Choosing/Moving to a new UEM? Start with These 5 Essential Questions

Greetings, and welcome back to Hexnode Deep Dive, your one-stop shop where we uncover the intricacies and obstacles that pepper today's modern workplace. Managing a mix of devices across various platforms is always a complex task—but it doesn't have to be. In this edition, we provide our readers with the ultimate buyer's guide to help you select the ideal Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution for 2025.

Today’s workplaces thrive on endpoint-diversity – a blend of devices, platforms and operating systems to enhance productivity and performance. From smartphones and laptops to IoT devices and rugged hardware, even VR headsets, this ecosystem is reshaping business operations constantly.??

In this ever-changing landscape, IT admins are trying to balance security with functionality and compliance. So, what do you do to manage this high-stake balancing act? You need 360-degree visibility on the corporate endpoints and have a secure leash on them. And this is exactly what unified endpoint management solutions provide.??

UEM brings all your devices under the same platform, making management easy and improving security and productivity. However, with so many vendors vying for your attention, it can be tough to choose the right UEM.??

Start by asking these five essential questions!?

1. Is the UEM scalable?

Modern workplaces function on a mix of platforms, and so should your UEM. Even if your business is considering only MacBooks or Windows PCs, it is always good to have a solution that can expand and scale in accordance with your business. Whether it is iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Chrome OS, or Linux, a good UEM must support all major operating systems to keep its ecosystem functional and secure.??

The growing trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has made things more complex. BYOD has an impact on boosting flexibility and productivity, but it also creates risks like data breaches, malware threats, and unauthorized access. To protect company data in this environment, businesses need strong solutions such as data containerization to keep sensitive information safe while respecting employee privacy.??

But that’s just the beginning. Beyond traditional devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, businesses increasingly rely on IoT devices, rugged hardware, kiosks, and digital signage. For example, kiosk modes—which transform devices into dedicated single-app or multi-app terminals—demand advanced remote management for seamless monitoring, troubleshooting, and updates without physical intervention.??

The bottom line is that whatever UEM you consider should be able to address all these factors by being compatible with all major operating systems and endpoints. UEM ties up all these factors together so that admins can focus on maximum flexibility and productivity, regardless of the complexity of your endpoint ecosystem.

2. Can the UEM solution simplify onboarding and address security concerns??

Device onboarding can be quite a daunting task for IT admins. Each device would have to be set up manually with security policies, the tools for work, and access to other resources. When these devices are spread out to other locations or are used by remote employees, onboarding becomes even more complicated. As your company expands and adopts more devices, manually setting up each of these devices will only slow down your operations.?

To simplify the onboarding process, UEM solutions must be capable of automatically enrolling both corporate-owned and personal devices. Look for a UEM solution supporting Apple Automated Device Enrollment, Android Zero-Touch Enrollment, Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment, Windows Autopilot, and ROM-based enrollment for OEM-specific devices. And in case of a migration from one UEM to another, manually disenrolling and enrolling all the devices is out of the question. Advanced migration tools and guides will be critical here. For instance, Hexnode Gateway simplifies the migration of macOS and Windows devices onto the Hexnode platform by letting admins remotely migrate these devices without needing a device wipe. Additionally, employees should be able to enroll their personal devices themselves through a self-service portal or by receiving an invitation via email or SMS.??

But onboarding is just step one. Once devices are enrolled, keeping them secure becomes the priority.??

As of 2025, ransomware attacks are projected to exceed 560 million incidents globally. A reliable UEM must be able to anticipate these security concerns and protect your organization from evolving threats. IT admins should have the capability to enforce complex passwords, enable full-disk encryption through tools like BitLocker or FileVault, and block unsafe websites through web content filtering. Advanced capabilities like geofencing - which can lock down or dynamically adjust device permissions based on the location of the device- are game-changers, ensuring sensitive information is secure. And for worst-case scenarios, such as the loss or theft of a device, remote wiping will serve as your ultimate defense.??

3. Does it ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and industrial standards??

Another important question is whether the UEM can assist in managing the various regulations and compliance requirements that businesses encounter. With regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, maintaining compliance is a constant challenge.??

A UEM solution must be able to help you maintain these regulations by supporting all devices to ensure uniform compliance. The UEM must include features such as data encryption, password management, and remote wiping, all designed to meet regulatory standards.??

Finally, the UEM solution should also be equipped with comprehensive reporting and auditing capabilities to help IT admins quickly generate detailed reports on compliance. These reports must provide a good overview of the configurations of the devices, users activities on them, and the policy enforcement needed to be able to prove compliance.??

4. Does the UEM offer seamless integrations with essential enterprise tools and services??

In essence, the “IT ecosystem” should work just like it says – an ecosystem where everything thrives together.??

Your UEM should work smoothly with the tools your organization already utilizes, such as identity and access management for seamless Single Sign-On and Multi-Factor Authentication, service desk tools for effective troubleshooting, and compliance monitoring systems to streamline audits.??

These integrations not only streamline processes but also improve operational efficiency, allowing IT administrators to concentrate on what truly matters: maintaining the security and functionality of the organization.??

For instance, Hexnode UEM works with Okta for user synchronization and secure authentication, Apple Business Manager for automated enrollment, and popular service desk platforms like Zendesk and FreshService, along with compliance tools like Vanta and Drata for continuous monitoring.??

5. Does it align with your budget??

When selecting a UEM solution, it’s crucial to ensure it fits within your budget while providing maximum value. Always check out more than one solution and compare pricing and features if possible.??

Free or entry-level options may appear appealing at first, but as the business scales up, they frequently come short of the requirement. These limitations can result in unexpected upgrades and additional costs down the line.? ? ? It’s important to look beyond the surface costs and assess the overall pricing model. Whether the cost is per device or per user, check if the solution caters to your long-term needs.?

Trial periods are invaluable during the decision-making process. They will allow you to test the UEM under real-life scenarios and make sure that it deals with your specific needs and does not become a liability down the line. Additionally, consider the return on investment (ROI) of the solution by calculating how much time and money it saves in managing devices, mitigating security risks, and maintaining compliance. In most cases, a relatively higher investment initially will translate to good savings and operational efficiency down the track.?

Final Thoughts??

Choosing the right UEM solution is more than just a technical decision; it’s a strategic investment in your organization’s future. The right UEM not only addresses today’s challenges but also scales your business to tackle the complexities of tomorrow.??

In short, it may all appear overwhelming to choose or migrate to a UEM; starting with these five essential questions will make this complicated journey easier. Effective analysis ensures that the investment in a solution that enhances efficiency, secures its digital workspace, and positions the enterprise for success in a constantly evolving landscape of technology.

Stay tuned for more insights and expertise in the upcoming editions of Hexnode Deep Dive.?

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