Internal IT teams face an ongoing challenge of balancing innovation with operational demands. A recent Foundry survey showed that 75% of CIOs struggle to drive innovation while managing critical tasks like security, patching, and IT performance. These essential responsibilities often consume the resources needed for strategic projects, leaving IT teams stretched thin.
Mobile device management (MDM) is a prime example of this burden. With spending on mobile devices in the US hitting $732 billion in 2024, and teams more dispersed than ever, managing these device fleets has become increasingly complex and time-consuming. This creates a significant strain on already overburdened IT teams.
Outsourcing MDM is a solution. This article explores the challenges in-house IT teams face with mobile device management and how MDM as a Service can ease the administrative load, allowing teams to focus on higher-priority wor
Key Takeaways
- MDM as a Service shifts mobile device management from an internal IT burden to a subscription-based model where third-party providers handle provisioning, security updates, monitoring, and support.
- In-house IT teams struggle with managing diverse device fleets that now include rugged handhelds, IoT sensors, AR headsets, and edge computing hardware alongside traditional smartphones and tablets.
- Missed security patches on mobile devices can trigger compliance violations under Canadian regulations like PIPEDA, PHIPA, and Quebec’s Law 25, increasing breach risk and regulatory exposure.
- Outsourcing MDM reduces administrative burden, improves device uptime through proactive monitoring, and allows IT teams to focus on strategic projects rather than routine device troubleshooting.
What Is MDM as a Service?
MDM as a Service is a subscription-based model where a third-party provider manages your entire mobile device fleet—from initial staging through ongoing security updates and end-of-life disposition. Instead of your IT team handling device provisioning, patching, and troubleshooting internally, an MDM partner assumes operational responsibility for devices like Zebra scanners, Honeywell handhelds, iOS and Android smartphones, and ruggedized tablets.
A typical MDM as a Service engagement includes:
- Device setup and staging: Pre-configuring devices with apps, security policies, and network settings before they reach end users
- Configuration management: Deploying and maintaining device profiles via platforms like SOTI MobiControl or 42Gears
- Security enforcement: Applying encryption, MFA, remote wipe capabilities, and compliance policies
- Real-time monitoring: Tracking device health, connectivity, and usage across your fleet
- Ongoing support: Providing help desk services and break-fix coordination for end users
This model shifts MDM from an internal operational burden to a managed service, freeing your IT team for strategic work.
The Challenges of Handling Mobile Device Management (MDM) In-House
Mobile device deployment across remote and hybrid workforces continues to grow in both spend and device count. The complexity of these devices is also accelerating—fleets now include IoT sensors, AR-enabled headsets, edge computing hardware, and ruggedized handhelds alongside traditional smartphones and tablets.
This expanding device mix creates security and operational risks that strain in-house IT teams. Below are the key challenges that arise from managing this complexity internally.
Time-Consuming Device Setup and Configuration
Setting up and configuring mobile devices consumes significant IT resources—especially when each device must meet specific security protocols, connect to enterprise systems, and comply with organizational standards. That burden multiplies with every new employee and every device they carry.
Consider a distribution centre deploying 200 Zebra TC52 handhelds: each device requires Wi-Fi configuration, MDM enrollment, app installation, barcode scanner settings, and security policy application. Manual provisioning at this scale quickly overwhelms internal IT capacity.
Managing Diverse Devices and Operating Systems
In-house IT teams manage a mix of standard and specialized mobile devices. Each device type has distinct operating systems, security requirements, and management configurations—making consistent oversight difficult at scale.
| Industry | Typical Device Mix |
|---|---|
| Retail | POS terminals, handheld scanners, tablets, employee smartphones |
| Transportation & Logistics | Rugged handhelds, vehicle-mounted computers, driver tablets, IoT sensors |
| Healthcare | Clinical tablets, nurse call devices, asset tracking tags, shared workstations |
| Field Services | Ruggedized smartphones, AR headsets, IoT diagnostic tools, laptops |
Ensuring every device stays configured, updated, and secure becomes exponentially harder as your fleet diversifies.
Keeping Up With Frequent Security Updates and Patches
Mobile devices require regular security updatesand patches to prevent vulnerabilities that lead to data breaches. In-house IT teams must monitor and deploy these updates across every device in real time—a process that’s time-consuming and prone to oversight.
For Canadian organizations, missed patches can trigger compliance issues under PIPEDA, PHIPA, or Quebec’s Law 25. As fleet complexity grows, so does breach risk and regulatory exposure.
Lack of Real-Time Monitoring and Issue Resolution
Smaller in-house IT teams often lack the capacityto continuously monitor device performance, usage, and security posture. Real-time monitoring requires specialized tooling—like SOTI’s analytics dashboards or 42Gears’ SureMDM—that must be configured, maintained, and staffed.
Without this visibility, teams miss critical events: a warehouse scanner dropping offline during peak shift, a field technician’s device failing encryption checks, or a firmware vulnerability going unpatched. Each gap risks operational disruption or data exposure.
Increased IT Support Tickets
More devices mean more support requests. In-house teams become the sole source of help for every mobile issue across the organization—and ticket volume compounds as fleet complexity grows.
Common ticket types include:
- Device connectivity and Wi-Fi troubleshooting
- App installation and update failures
- Password resets and MDM enrollment issues
- Hardware malfunctions requiring RMA coordination
- Security incidents requiring remote wipe or lockdown
Each ticket pulls IT resources away from strategic initiatives.
Lack of Scalability as the Business Grows
Of course, as your business grows, you add more employees and devices. Managing that expanding fleet, as a result, becomes even more challenging and resource-intensive. In these cases, you have two options: either scale your in-house IT resources or outsource some or all of that management to a third-party.
5 Key Benefits of MDM as a Service for In-House IT Teams
The benefits of MDM as a Service range from freeing up internal IT resources to improving the overall performance and stability of your mobile device fleet.
Here are five benefits of MDM as a Service to consider:
Reduces Administrative Burden
MDM as a Service takes over the daily management of mobile devices, including provisioning, updates, and troubleshooting. This frees up IT teams from time-consuming tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-priority projects like network optimization and security initiatives.
Enhances Scalability and Flexibility
As businesses grow, this service scales to manage additional devices without increasing the workload on IT teams. This flexibility is crucial for fast-growing companies needing to onboard new employees or deploy devices across multiple locations without disrupting operations.
Improves Device Uptime and Productivity
MDM as a Service ensures devices are continuously monitored for performance issues, addressing problems before they cause downtime. This proactive approach keeps devices functional, allowing employees to remain productive, and minimizing operational disruptions.
Strengthens Security and Risk Management
Outsourcing to a reputable MDM provider ensures your fleet stays secure without burdening internal IT. Providers enforce security protocols as part of their SLAs—delivering timely updates as a default operating standard, not an afterthought.
Typical security capabilities include:
- Encryption enforcement: Data-at-rest and data-in-transit protection across all devices
- Multi-factor authentication: Preventing unauthorized device access
- Remote wipe and lock: Securing lost or stolen devices within minutes
- Compliance policy enforcement: Automated checks for PIPEDA, PHIPA, and Law 25 requirements
This reduces breach risk and protects your organization from legal and financial exposure.
Ensures Compliance and Simplifies Reporting
For industries that must adhere to strict regulations, MDM as a Service automates compliance by enforcing security policies and tracking device usage. It generates audit-ready reports, alleviating the burden on IT teams and providing peace of mind that regulatory standards are consistently met.
Like all “as-a-service” offerings, MDM as a Service also, by definition, stays current with best practices in this operational field. This means that your organization will always have access to the latest and most advanced fleet management and security technology, without having to spend money and IT resources on upgrading your systems manually.
How PiiComm’s MDM as a Service Offering Reduces IT Burden
PiiCommis Canada’s largest pure-play managed mobility provider. Our MDM as a Service offering gives your organization a fully managed solution that removes mobile device administration from your IT team’s plate entirely.
With PiiComm, you offload:
- Device provisioning and staging: We configure devices before they ship to your sites
- Security updates and patching: Proactive deployment across your entire fleet
- Real-time monitoring: 24/7 visibility into device health and compliance status
- Help desk support: Direct end-user support so tickets bypass your IT team
- Carrier and OEM coordination: We manage Rogers, Telus, and Bell contracts plus warranty claims with Zebra, Honeywell, and Samsung
Thisremoves ongoing MDM responsibility from your IT teamwhile ensuring your fleet ismanaged and secured by a specialist providerwith Canadian compliance expertise.
Interested in learning more about PiiComm’s MDM as a Service offering? Read more now or contact us today to chat about your options.
Frequently asked questions
What is rugged device management?
Rugged device management is the process of remotely managing, monitoring, and securing rugged mobile devices used across field teams, warehouses, stores, clinics, and job sites. It ensures these devices function reliably, stay secure, and align with company policies, no matter where they are deployed.
What does “rugged device” mean?
A rugged device is a mobile device built to withstand harsh environments—including extreme temperatures, drops, water exposure, and dust. Examples include Zebra TC52 handhelds, Honeywell scanners, and vehicle-mounted computers used in warehouses, construction sites, and field operations.
What are the main challenges of mobile device management?
The main challenges include time-consuming device setup, managing diverse operating systems, keeping up with security patches, lack of real-time monitoring, high support ticket volume, and difficulty scaling as the fleet grows. Each challenge compounds as device complexity and fleet size increase.
What type of issues can arise from using personal devices in the workplace?
Personal devices accessing work information create security risks: employees may lose phones, forget to encrypt work emails, or connect to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Risk persists even after termination if device access isn’t properly revoked.
