scenario that sells MDM software every day.

Your sales director, let's call him Steve, decides to work from a coffee shop. He brings his company MacBook which has all your client data, financial projections, and maybe even passwords saved in a text file (Steve isn't very security conscious).

Steve goes to the bathroom and leaves his laptop on the table. When he comes back, it's gone. Stolen.

Without MDM: You panic. You change every password you can think of. You hope the thief just wipes it to sell it on eBay and doesn't look at the data. You probably lose sleep.

With MDM: Steve calls you. You log into your MDM dashboard (like Jamf or Intune). You find his laptop on the list and click "Remote Wipe." The next time that laptop connects to the internet, it nukes itself. All data is erased. It turns into a useless brick. You sleep fine.

Critical Features to Look For

Not all MDMs are created equal. When you are shopping around, ignore the flashy marketing terms and look for these specific things.

1. Zero-Touch Deployment

I mentioned this earlier, but it is the single most important feature for remote-first companies. Apple calls it "Automated Device Enrollment" (ADE). Windows calls it "Autopilot."

It means you buy the laptop from a vendor, they register the serial number to your company, and you ship it to the employee. You never open the box. As soon as the employee connects to WiFi, the device knows it belongs to your company and downloads the MDM profile. If you don't have this, you have to ship laptops to your IT guy's house, let him set them up, and then he ships them to the employee. That's a waste of time and shipping money.

2. Patch Management

Software needs updates. Windows needs updates. Chrome needs updates. Remote workers are notorious for hitting "Remind Me Later" for weeks on end.

A good MDM lets you force these updates. You can say, "Install this security patch at 2:00 AM" or "Force restart the computer by Friday if the user hasn't done it yet."

3. Asset Management

Do you know how many laptops your company owns? Do you know who has them? Do you know how old they are?

I once helped a company that thought they had 50 laptops. The MDM scan showed they actually had 65 active devices. They had 15 computers floating around that they forgot about. MDM gives you a live inventory list. It tells you the serial number, the battery health, and how much hard drive space is left.

Mac vs. Windows: The Great Divide

This is where things get a little political. In the old days, you tried to find one tool to rule them all. But the reality is that Apple and Microsoft work very differently under the hood.

The "Single Pane of Glass" Myth

Vendors love to say they offer a "Single Pane of Glass" (one dashboard for everything). And while tools like Intune or Workspace ONE can manage both Macs and PCs, they usually have a favorite child.

Intune is amazing for Windows. It's just "okay" for Mac. The features for Mac often lag behind a few months or are harder to configure.

Conversely, Jamf is incredible for Mac but doesn't do Windows.

If your company is 50/50 split, you might actually be better off using two different MDMs. Use Intune for your PC guys and Jamf/Kandji for your Mac guys. Yes, it's two dashboards, but the experience for the users (and the admins) is usually way better. If you must have just one, look at VMware Workspace ONE or stick with Intune and accept the Mac limitations.

How Much Does This Cost?

Pricing is usually per device, per month. It varies wildy, but here is a rough idea so you don't get sticker shock.

• Budget Friendly: $2 - $4 per device/month. (SimpleMDM, Mosyle).
• Mid-Range: $6 - $10 per device/month. (Kandji, Hexnode).
• Enterprise/Premium: $10+ per device/month or bundled with expensive suites. (Jamf Pro, VMware).

Microsoft Intune is tricky because its usually bundled with licenses like "Microsoft 365 Business Premium," which costs around $22/user/month, but that includes Office, Email, Teams, AND Intune. So if you are already in the Microsoft ecosystem, Intune is technically the cheapest option since you are paying for it anyway.

Privacy Concerns: Are You Spying?

This is the question every employee asks when they get that notification saying "Remote Management" is installed. "Can you see my screen? Can you read my texts?"

Generally, no. MDM is not spyware. It operates at the system level, not the user session level.

According to most documentation (and Apple's strict privacy rules), an MDM admin can see:

• What apps are installed.
• The device serial number and model.
• How much storage is used.
• Location (ONLY if the device is put into "Lost Mode" usually).

They usually cannot see:

• Your browser history.
• Your iMessages or texts.
• The contents of your files (Word docs, photos).
• Your screen in real-time (unless they use a separate remote support tool like TeamViewer).

However, you should be transparent with your team. Tell them exactly what the tool does. If you try to sneak it on there, you erode trust fast.

Implementation: Don't Do It Alone

If you are a small business owner with 10 employees, you can probably set up something like Jamf Now (the lite version of Jamf) or Mosyle Business by yourself in an afternoon. They have wizards that walk you through it.

But if you have 50+ people or need to hook into Active Directory, do yourself a favor and hire a consultant for the setup. One wrong click in an MDM policy can accidentally lock everyone out of their computers. I’ve seen it happen. It’s not fun explaining to the CEO why his laptop thinks it's stolen and won't turn on.

Final Thoughts

Remote work is here to stay. Managing devices with spreadsheets and "honor system" security policies doesn't cut it anymore. It's risky and it makes onboarding new staff a nightmare.

Pick a tool that fits your ecosystem. If you are all Mac, go Kandji or Jamf. If you are Microsoft, use Intune. Setup might be a pain for a week, but once it's running, you will wonder how you ever managed without it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use MDM for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)?
A: Yes, most MDMs have a specific "BYOD" mode. It creates a separate "work profile" on the employee's personal phone or laptop. You can manage the work apps and data, but you can't touch their personal photos or apps. If they quit, you just wipe the work profile, and their personal stuff stays safe.

Q: Does MDM slow down computers?
A: Ideally, no. The MDM agent is a very small background process. However, if you set up crazy policies-like scanning for viruses every hour or pushing huge software updates during the middle of the workday-then yes, users will notice. It's all about how you configure it.

Q: What happens if the internet goes out?
A: MDM relies on the internet to send commands. If a laptop is offline, you can't wipe it or update it instantly. However, the policies already on the device (like password requirements or encryption) stay active even when offline.

Q: Is Mosyle good? You mentioned it briefly.
A: Yes! Mosyle is fantastic, especially for budgets. It is extremely popular in education (schools) but their business product is very strong for Apple devices. It is often cheaper than Jamf and Kandji.

Q: Can I install MDM on a computer I already gave to an employee?
A: You can, but it is harder. This is called "User Initiated Enrollment." You have to send the employee a link, and they have to click it and agree to install the profile. They can also remove it if they want to (unless the device is in Apple Business Manager). It is much better to have the device enrolled before you send it out.