MDM and SMEs: Expensive - with, or without?

MUMBAI, INDIA: The Mumbai market has been witnessing a steady demand for Mobile Device Management. And Vishal Rally, Head-SME Operations, Mumbai, Tata Teleservices Ltd. maintains that this growth is just a tip of the iceberg waiting to be uncovered.

Rally has many new plans up his sleeve when it comes to supporting/facilitating SME’s and start-ups in Mumbai to adopt tech-enabled processes. What is leading him to harbor so much confidence in this new segment and why would this be a compelling model for SMEs that struggle with constraints of their own? Specially when MDM has its own new battles to fight and when big mobility brands are exploding with issues of a new connotation altogether. We unfold some not-so-small trends in this conversation with Mr. Rally.

Why is SME suddenly a segment to reckon with? Any examples that you can share?

SMEs are not what they were. They are not limited to manufacturing vertical and are expanding in all industry types. SMEs are now smart and aware about the need for a strategy refresh; they are looking at solutions to enable them to build a sustainable digital infrastructure. They are strongly embracing digital forces in their upscale strategies.

Our growth in Mumbai reflects that change. We have been providing young companies with nimble/cost-effective tech solutions like Mobile Device Management and are helping SMEs and start-ups chart a correct roadmap to realize the true potential of digital. Like the Dr Bond a e-Healthcare Management & Logistic System that recently tied up with Tata Teleservices for their Mobile device Management solution and LBS – Workforce Management Solution to protect and secure their business data on mobile devices.

What about budgetary and other limitations that SMEs naturally have at a certain stage?

The technology curve in mobility that is being taken in India has helped SMEs a lot. While traditional organization still spend huge amounts in updating IT solutions, SMEs don’t have to. Even for large enterprises, a lot of data has literally moved out of offices. Most SMEs have grabbed the opportunity to create a truly mobile workforce. SMEs can’t invest in multiple devices so one device has to essentially empower the employee to do everything. Our solutions around application management, policy control etc and the no-legacy ground have helped a lot for the growth that is happening.

How has MDM adapted to the fierce rise of heterogeneity in platforms? Mobility has changed so much - has MDM kept up?

The solution that we offer, has been made as simple and as operator-agnostic as possible. It works with BYOD and company-owned devices well. We have made it extremely simple and applicable across many options.

What do you make of the way Samsung and Apple have confronted some recent spurt in not-so-positive headlines?

B2B environments are safe and manageable. MDM solutions give similar security levels as a laptop. Any device without MDM is more vulnerable. MDM keeps a tab on the kind of connectivity and the possibility of breach too. Plus, there are remote swipes that can be enabled. MDM solutions are enabling enterprises to ensure security of company information and data accessed over smart phones and tablets by their employees

Can MDM evolve for the shift towards fog-computing and IoT at a good pace?

It’s all about handling and managing assets. This would move from a M2M to an umbrella technology with advanced tracking, location-based services coming together to create an intelligent structure. It has not happened completely yet but evolution is in progress.

How strong is privacy or HR-side perspective for MDM’s scope in controlling devices across the workforce?

A company-owned device, like a laptop, has its own control scope. BYOD enablement injects flexibility of two profiles. As of now, there are no such conflicts seen in the market as there is clear distinction of personal and professional activity.