Spotlight on: Modern Endpoint Management

Modern endpoint management is an IT operating approach used to manage endpoints efficiently and effectively. Companies can standardise and automate to simplify and streamline workplace IT operations.

This modern approach is about more than just endpoint security or monitoring devices employees use. Consider the entire ecosystem that supports your hybrid workplace and keeps your digital workforce productive. Think: devices, applications, data, cloud-based storage, the works.

So why does your IT team say this model is a must-have? It can reduce costs, improve security and offer a better end-user experience.

1. Reduce Excessive Support Tickets and Costs

Decrease the demand for IT support and ease the strain on your service desk team by reducing complexity within your technology environment. The more systems and applications you have, the more specialised skill sets and manpower your IT team needs to solve problems. With so many variables, it takes more effort for service desk teams to even start to identify an end user’s problem. Through standardisation and automation, you can simplify your IT environment and support needs. When you cut down the variables, your team experiences fewer possible issues—meaning more manageable support costs.

What does this look like in practice? The modern workforce brings consumer expectations to workplace technology—including autonomy through self-service. Many would rather seek solutions to tech problems on their own or through a chatbot than call a support phone number. Modern endpoint management empowers employees with more autonomy. For example, your employees can reset passwords automatically or request software through an app store functionality. Simple support needs become quick fixes.

The impact:

• You’ve improved end-user satisfaction and have an empowered, productive workforce.
• Your support team now has time to focus on enhancements to improve UX.
• You’ve freed up budget for transformative, future-focused initiatives.

2. Improve Remote Systems Management

Since the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many workplaces to go fully remote in early 2020, companies have struggled to adjust. Employees’ digital mobility and flexibility graduated from a marginal need in some companies to a top priority everywhere. One key challenge has been managing devices, applications and data remotely at the same level as their on-premises management.

Twenty-four percent of our 2022 State of Digital Transformation report respondents identified improved device management capabilities like remote management as one of the top 3 three benefits from their digital transformation efforts.

Many companies still grapple with updating digital workplace operations to support remote and hybrid workplaces. Modern endpoint management enables IT teams to effectively manage systems remotely while employees work from anywhere.

3. Your IT Security Team Will Thank You

Endpoint security goes beyond protecting company-issued devices connected to a company network while on company property. When teams shift to remote work, more remote endpoints mean a greater attack surface for bad actors. Many employees access company data on their personal devices, and that trend will likely continue. The Gartner 2021 Digital Worker Experience Survey revealed that 55% of full-time employees surveyed use personal devices for work at least some of the time. The modern, mobile workforce works from both company-owned devices and personal devices.

Remote and hybrid work aren't going anywhere. There are more endpoints to manage and secure, including personal devices with bring your own device (BYOD) options. It’s up to IT and security teams to meet security and compliance policies. This approach lets them implement and report on security policies in real time for all endpoints, anywhere. The single requirement? Being connected to the internet.

4. Prepare for New System Releases

Updates and new releases boost security to address newfound vulnerabilities, keeping your company protected. They also upgrade the end-user experience for employees demanding a consistent experience on their personal and work technology.

Companies with disjointed, disorganised endpoint environments aren’t ready for the next-generation release. In a simple, streamlined environment, it’s much easier to test and release that next update for smoother, faster adoption. When you focus on maturing your endpoint environment, new releases move from a possible major disruption to a minor update or non-event.

5. Stay Ready for the Next Game-Changing Tech

As company leaders review budgets for technology investments, they face one startling truth. You can’t improve until you improve. You can't push forward if you’re held back by a large amount of technical debt. For example, companies with many types of devices and legacy software can't leverage cutting-edge technology for a competitive advantage. Why? Because their IT environments are too complex or antiquated to support those new technologies. To propel digital transformation efforts or to boost efficiency of IT operations, you need a solid foundation. That includes a mature endpoint environment that can support the newest technology and upgrades.

State of Digital Transformation 2022:

#1 Digital Transformation Challenge

Complexity of current environment / siloed mindset and behaviours.

Companies that take the time to improve the maturity of their technology environment and operations have an advantage when the next game-changing technology emerges. It comes down to staying ready so that you never have to get ready.