Smarter device management: What to expect from UEM
January 2, 2025 / Eric Harris
Short on time? Read the key takeaways:
- UEM has evolved beyond device management to become central to enterprise security, handling everything from IoT devices to remote workforce needs.
- AI and automation now enable proactive issue prevention and streamlined operations, reducing IT workload while improving security.
- Cloud-based UEM solutions offer the flexibility to scale operations while keeping costs in check.
- Modern UEM platforms balance security requirements with user experience through self-service options and smart scheduling.
Your teams thrive on flexibility and choice. As laptops, smartphones, tablets, and even IoT devices expand your digital workplace, unified endpoint management (UEM) is becoming essential for companies that must keep control of all these endpoints.
Beyond simply managing devices, it has evolved into something much larger and smarter, shaping how companies operate and secure their digital estate.
Better ways to manage your workplace
Your workforce embraces flexibility beyond a desk in the office. They want to work from home, on the go, and from any device they choose. This means IT teams are juggling an increasing number of operating systems, devices, and platforms. UEM simplifies how you manage this growing variety of devices. It is designed to integrate all these systems — Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android — into a single, unified place.
This shift helps strengthen digital security. Embracing remote work opens organizations up to more risks. UEM helps to ensure that every device is secure, no matter where it's used or what type of device it is. This is where the future of UEM is headed, balancing the need for flexibility with the increased demands of security. Your security evolves with your workplace needs.
The rise of automation and AI
Picture your IT systems predicting device issues before they occur. AI and automation make this possible. Instead of reactive problem-solving, UEM tools are increasingly proactive by automatically managing software updates and security patches and predicting hardware failures. AI can analyze patterns across thousands of devices and detect risks before they become significant problems.
Automation can also help your organization onboard and offboard employees more efficiently. As business grows and scales, manual device setup becomes cumbersome and labor-intensive. UEM solutions powered by AI automate these processes, making it easier to manage device fleets and reduce human error.
Cloud solutions that scale with you
Your device management needs to grow with your business. Cloud-based UEM is gaining momentum, allowing organizations to manage global workforce devices without being tied to physical infrastructure. Cloud UEM lets you manage devices from anywhere, creating a centralized hub that supports an entire global operation. This provides the flexibility and scalability that businesses need to grow.
This shift to the cloud also offers both convenience and cost benefits. You can avoid significant upfront costs for servers and infrastructure and pay only for the UEM services you need. Note that there is a need for more stringent data protection standards with the cloud. Compliance with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA becomes critical when sensitive data is stored and accessed from the cloud.
Focus on your people
UEM's success depends on making work easier for employees. A UEM solution that disrupts the user experience with constant forced updates or device issues will fail to gain traction. That’s why the future of UEM will focus heavily on enhancing the user experience.
Newer UEM platforms are incorporating self-service features that empower employees to solve minor issues independently, reducing dependency on the service desk. Flexible scheduling for updates and patches ensures workers aren’t interrupted during essential tasks. As remote troubleshooting tools improve, support teams can help employees with technical issues from any location.
Preparing for what’s next
The next decade of UEM will continue to bring more sophistication, automation, and security. As AI becomes more embedded in these systems, they will increasingly operate autonomously in the background, managing tasks that previously took hours of manual labor. With cloud-based UEM, businesses can grow without worrying about the infrastructure to manage their devices.
Ultimately, UEM is poised to become the cornerstone of your organization’s entire digital strategy. Whether managing a fleet of IoT devices, ensuring compliance in regulated industries, or enabling a hybrid workforce, UEM will play a pivotal role in securing and simplifying the modern workplace.
Ready to transform your device management? Our experts can show you how. Connect with an expert for a personalized assessment, or visit us online.
