Scalefusion is now an MDM Solution for iOS, Android & Windows 10 devices
For businesses, when choosing mobile devices to provide to the employees, it’s difficult to take a decision, which operating system should the company go for, in terms of security, design, and productivity. And, when it comes to iOS and Android, it is indeed a hard choice.
The companies, generally, do their analysis on the basis of the following five factors –
1. Hardware
2. Security
3. Apps
4. Software features
5. Cost
Hardware
Android has a wide range of devices with different size, functionality, and budget. So, if you prefer smartphones with huge screen or with a long battery life, expandable internal storage or with durable & waterproof designs, Android can be your better answer. While Apple has a limited range of devices in comparison to Android. However, a wide range of Android devices is both a blessing as well as a curse – as more the options, more the confusion to narrow down the choices which are worth good for the business. Hence, limited range of Apple makes it relatively easier to choose the devices.
Security
Security should be one of the major concern. It cannot be overlooked by the organizations when they are providing the devices to their employees. If the security of the devices is not strong, it can jeopardize critical business data and content on it.
Apple has a better reputation when it comes to device security, as the instances of major threats are much lesser. While in case of Android, Google Play Store has a long list of malware-laden apps which are the threat to the security. However, devices like Samsung are now equipped with Samsung Knox which lets you set up separate spaces for corporate/business and personal applications. LG devices have GATE (Guarded Access to Enterprise) and Google has even launched Android for Work platform, last year. In case of iOS, Apple has greater control over its entire ecosystem, which includes hardware, software, and firmware. It has a close control over all the apps in its app store. Hence, this reduces the danger of downloading malicious apps threatening the security of the devices or the data on it. iOS has a good legacy support, as a result of which, the older phones also get the latest software updates. In Android, it depends on the carrier, some of the flagship devices get upgraded to the latest Android version.
Android & iOS both the platforms offer strong security, but their approaches are different.
Apps
Apple devices are more popular with the enterprise, and to cater to various requirements, business apps are available consistently for the iOS platform (In case of iOS, apps are distributed through App Store). Hence, companies can use these apps for their similar kind of requirements. Android too, is coming out with newer apps at regular intervals to address the requirements of the businesses.
Software Features
Both Android and iOS have fantastic features which makes work easier for the employees and hence increase their productivity. Both the platform provides highly competitive features, though iOS may win in some while in some, Android may win over. For an e.g., If iOS provided Siri to save on notes and reminders, then, on the other hand, there is Google Assistant which provides the similar utility.
Android provides a view of two apps simultaneously on one screen which is very helpful to users when they need to reference a web page link in an email. On the other hand, iOS provides a feature like Continuity which makes it extremely easy to integrate the devices and write an email or edit a document on one device and then continue with the same on the other. So, overall, Apple is considered to be providing more features which are simplistic and straightforward for employees.
Cost
Android devices are available at every price points, hence it has a broad product range suitable for every budget. However, at every price points, the devices which are available differ in features and size. On the other side, Apple devices are considered premium and suitable for vendors who are looking for enterprise-grade security. Hence Apple does not sell iPhones at a budget price.
Conclusion
It is indeed difficult to answer which platform can prove best for any enterprise as iOS and Android both have their own strengths and weaknesses. It also depends on the size and budget of the organization, the number of devices required by the organization and the kind of complexity involved in their business functions.
It is important to prepare a priority list of your organization and depending on that, analyze and understand which platform can meet your requirements effectively.
Scalefusion is a Mobile Device Management-MDM Solution for Android and an MDM Solution for iOS as well. It helps organizations to effectively and seamlessly manage their company-owned devices over the air. Even, if the organization has both Android and iOS mobile devices, they can distinctly manage remotely from the single dashboard.
After Android and iOS, Scalefusion has now introduced MDM for Windows devices. Now you can efficiently manage your corporate-owned iOS, Android and Windows 10 devices from a Unified Dashboard.
For more information, visit our website www.scalefusion.com
