The editors at Solutions Review highlight what’s changed since the last iteration of the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Unified Endpoint Management and provide an analysis of the new report.

Analyst house Gartner, Inc. recently released its 2021 Magic Quadrant for Unified Endpoint Management. This report looks at eight leading unified endpoint management providers: BlackBerry, Citrix, IBM, Ivanti, ManageEngine, Microsoft, MobileIron, and VMware.

Gartner defines unified endpoint management as “a tool that provides agent and agentless management of computers and mobile devices through a single console.” Gartner further defines modern UEM tools as providing a user-centric view of devices across device platforms; offering agent and/or agentless management through native Windows 10, macOS, Chrome OS, Apple iOS/iPad OS, and Google Android controls; aggregating telemetry and signal from identities, apps, connectivity and devices; aggregating and analyze technology performance and employee experience data; integrating with identity, security and remote-access tools to support zero-trust access and contextual authentication, vulnerability, policy, configuration, and data management; and managing nontraditional devices like Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wearables, and rugged handhelds.

In this Magic Quadrant, Gartner evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of eight providers that it considers most significant in the marketplace and provides readers with a graph (the Magic Quadrant) plotting the vendors based on their ability to execute and their completeness of vision. The graph is divided into four quadrants: niche players, challengers, visionaries, and leaders. At Solutions Review, we read the report, available here, and pulled out the key takeaways.

Leading the pack this year is Microsoft, which continues to perform strongly in the unified endpoint management space with its Intune solution. Gartner noted how the company adds new features and capabilities based on consumer demand at a rate that outpaces development resources. Microsoft has added cloud-based device management as well but offers its customers a “migrate-when-ready” approach to cloud management, given them more leverage for companies not yet ready to embrace fully modern management solutions.

VMware is the other leader in this year’s report, and Gartner notes that the company is the only vendor in the Magic Quadrant to offer a complete end-to-end unified endpoint management solution. This includes capabilities for device management, Single Sign-On (SSO), remote support, remote access, endpoint security, analytics, automation, and virtualization. Despite the sheer number of features, VMware maintains a simple yet flexible deployment that gives its users the ability to choose what features they want to install on their systems.

IBM occupies the sole spot in the Challenger quadrant this year, focusing on AI-enhanced unified endpoint management via IBM Security MaaS360. The solution takes advantage of IBM’s Watson technology to deliver analytics designed to help customers identify, prioritize, triage, and resolve security issues. Although it is currently only available as a SaaS solution, IBM MaaS360 continues to dominate the UEM market regarding its security feature set.

The only Visionary of the report, Ivanti has extended its client management capabilities by bolstering its position in the unified endpoint management sphere. Thanks to its recent acquisitions of MobileIron and Pulse Secure, Ivanti now has more resources dedicated to UEM solutions and services. The company is also investing beyond unified endpoint management, focusing on real-time discovery, performance analytics, automation and self-healing, patching, zero-trust security, and integration with IT service, asset, and cost management tools.

Niche Player ManageEngine’s Desktop Central UEM Edition delivers broad device management features with geographically diverse operations. The vendor has been adding endpoint detection and response (EDR) features to help strengthen its foothold on endpoint security. ManageEngine is also focusing on adding capabilities to its SaaS offering to align with on-premises and offering remote access and zero-trust capabilities.

Another Niche Player, BlackBerry, has attempted to switch its perception in the market as a device and hardware provider in favor of its current focus as a software solution vendor. BlackBerry drives security as a top priority, combining unified endpoint management and unified endpoint security into a single offering. With continued investments into its artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced endpoint security and workspace technology, BlackBerry is set to position itself as a top security-focused device management solution.

Matrix42 provides solutions and services for both endpoint management and security use cases through the Matrix42 Secure UEM product. The company recently completed several key acquisitions (EgoSecure, FastViewer, and Firescope) to help account for specialized UEM capabilities. The company also wants to extend its sales focus beyond the Austria, Germany, and Switzerland region by expanding its global reach, an area where Gartner notes the vendor is currently lacking.

Finally, Citrix delivers a digital workspace management suite that includes endpoint management capabilities alongside content collaboration and virtual applications and desktops. As it is not strictly a UEM provider, its long-term strategy encompasses a different niche than the other vendors in the report, emphasizing digital workspace security over strict device management. Gartner found that the majority of users purchase Citrix Endpoint Management strictly for UEM, instead choosing to use it alongside other solutions.

Read the Gartner 2021 Magic Quadrant for Unified Endpoint Management.

Looking for more info on the benefits of mobility management? You should check out our free Mobility Management Buyer’s Guide. We profile the top vendors in the mobility management field, list their key capabilities, and determine our Bottom Line for each.

Check us out on Twitter for the latest in Enterprise Mobility news and developments!

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According to a report recently released by NordVPN, 25 perfect of Internet of Things users aren’t protecting their devices. This information comes from the Your Smart Devices Are a Security Risk report, based on a survey of 7,000 IoT device users. The report showed how users are not taking the proper steps to secure their devices.

When NordVPN asked users what measures they take to secure their devices, 42 percent stated that they used an antivirus or VPN service while 36 percent and 33 percent changed default passwords on Wi-Fi routers and smart devices respectively. However, the critical statistic is that roughly 25 percent reported that they used no security measures whatsoever to protect their devices.

NordVPN also examined other areas where mobile device security is lacking. While around 30 percent of respondents in the 18 to 24-years-old demographic responded that they used a VPN service, only around 12 percent of those in the 65 years or older demographic said the same. This indicates a generational gap in device security knowledge and application, an area which security solution providers can seek to address.

In the report, NordVPN stated: “Connected devices present vulnerabilities from the home all the way up to smart cities. It is essential that greater emphasis be placed on the specific security and privacy issues and needs for the IoT. Researchers have been pushing this for years, and there are trustworthy manufacturers out there (though even well-known brands often have problems). Regulators have also been starting to catch up. But the IoT is still full of holes, and there is a lot of work to be done.”

Download your copy of the Your Smart Devices Are a Security Risk report here.

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Solutions Review’s annual Vendors to Know in Unified Endpoint Management provides the details on some of the most critical solution providers in the space.

The editors at Solutions Review continually research the most prominent and influential Unified Endpoint Management vendors to assist buyers in search of the tools befitting the needs of their organization. Choosing the right vendor and solution can be a complicated process; it requires constant market research and often comes down to more than just the solution and its technical capabilities. To make your search a little easier, we listed the vendors to know in Unified Endpoint Management.

Note: Companies are listed in alphabetical order.

Vendors to Know in Unified Endpoint Management, 2021

42Gears

42Gears is a unified endpoint management provider, offering the SureMDM solution to secure, monitor, and manage all business endpoints, including mobile devices. SureMDM offers device and app provisioning, OS configuration, remote wipe, and remote viewing. The tool provides app management, file synchronization and sharing, data security tools, and facilitates remote troubleshooting of technical issues. SureMDM also provides app management capabilities that help IT manage apps on enrolled devices. 42Gears also sells products for IoT management and AI features.

BlackBerry

BlackBerry UEM is a unified endpoint management tool that combines endpoint management and policy control for enterprise device and application fleets. The solution provides an integrated view of the users, devices, apps, and policies in a company’s infrastructure across all ownership models and types of users, including native container solutions like Kubernetes. BlackBerry UEM’s onboarding capabilities include zero-input activation using QR codes, support for Active Directory-linked groups, and Apple and Samsung Knox enrollment programs.

Citrix

Citrix Endpoint Management is a unified endpoint management tool that offers support for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows 10, Chrome OS, and Citrix Ready workspace hubs. The platform creates a workspace experience that secures and manages every endpoint through a unified console. Citrix Endpoint Management acts as a consolidated platform to manage diverse end-user deployment options, including BYOD, Office 365, and Windows 10. Citrix provides device configuration, data protection, and usage policy capabilities as well.

Codeproof

Codeproof Technologies Inc. is a workforce management and cybersecurity company providing solutions that enable organizations to secure, deploy, and manage corporate data on company-owned and BYOD devices. The company’s flagship offering is the cloud-based Codeproof UEM platform, which emphasizes ease of use and a wide range of features. The vendor’s UEM solution supports management of iOS, Android and Windows devices in a number of form factors, including smartphones, PCs, wearables, rugged devices, and IoT devices.

Hexnode

Hexnode’s unified endpoint management solution, Hexnode MDM, provides users with mobile and endpoint management capabilities designed with BYOD management in mind. Hexnode MDM is equipped with all standard unified endpoint management features, including management and provisioning tools, remote set up and configuration, application control and distribution, compliance checks, and remote lock and wipe. Additionally, Hexnode offers email, security, application, and content management for businesses.

IBM

IBM MaaS360 is an enterprise mobility management platform that provides an artificial intelligence and cloud-based approach to mobility management. By taking advantage of IBM’s Watson technology, IBM MaaS360 delivers AI-driven analytics and security insights on all devices and endpoints managed within the software. IBM MaaS360 lets admins enroll devices over the air; the product’s multi-OS mobile device management platform can manage Apple, Android, and Windows devices alongside rugged devices and IoT devices.

Ivanti

Ivanti Unified Endpoint Manager is a unified endpoint management product that formed from the vendor’s enterprise mobility management (formerly offered under the Landesk name) and client management tool. The Ivanti platform provides network-connected device discovery, automated software delivery, login performance features, and IT solution integration. Ivanti UEM implements several capabilities from its Endpoint Manager, including OS provisioning, automatic alerts, and agent and agentless device support.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine Desktop Central is a unified endpoint management solution that takes care of enterprise mobility management, including all features of mobile application management and mobile device management. The tool also provides client management for a diversified range of endpoints — mobile devices, laptops, computers, tablets, server machines, etc. With ManageEngine Desktop Central, users can automate their regular desktop management routines like distributing software, installing patches, managing IT assets, and imaging and deploying OSes.

Microsoft

Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security is an intelligent mobility management and security platform. The solution combines unified endpoint management with identity and access management, threat protection, information protection, and a cloud access security broker. Microsoft’s enterprise tools and technologies can help IT administrators maintain security across all device types, regardless of whether the devices are corporate or personal assets, and establish security measures that protect their organizations’ systems, data, and networks.

Miradore

Miradore provides cloud-based solutions for managing IT and mobile devices. Miradore combines mobile device management, enterprise mobility management, and unified endpoint management features. With Miradore, IT Service Providers and IT departments can secure and control IT devices while reducing costs and creating value-added IT automation. The vendor provides organizations with a single dashboard view and remote access for a range of end user devices, including those running Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

MobileIron

MobileIron UEM is a unified endpoint management solution that places mobile security as its key focus. The platform is built on MobileIron’s mobile-centric, zero-trust enterprise security framework, which emphasizes authentication and perimeter-less mobile security. This allows administrators to take advantage of security and access management features like zero sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and mobile threat detection. In addition to UEM, MobileIron also offers BYOD security, mobile data protection, and cloud access security solutions.

Sophos

Sophos Mobile is a unified endpoint management solution that helps administrators secure both traditional and mobile endpoints. The tool integrates natively with next-generation endpoint security programs and supports the management of Windows 10, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. Companies can deploy Sophos Mobile on-premise or manage the solution through Sophos Central. Sophos’ self-service portal also allows users to enroll their device, reset passwords, and receive support which enables an independent BYOD policy.

VMware Airwatch

VMware AirWatch Workspace ONE is a mobility management tool that providers end-users and administrators with a digital workspace. Workspace ONE gives mobility professionals the flexibility to manage multiple use cases, including unified endpoint management, end-to-end security from devices to data center, and integration across enterprise systems. The administrator console delivers visibility into all enrolled corporate-owned, employee-owned, and shared devices, regardless of platform, device type, or operating system.

Looking for more info on the benefits of mobility management? You should check out our free Mobility Management Buyer’s Guide. We profile the top vendors in the mobility management field, list their key capabilities, and determine our Bottom Line for each.

Check us out on Twitter for the latest in Enterprise Mobility news and developments!

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According to a report recently released by Verizon Business, 60 percent of companies state that mobile devices are the biggest security risk. This information comes from the 2021 Mobile Security Index report, which surveyed 856 IT professionals responsible for the procurement, management, or security of mobile devices. The report revealed how mobile device security continues to be a serious problem for companies.

Verizon Business found that 60 percent of businesses say that mobile devices are the biggest security risk for companies. Part of the problem is that companies are sacrificing mobile security. 76 percent stated that they were pressured to sacrifice the security of their mobile devices in order to increase expediency.

78 percent also noted that they expect remote work to remain high even when COVID-19 is over. The report also showed how the cloud continues to climb in importance for enterprises. Respondents stated that nearly half (46%) of their IT workloads are running in the cloud.

In the company’s press release, Verizon Business’s Chief Revenue Officer Sampath Sowmyanarayan stated: “The pandemic caused a global shift in the way organizations operate, many of which ramped up their digital transformation agendas and working models to meet the fast-changing needs of both employees and customers. While businesses focused their efforts elsewhere, cyber-criminals saw a wealth of new opportunities to strike. With the rise of the remote workforce and the spike in mobile device usage, the threat landscape changed, which for organizations, means there is a greater need to hone in on mobile security to protect themselves and those they serve.”

View the 2021 Mobile Security Index report here.

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According to a report recently released by Ericsson, consumers want more innovation in 5G networks via mobile applications and device features. This information comes from the Five Ways to a Better 5G report, which surveyed over 30,000 5G consumers across the globe on their 5G experience. The survey revealed where customers are satisfied with their 5G coverage and where they believe it can be improved.

In most geographical areas covered by the report, users found more satisfaction with 5G than they did with 4G/LTE networks. With South Korea as an exception, more respondents answered that they were happy with their 5G networks than with their 4G coverage. For the United States, for example, around 45 percent answered that they were very satisfied with their 4G network versus around 57 percent saying the same for their 5G network.

However, while 5G network satisfaction is consistently ranked fairly high, especially for the early stages of 5G, some misgivings remain. Indoor 5G coverage isn’t rated as highly as it should be, especially as lockdowns forced users to work from home. 70 percent of respondents also state that they are dissatisfied with the availability of innovative 5G services.

In the company’s press release, Ericsson Research’s Head of ConsumerLab Jasmeet Singh Sethi stated: “So far, analyses of 5G network experiences have mostly focused on 5G speeds and availability based on independent network measurements. But it is equally important to understand how 5G early adopters perceive that experience. With Ericsson ConsumerLab’s five recommendations and insights, CSPs can encourage 5G adoption and meet consumer expectations.”

Download your copy of the report Five Ways to a Better 5G report here.

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VMware is launching Anywhere Workspace as a new remote work mobility solution, according to a press release on the company’s website. The new solution combines three of VMware’s existing solutions; VMware Workspace One, VMware Carbon Black, and VMware SASE. VMware is adding unique integration points between these three solutions, with more integrations promised for the future. Anywhere Workspace helps VMware clients deliver better experiences to employees no matter where they are.

VMware empowers end-users with a digital workspace for all mobility needs. Their solutions give IT admins a mobility platform that provides flexibility to manage multiple use cases, unified endpoint management, end-to-end security from devices to the data center, and integration across enterprise systems. The admin console gives visibility into all enrolled corporate-owned, employee-owned, and shared devices, regardless of their platform or device type.

Anywhere Workspace grants companies the ability to deliver a great user experience and consistent performance on any device from any location. Users can also secure the distributed edge with broader and more effective security capabilities. Anywhere Workspace also features automation to allows for intelligent management of workflows, compliance, and performance.

In the company’s press release, VMware’s Chief Operating Officer, Customer Operations Sanjay Poonen stated: “Work is what you do, not where you do it. As businesses reimagine where and how teams collaborate and innovate, they must do more than transform. They must reform their mindset to create a digital-first culture that puts employee experience first. We developed VMware Anywhere Workspace with this new way of working in mind. It will play an important role in creating stronger, more focused, and more resilient businesses.”

Learn more about VMware Anywhere Workspace here.

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According to a survey conducted by Deloitte, the majority of network executives regard 5G and Wi-Fi 6 as critical technologies. This information comes from the Accelerating Enterprise Innovation and Transformation with 5G and Wi-Fi 6 report, which surveyed 437 networking executives on plans to adopt 5G and Wi-Fi 6. Deloitte found that the majority of executives are looking to the future of networking technology to deliver crucial business revenue.

Deloitte asked survey respondents about the network technologies they consider critical for business initiatives. 69 percent of survey-takers said that they consider 5G an essential networking technology today, with 76 percent considering it important within three years. For Wi-Fi 6, 58 percent and 65 percent of respondents said the same for the present and in three years, respectively.

Half of networking executives expect that their investments will be boosted due to the pandemic. 35 percent believe that they will invest “somewhat more” while 15 percent say they will invest “significantly more.” The chief reason behind the increase in wireless spending, with 59 percent of respondents answering it as a top-three reason, is to increase their ability to address current and future business disruptions.

In the company’s press release, Deloitte Consulting LLP’s principal Jack Fritz stated: “While innovation and digital transformation are desired business outcomes of advanced wireless networking adoption, there are also tremendous advantages for the people running the business – the employees, customers, and partners. The Deloitte survey found adopters are using 5G and Wi-Fi 6 both inside and outside the office for a variety of reasons, but the enhancement of workplace communication, collaboration, and productivity is particularly timely and relevant since connectivity is crucial for remote work and business continuity during a crisis like the current pandemic.”

Download your copy of the Accelerating Enterprise Innovation and Transformation with 5G and Wi-Fi 6 report here.

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AT&T is adding fixed 5G solutions to its business-focused broadband network, according to a press release on PR Newswire. These additions include new fixed wireless router options from Sierra Wireless and Cradlepoint which enable 5G support for business customers. The vendor will deliver 5G capabilities to AT&T Wireless Broadband beginning in April.

AT&T’s 5G network currently covers 230 million Americans in 14,000 cities and towns, and AT&T 5G+ services parts of 38 cities in the United States. The company’s total investment in the United States between 2016 and 2020, including capital investment and acquisitions of spectrum and wireless operations vendors, was more than $105 billion.

Customers can use AT&T Wireless Broadband with 5G as a primary connection, a secondary connection to enhance reliability, to set up a temporary work site, or even to deliver highly secure connectivity needs for work-from-home employees independent of their home broadband connection. When combined with the different AT&T Wireless Broadband plans, clients can create a customized plan that incorporates the top features of 5G.

In the company’s official press release, AT&T Business’ Chief Product and Platform Officer Mo Katibeh stated: “It is now almost a full year since the global pandemic accelerated remote work adoption by almost a decade – and throughout the rapid evolution of related business needs, AT&T has been there to enable continued success. And today, we’re excited to build on the first, true nationwide business-focused broadband network with fixed wireless 5G connectivity. It’s the ideal solution for businesses to continue to innovate, serve their customers and enable employees to efficiently and effectively work – even when they can’t walk down the hall to someone else’s office.”

Learn more about AT&T Wireless Broadband with 5G here.

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According to a study recently released by TRUCE Software, the majority of employees believe that mobile devices play a key role in work productivity. This information comes from the My Life. My Work. My Phone. report, which surveyed 1,500 workers on mobile devices in the workforce. The study revealed how from the employee’s perspective, mobile devices can boost productivity and that workers have a right to use mobile devices at work.

TRUCE asked survey takers if they agreed that “Mobile phones or tablets play a key role in helping me be productive at work.” 62 percent of those surveyed agreed with the statement, while 38 percent disagreed. Additionally, 36 percent stated that their mobile device usage at work had increased over the past year.

Despite the increased usage in mobile devices and work, 44 percent of respondents said that while they are now always connected to work via their phones and tablets, they are able to separate their work from their personal life. When asked whether or not they felt it was their right to use personal mobile devices at work, 56 percent answered yes. This suggests a shift in how employees view mobile device usage in the corporate world, and this should be taken into account when designing a mobile device strategy for your business.

In the company’s press release on the report, TRUCE’s CEO Joy Boyle stated: “At TRUCE, we believe mobility technology plays a critical role in helping workers feel more connected and productive. And while the question of whether it’s an employees’ right to use their personal device on the job boils down to a business’ own mobile device policy, we know there’s a safe way to keep devices in the hands of employees while also enforcing appropriate use.”

Download your copy of the My Life. My Work. My Phone. report here.

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Solutions Review today is releasing its new 2021 Buyer’s Guide for Mobility Management to assist organizations during the research and discovery phase of buying business software. Gathered via a meta-analysis of available online materials, Solutions Review editors compile each Buyer’s Guide via research, analyst reports, conversations with subject matter experts and vendor representatives, and the examination of product demonstrations.

Top vendors highlighted include: 42Gears, Amtel, BlackBerry, Broadcom, Centrify, Citrix, Codeproof, FileWave, Hexnode, Hypori, IBM MaaS360, Ivanti, ManageEngine, Microsoft, Miradore, MobileIron, Scalefusion, Sophos, SOTI, Symantec, and VMware AirWatch.

View and download the 2021 Buyer’s Guide for Mobility Management here.

Solutions Review is a collection of business software news and resource sites that aggregates, curates, and creates the leading content to connect buyers and sellers. Over the past seven years, Solutions Review has launched 20 distinct and category-specific Buyer’s Guide sites for technologies ranging from Enterprise Cloud to Data Integration, as well as Enterprise Resource Management, Identity and Access Management, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, Network Monitoring, Backup and Recovery, and Endpoint Security.

Solutions Review just completed its second annual series of Insight Jam social media days. Heralded by the Sam Whitmore Media Survey as a “fresh idea” in B2B publishing, Insight Jam is a collection of single-day virtual conferences aimed at providing business software buyers and practitioners with advice, best practices, and trends to be aware of for the future. Insight Jam is a part of Solutions Review’s Best Practices Series and is dedicated to specific technology categories to bring the community together.

In addition to the 2021 Buyer’s Guide for Mobility Management, readers are encouraged to view updated research in other related Solutions Review coverage areas:

• Buyer’s Guide for Cloud Managed Service Providers
• Cloud Managed Service Vendor Comparison Map
• Buyer’s Guide for Network Monitoring Vendors

*Solutions Review is a completely vendor-agnostic resource and does not endorse any individual product or service.

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