Managing employee devices becomes a significant time suck and security risk as your small business grows.
Mobile device management (MDM) software optimizes and automates device management, letting you remotely track, update and wipe devices as needed.
In this article, you’ll discover five top MDM management tools and the seven features to consider when picking a solution. You’ll also learn how your CRM can track devices if you’re not ready to purchase dedicated software.
Key takeaways from MDM management software
MDM software lets small businesses remotely manage, secure and monitor employee devices.
The right MDM tool reduces manual IT work by automating app updates, policy enforcement and onboarding, so your team can focus on high-value tasks.
Choosing the right tool comes down to your budget, operating systems and goals.
SMBs that want a simple, budget-friendly alternative to MDM software can use a CRM like Pipedrive to track devices. Try it free for 14 days.
Why small businesses need MDM management software
MDM software manages, monitors and secures employee devices like smartphones and tablets.
For small businesses without a dedicated IT team, MDM software removes the burden of manual device management. It’s cloud-based, requires no technical expertise and gives founders and office managers full control over every device in their fleet.
Rather than spending hours manually setting up each device, installing apps and configuring security settings, MDM software handles it all remotely.
Here are some key tasks the software takes care of for SMBs:
Taking inventory of every device. MDM software creates a digital catalog of every device in your network, including its model, OS version, assigned user and compliance status.
Enforcing security policies. Rather than relying on employees to set strong passwords or enable encryption themselves, MDM software enforces these policies automatically.
Deploying and managing apps remotely. The software lets you push apps to devices, ensure everyone’s running the same version and remove them when employees leave.
Controlling network access. MDM software controls which devices can connect to your company Wi-Fi, VPN and internal tools, so a lost device can’t become a gateway into your systems.
Remotely locking or wiping devices. If a device goes missing, you can use MDM software to lock or erase it within minutes.
MDM software is vital in many industries. Retailers use it to manage customer-facing kiosk devices, restricting them to specific apps. Field service businesses use it to track device locations and provide remote tech support.
It’s especially important in remote and hybrid working environments with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies.
Gallup research shows that over half of employees who can work remotely are currently working in hybrid environments. Only 21% are exclusively on-site.
More mobile devices mean more potential entry points for security threats and a greater chance of something going wrong. The right MDM software gives small businesses the visibility and control to stay ahead of both.
5 best business MDM software tools
MDM management software comes in different shapes and sizes.
Some cater to specific operating systems, while others have broader enterprise mobility management functionality.
Here are reviews of five leading MDM tools, along with advice on the types of business they suit best.
1. Scalefusion: best all-round solution
Scalefusion is a unified endpoint management (UEM) solution that lets you manage all your devices from a single dashboard.
Scalefusion is OS-agnostic, meaning it can update and wipe Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux devices, including PCs, desktops and IoT devices. This broad ability makes the software a suitable choice for small businesses that care more about a device’s price than its operating system.
The interface is clean and intuitive, allowing non-technical users to push apps to different devices and enforce security policies. Reviewers also report that customer support resolves issues quickly when they occur.
Other features include:
Lock, wipe, track and view devices remotely using Scalefusion’s dashboard
Create a secure experience by enforcing single sign-on policies
Restrict devices to a single app or a set of approved apps for retail, logistics and other purposes
What users are saying:
“Scalefusion makes mobile device management incredibly easy to implement and scale. The dashboard is clean, intuitive, and gives us full control over our Android and Windows devices across multiple locations. We especially love the remote cast and control features – it makes supporting field teams much faster. Their customer support is also top-notch: fast, friendly and knowledgeable.” – G2 user
Who Scalefusion is best for: Small businesses with a mixed OS environment that want a cost-effective and feature-rich platform without enterprise-level complexity.
2. Rippling: best all-in-one workforce management tool
Rippling is a SaaS-based workforce management system that combines HR, payroll, IT and finance in one platform.
Rippling is ideal for medium-sized businesses looking for one platform to manage everything employee-related in one place.
The software’s integrated nature lets you consolidate and automate many parts of the personnel management process, from onboarding to offboarding. For example, the platform comes with pre-built workflow templates, such as automated reminders to ship devices to new hires and alerts when devices haven’t checked in.
Other features include:
Zero-touch deployment that means device enrollment and configuration happen automatically without IT intervention when an end-user signs in
Role-based policy automation, which adapts security policies based on an employee’s role, department and location
Real-time dashboards that track performance, security and app provisioning across every device
What users are saying:
“What I like best about Rippling is how seamlessly everything connects. HR, payroll, benefits, time tracking – even device and app management – are all in one place. It feels like a true all-in-one system, which saves a ton of time and reduces errors.” – G2 user
Who Rippling is best for: Growing companies with more advanced employee needs that want to connect HR, payroll and IT.
Note: Rippling integrates with Pipedrive, allowing you to automate employee-related tasks. When you hire a new salesperson, for example, Rippling will automatically create their Pipedrive account. When you offboard them, Rippling will close their account, too.
3. AirDroid Business: best for Android users
AirDroid Business is an on-premises and cloud-based device management solution built specifically for Android, Chrome OS and Windows devices.
The software is particularly good at managing devices in bulk. Business owners and office managers can deploy several devices at once, install new apps in a couple of clicks and distribute new files from a central repository.
Note that AirDroid Business has different capabilities depending on the operating system. For example, you can’t automate workflows on Windows devices and you can’t remotely patch Android devices.
Other features include:
Kiosk mode that lets you lock devices to specific apps or websites
Real-time monitoring of device status with automated alerts for potential issues
Advanced endpoint security features like encryption, remote wipe and passcode management to protect devices
What users are saying:
“The remote device management capabilities are by far the highlight. Being able to monitor, access, and troubleshoot our devices from anywhere has drastically reduced the need for on-site IT intervention. The connection is stable and responsive, and the dashboard makes managing multiple devices straightforward.” – G2 user
Who AirDroid is best for: Businesses running a large number of Android or Windows devices that want to streamline device management.
4. LogMeIn Miradore: best freemium tool
LogMeIn Miradore is a freemium MDM platform with multi-platform support that’s ideal for small businesses with a limited number of devices.
The IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Software for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses named Miradore a leader, thanks to its strong free offering.
You can manage up to 50 devices for free with access to a wide range of features, including warranty tracking, remote management, storage encryption and patch management.
If you want the full range of features or need to add more devices, pricing starts from $2.75 per device per month.
Other features include:
Automation capabilities that let you configure devices faster
Location tracking for Android and Apple devices that reduces the number of lost devices
Profile restrictions that limit the use of certain apps, content and device features
What users are saying:
“I love that Miradore is straightforward and easy to use. It allowed me to manage my fleet of 50 iPads for my nonprofit organization much more easily rather than having to touch each one. I really enjoy some of the features such as location and lost mode that allows me to lock the iPad and display a message to whoever finds it to deliver it back to me.” – G2 user
Who LogMeIn Miradore is best for: Budget-conscious small businesses that need solid cross-platform MDM without committing to a paid subscription from day one.
5. Microsoft Intune: best for Microsoft users
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management platform that integrates natively with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Intune is the natural choice for businesses already running Teams, Outlook, Azure and other Microsoft tools, as it lets you manage permissions with very little technical work. You can still use Intune to manage iOS and Android devices.
Managing devices is even simpler with the Copilot integration that identifies vulnerability risks and recommends best practices. You can also query Copilot about your company’s devices and use it to troubleshoot technical issues.
Other features include:
Zero-trust capabilities that continually verify device compliance
Privilege controls that let you configure access management based on an employee’s job role
Detailed analytics that let you track device health, performance and location at a glance
What users are saying:
“Microsoft Intune Enterprise Application Management makes application deployment and lifecycle management very smooth and effective. The best part is its centralized management and cloud-based control, which allows me to deploy, update, and retire applications across all devices without any manual intervention. I also like how seamlessly it integrates with M365, Azure Active Directory, and Defender, providing complete visibility into user activity.” – G2 user
Who Microsoft Intune is best for: Small businesses already using Microsoft 365 or Windows devices.
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7 features to look for in MDM software
The right MDM solution will be different for every business.
While a 10-person marketing agency may need a simple, cost-effective solution, a fast-growing software company is likely to need something more advanced.
Find the right tool for your small business by focusing on these seven features.
1. Ease of use | Prioritize platforms with a clean interface and minimal onboarding time. Simplicity is especially important if founders and office managers use the technology rather than IT teams. |
2. OS platform support | Check which operating systems the tool supports before committing. Android-only platforms won’t work if you use iPhones. Future-proof your decision by opting for a multi-platform solution. |
3. Security and compliance | Look for the ability to remotely wipe, lock and encrypt devices in the event of theft to keep sensitive data secure. Features like single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA) also keep devices secure. You may need to check for HIPAA or GDPR compliance if you work in a regulated industry like healthcare. |
4. Remote management capabilities | Streamline device management by choosing a tool that supports remote access. As well as being able to remotely wipe a device, look for the ability to push app updates and OS patches without employees having to hand them in. |
5. Integrations | Find MDM software that connects with the tools you already use, whether that’s a CRM like Pipedrive or a productivity suite like Microsoft 365. Native integrations reduce manual data entry and ensure device policies stay in sync with other business systems. |
6. Reporting and analytics | Choose tools with robust reporting capabilities so you can track devices at a glance. Look for real-time dashboards that show key information like device status and compliance levels. Customizable reports will let you tailor insights to your specific needs. |
7. Pricing | Keep MDM software affordable by factoring in current and future pricing. Flat-rate pricing is the most predictable. Per-device or per-user pricing can make the software prohibitively expensive as you grow. |
For businesses with basic requirements, dedicated MDM software isn’t always necessary. A CRM with flexible data management capabilities can serve as a practical alternative.
You’ll learn how to tailor your CRM for this purpose next.
How to use your CRM as an MDM solution
While Pipedrive is primarily a customer relationship management (CRM) system, you can use it to track and manage your device inventory.
Features like customizable pipelines, custom fields and reporting let you build a structured device-tracking system to keep your team on the same page. Small businesses with simpler requirements can get the core benefits of MDM software at no extra cost.
Here’s how to make the most of Pipedrive’s MDM capabilities.
Track devices with customizable pipelines
Pipedrive lets you build custom pipelines tailored to any workflow – not just sales.
For device management, create a dedicated sales pipeline where each deal represents a single device, and each stage reflects where that device is in its lifecycle.
Your pipeline could look something like this:
Update details and ownership as each device moves through the pipeline.
For example, your office manager could be assigned all devices in the procurement and configuration stages. They could then assign devices to the relevant employee when they move into the “active” stage.
You can even associate tasks with each pipeline stage and use Pipedrive’s workflow automation features to assign them as devices move to the next stage.
Capture relevant data with custom fields
Custom fields extend the versatility of your device records, letting you capture all the information you need.
Add as many custom fields as necessary by heading to the account menu and then clicking “Personal preferences > Data fields”.
Here are some suggested custom fields to create for device management:
Serial number
OS version
Purchase date
Warranty info
Encryption status
Loaded apps
Last update
The more fields you add, the easier it will be to filter, organize and search for corporate-owned devices. You can also use custom fields when creating reports.
Pipedrive in action: Thanks to Pipedrive’s simplicity and customizability, four different departments at SiteForce, a Dallas-based commercial janitorial company, now use the software.
While the company doesn’t use it as MDM software yet, it does use Pipedrive to collect, store and action vital information like door codes and cleaning priorities. As co-owner Ron Daniels explains:
“We’ve probably got 100–125 fields customized and that data is the core of our business. If that data isn’t accurate and available, we struggle to perform our work. Pipedrive, through the customization, has enabled us to capture that data in a meaningful way, even to the extent of moving fields around and priority listing, so our field team at night has real-time access to what they need.”
Monitor activity with AI reports
Pipedrive’s Insights feature lets you build custom reports based on any data in your account, including the custom fields you’ve set up for device management.
Pipedrive’s AI report generator makes the process even easier. Simply describe the report you want in plain language.
For example, you could prompt it with “show me all devices that haven’t been updated in the last 90 days” or “list all devices currently in the Configuration stage”.
AI report creation supports the same data fields as manual reports, including custom fields on Premium and higher plans.
While Pipedrive can’t replace some features of dedicated MDM software, like enforcing device security policies or remotely wiping devices, it can act as a bridge for small businesses that need basic device visibility before they upgrade.
Final thoughts
The right MDM management software reduces the time you spend manually tracking devices in a spreadsheet and pestering employees to install updates.
You may not need to buy a dedicated system just yet, however. Using your CRM as an alternative to MDM management software saves money and centralizes business information. A familiar system also makes it easier for your team to adopt device management practices.
Start a 14-day free trial to discover how Pipedrive’s customizable pipelines, fields and reports can serve as a practical alternative to MDM software.
