In today’s mobile-centered work environment, it’s more than ever crucial for businesses to have a way to manage their employee’s mobile devices. Google Workspace, formerly G Suite, offers plenty of device management options allowing companies to keep their data secure and employees more productive. 

Here’s what you need to know about basic and advanced mobile device management for Google Workspace, the difference between BMDM and AMDM, and how to get started with mobile device management.

What is Workspace MDM?

Google Workspace Mobile device management (MDM) is a set of security features allowing administrators to control and secure the registered mobile devices used to access Google Workspace applications and data. Google Workspace MDM can be used for a variety of functions, such as

✓ Set mobile password requirements for managed mobile devices; this feature helps to protect sensitive companies’ data and unauthorized access. 

✓ Remotely Wipe registered users’ account details, all work data, and apps from devices. This feature is handy if a mobile is stolen or lost. 

✓ Manage or restrict app access for Android devices. This feature allows administrators to approve or block applications installed on Android devices. 

✓ Needs admin approval to access workspace apps. This feature restricts users who only have access to apps and data on the device once the admin has approved it. 

✓ Google Workspace offers two different levels of MDM features: Basic Mobile Management and Advanced Mobile Management.

Google Workspace MDM’s

i) Basic Mobile Management

Google Workspace has basic mobile management features that are turned on by default. These basic features allow you to: Require users to enroll their mobile devices in MDM before they can access their workspace accounts. Set security policies for devices, such as security PIN or encryption. Wipe devices, apps, and work data remotely if lost or stolen. 

ii) Advanced Mobile Management

Google Workspace offers some advanced device management features. This advanced feature allows you to restrict users’ access to certain apps and websites, block users from accessing unknown networks, and track registered user’s device location. Wipe devices remotely if stolen or lost.

COPE and BYOD Devices

Google Workspace allows you to manage devices your organization purchases and provides to employees (COPE) and employees’ personal devices (BYOD). 

✓ For COPE, businesses can configure device settings, deploy apps and updates, track device updates, and remote wipe if lost or stolen. 

✓ For BYOD, you can allow users to enroll their devices in MDM. Set security policy for devices (PIN and encryption) and remote wipe.

Benefits of Workspace MDM

Managing COPE and BYOD devices in Google Workspace has many benefits. These benefits include

✓ Increased Security: Device management can help protect your company’s data from unauthorized access. You can prevent data breaches by setting security policies (PIN and Encryption) and enrolling in MDM. 

✓ Improved Productivity: Google Workspace’s MDM can help your employees’ productivity by making it easier to access their work documents from any device. You can also set MDM to deploy apps and updates to keep your employee’s devices secured and up-to-date.

Reduced IT Expenses: Device Management can help you reduce IT costs by streamlining device management. You can use device management to automate specific tasks and updates, effectively free the IT team and let them focus on their other jobs.

Basic Vs Advanced MDM

Both are Google Workspace MDM features to control the added devices for protection. The significant difference between primary and advanced MDM is control and device requirements.

		Basic MDM	Advanced MDM
Features	Passcode	Set screen lockSet password	Set password & confine password length Reset password periodically
	App management	Whitelist for Android apps	Whitelist for Android apps and iOS apps Control installation permission
	Rules settings	Default rules provided by Google Workspace	Set up restrictions, such as device approvals, camera usage, data encryption
	Remote wipe	Wipe user accounts	Wipe all work data and apps from devices
Device	Requirements	Android 2.2 and laterApple iOS 8 and lateriPad OS 13.1 and later	Android 6.0 or support work profiles and fully managed mode iOS 12.0 and lateriPad OS 13.1 and later

Getting Started with MDM

To get started with Google Workspace Device Management, you’ll need to; 

✓ Signing into Google Admin Console

✓ Click Devices in Google Admin Console

✓ Click Set up device management.

✓ Follow Google’s instructions to set up device management for your company.

✓ After set-up device management, you can configure device settings.

Most companies providing company-owned devices to employees prefer advanced device management. Companies requiring more control may choose some custom device management settings. But organizations that let people use their devices might choose essential device management. This gives the organization complete control over data while the phone owner controls everything else on the device. 

As a final observation

Mobile device Management is essential to any organization’s security and increasing productivity. Google Workspace offers a complete set of device management features that allow companies to keep their data 100% secure and their employees more productive. If you are looking for a way to manage your devices in Google Workspace, I encourage you to contact Now Digital Easy.