Mobile Device Management

All MDM providers use the same method for managing iOS devices, an XML document called the configuration profile. That spec is defined by Apple. Because of this, all MDM providers will provide basically the same features. It's also important to note the (somewhat severe) limits of the configuration profile-based management:

• Root configuration profile can be removed by the user
• Device may be erased using iTunes
• No OTA OS updates
• Free and Paid apps cannot be pushed from the MDM Server (iOS 4 supports OTA in-house distribution)
• No screen sharing to the device
• No "Find my iPhone" functionality through MDM

So how will MDM providers differentiate themselves? That's an interesting question explored in the sections below, starting with the Comparison of MDM Providers.

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Requirements

In order to utilize MDM capabilities built-in to iOS 4, your organization must enroll in the iOS Developer Enterprise Program (iDEP) iOS Developer Program. See Apple IOS Enterprise Developer Program Overview for requirements. The regular iOS Developer Program is for publishing apps to the iTunes App Store.

If you are only implementing SCEP, iOS Developer Enterprise Program is not required.