Any business that wants to optimize its mobile device management will need to make an important decision in selecting a Managed Mobility Service (MMS). As mobile devices become more and more prevalent in our work lives, managing these devices also becomes more complex, which makes it all the more important for organizations to understand how to choose an MMS provider.
Today, let’s take a look at the process of choosing an MMS provider and lay out some of the essential considerations you’ll need to make along the way.
Before you get immersed in the selection process, let’s first clarify what Managed Mobility Services are and what they do. Simply put, an MMS provider specializes in managing the complete lifecycle of your organization’s mobile devices and any of the various services associated with your devices. That can cover a wide range of solutions covering services like:
With various services to choose from, a quality MMS provider can give your organization a wealth of expertise to lean on. This not only smoothes over your mobile operations but also enhances your productivity and efficiency with your internal teams and even reduces your overall costs.
Done right, MMS has a lot of benefits that can enhance your company’s relationship with mobile devices. However, it’s also important to acknowledge some of the common areas where less-skilled MMS providers show their weaknesses.
Some things to consider when choosing an MMS provider are what a particular provider can offer in terms of:
It’s crucial that any MMS provider you select is strong in all three areas and in a way that aligns with assisting you with your organization’s goals. Lacking in any of these areas should be a big red flag in your selection process.
Before exploring what to look for in an MMS provider, ensure you thoroughly understand your business’s needs and objectives. When you know what you want and need, it will be much easier to determine which MMS provider can deliver on your requirements.
What are your organization’s mobile device needs? What do you need from your mobile devices at this current point in your business, and how will your needs grow and change in the future?
Some questions you’ll want to ask yourself:
With a better idea of what your company needs from mobile devices, you can select a provider whose MMS solutions better meet those needs.
Take a deep look at the current assortment of mobile devices, data plans, and carrier agreements your company uses. Suppose an MMS provider can integrate with your current system neatly while offering seamless transitions to new systems, devices, or plans in the future. In that case, their partnership will likely lead to success for your mobility program.
When it comes to global operations or international expansion, part of how to choose an MMS service provider is understanding how a provider fits into your operations. You’ll need to make that consideration for every region where you currently do business or plan to.
A quality MMS provider can support your team in various regions with services as varied as policy enforcement, strategy, logistics, and expense management.
Your mobile device management program and where you need to improve will dictate a fair amount of what to look for in an MMS provider. Consider what the following aspects of your mobility program currently look like.
What pain points are you facing in how your business handles the device provisioning process? An MMS provider that can effectively automate and simplify how you go about device procurement, configuration, and deployment can be a major benefit. Partnering with this strategy can give your business considerable improvements in efficiency while significantly reducing administrative burdens.
MMS isn’t always the right answer for all employees. Have departments using devices for work but don’t quite need a company provided one? A bring your own device (BYOD) program might be the best approach. Finding a provider who delivers both can be a true game changer.
What does your current mobile device support model look like, and how well does it meet your current needs and expectations? An excellent MMS provider should have a reliable and accessible support program that addresses technical issues and other user concerns promptly.
How well do an MMS provider’s services and solutions align with your needs and requirements? When choosing an MMS provider, consider providers with an extensive suite of services that are well-poised to meet your particular needs. These needs include mobile device management, security, application management, expenses, or your company’s reporting capabilities.
Mobile devices and mobile data bring matters like security to the forefront. It’s essential that any MMS provider you choose places an emphasis on robust security measures to help protect your sensitive information. There are several things to consider when choosing an MMS provider, including encryption, device-level security, secure data transmission, and industry-specific regulation compliance like HIPAA and GDPR.
When an MMS provider’s platform is intuitive and user-friendly for end-users and administrators, it shows that the MMS provider prioritizes those benefits. When the MMS provider’s user and employee experiences are positive and seamless, it’s a great external indicator that other aspects of their operations are working correctly.
Though it should never be the only factor behind how you choose an MMS provider, the cost can be an important consideration. Making decisions based purely on price will be an inevitable race to the bottom in terms of quality. However, comparing the costs quoted by various MMS providers and comparing these to the overall value they can bring to your organization can help you get more bang for your buck.
As you evaluate an MMS provider, consider the total cost of ownership (TCO). TCO isn’t merely a measure of the service fees the MMS charges. It’s also the potential gains your company can see in savings, efficiency, and productivity when you partner with a quality MMS provider.
Positive client reviews are an excellent place to evaluate an MMS provider’s reputation and track record of success. Take a look at the various aspects of the service that reviewers mention to gain a better sense of the provider’s industry expertise, customer service, and the overall quality of their client relationships. Choosing an MMS provider with a strong reputation can set up a partnership that you can trust.
The foremost consideration when choosing an MMS provider is to be certain that your business objectives align with the services that they offer. Overall, it’s incredibly important to prioritize needs like scalability and flexibility, security and compliance, and the dynamic balance of cost to value.
As you carefully consider your next MMS provider, we encourage you to set your sights on Motus. As a leading provider of managed mobility services, Motus can provide your organization with various comprehensive mobile device management solutions. We focus specifically on exceptional value and top-notch customer service.
To learn more about Motus and how we can support your mobile device management needs, see how we can optimize your mobility today.