There's no denying it: mobile devices are an increasingly large part of our world, and our business is no different. Between those devices that employees are bringing in themselves, those being issued by businesses to employees, and those that employees are bringing in with their employers' sanctions—the bring your own device (BYOD) movement—is leaving businesses with a lot to think about. But many businesses are finding that mobile device management isn't so hard with some careful consideration and thought.

Even just two years ago, the idea of a huge number of mobile devices sanctioned by the company for use in its operations would have been unthinkable to most IT departments, yet now it's a fact of life. MDM software allows IT departments to essentially herd cats, taking all the various mobile devices in the organization and not only keeping track of them but opening up several options including remote wiping, remote updating, and even securing them by remote. Mobile device management offerings work with most of the major operating systems out there including iOS, Android and BlackBerry (News - Alert) and are likely to help Windows devices as more of them come into play.

Interestingly, though many companies realize the need for a BYOD strategy, just under a third or around 30 percent of companies had absolutely no MDM software or even a plan for it in place. Another 24 percent wouldn't agree or disagree meaning they might have had it under development or just didn't want to comment and the rest, almost half at 46 percent, have a formal strategy in place. But given a recent prediction from market research firm Gartner (News - Alert) that says 65 percent of enterprises will have some kind of MDM product in play, it's a safe bet that this is only going to gain ground.

Most of the mobile device market is clearly made up of smartphones. With 50 percent of connected devices in the Americas region being smartphones, the EMEA region counting 58 percent of its devices as smartphones, and the APJ field ringing in a hefty 64 percent as smartphones, it's clear that designing MDM around smartphones and by extension the cloud will be a smart idea for companies looking to get in the field. Businesses of all sizes are going to need this as well; while large businesses will appreciate the cost savings and morale boost commonly associated with a BYOD philosophy, small businesses run on cost savings and having employees use their own hardware at work is a great way to see a significant reduction in expenses. Thus, that represents a big opportunity for businesses developing MDM software as well.

Mobile device management represents a lot of potential for not only those involved in development, but also for those involved in its use. Hence, seeing a lot more in the way of competition in the mobile device management field is downright likely and seeing a lot of companies in the market for such software will only increase over time as well.

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