If your business has employees working on laptops, phones, or tablets — especially outside the office — you need a way to monitor those devices and wipe them if they are lost or stolen. Remote device monitoring software makes this possible without an enterprise IT budget.
Here is what these tools do, what they cost, and how to pick the right one for a small or mid-size business.
What Remote Device Monitoring Does
At its core, device monitoring software gives you a dashboard to see and control every device that touches your company data. The key capabilities are:
- Device inventory — See every enrolled device, its OS version, storage status, and last check-in time
- Security policy enforcement — Require passwords, encryption, and screen locks across all devices
- Remote lock and wipe — Lock a missing device immediately or erase all data if it is confirmed stolen
- Patch management — Push operating system and software updates to all devices on a schedule
- App management — Deploy required apps and block unauthorized ones
- Compliance reporting — Generate reports showing which devices meet your security policies
MDM vs. RMM: Which Do You Need?
These two categories overlap significantly, but the distinction matters:
MDM (Mobile Device Management)
Best for: Businesses primarily managing phones, tablets, and laptops used by employees in the field.
MDM focuses on:
- Device enrollment and configuration
- App deployment and restrictions
- Remote wipe (full device or selective company data only)
- BYOD container isolation (company data separated from personal)
Popular MDM tools:
- Microsoft Intune — Included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Best for Windows-heavy environments already using Microsoft products
- Mosyle — Free for up to 30 Apple devices. Best Apple MDM for small businesses
- Hexnode — Starts at $1/device/month. Cross-platform, good for mixed environments
- Jamf Now — $4/device/month for Apple devices. Simple and focused
RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management)
Best for: Businesses that also need to manage servers, desktops, and network infrastructure alongside mobile devices.
RMM adds:
- Server and workstation monitoring (CPU, RAM, disk health)
- Automated patch management for OS and third-party apps
- Remote access for technicians to troubleshoot without visiting
- Scripting and automation for routine maintenance tasks
- Alerting on hardware failures, security events, and performance issues
Popular RMM tools:
- NinjaOne — Per-device pricing, free trial. Clean interface, strong automation
- Datto RMM — Designed for managed service providers. Full feature set
- ConnectWise Automate — Enterprise-grade with steep learning curve. Best for larger deployments
- Level — Modern, cloud-native RMM. Good for small businesses wanting simplicity
Cost Comparison for Small Businesses
Here is what to budget based on your device count:
| Device Count | MDM Only | Full RMM | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-10 devices | Free (Mosyle, Intune*) | $50-$100/mo | Start with free MDM |
| 10-25 devices | $25-$100/mo | $100-$250/mo | MDM unless you manage servers |
| 25-50 devices | $100-$200/mo | $250-$500/mo | RMM for full visibility |
| 50-100 devices | $200-$400/mo | $500-$1,000/mo | RMM with dedicated IT support |
*Intune requires Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22/user/month, which includes email, Office apps, and other features beyond MDM.
Remote Wipe: What You Need to Know
Remote wipe is the feature that matters most when a device goes missing. Here is how it actually works:
Full wipe erases everything on the device and resets it to factory settings. Use this for company-owned devices that are confirmed stolen.
Selective wipe removes only company data — email accounts, managed apps, company files — while leaving personal photos, apps, and settings intact. This is essential for BYOD environments where employees own the device.
Important limitations:
- The device must connect to the internet to receive the wipe command
- A powered-off device will wipe when it next connects
- If someone removes the SIM card and never connects to WiFi, the wipe cannot execute
- Full-disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault) protects data even if wipe cannot execute — the thief cannot read encrypted data without the password
BYOD Policies and Device Monitoring
If employees use personal phones or laptops for work email and files, you have two options:
Option 1: MDM with work container — Install MDM on personal devices but only manage a sandboxed work container. Company email, files, and apps live inside the container. If the employee leaves, you wipe the container only. Personal data is never touched.
Option 2: Virtual desktop / web-only access — Employees access company resources through a browser or virtual desktop. No company data lives on the personal device at all. This eliminates the need for MDM on personal devices but limits offline access.
Most small businesses start with Option 1 because it balances security with employee convenience.
Compliance Considerations
If your business handles sensitive data, device monitoring is not optional — it is required:
- HIPAA (healthcare) — Requires device encryption, access controls, and remote wipe capability for any device accessing patient data
- PCI DSS (payment processing) — Requires security controls on devices that handle cardholder data
- CMMC/NIST (government contractors) — Requires endpoint monitoring and incident response capabilities
- SOC 2 (SaaS/tech companies) — Requires evidence of endpoint security controls
Device monitoring software provides the audit trail and enforcement mechanism to meet these requirements.
Get Help Setting Up Device Monitoring in DFW
Techrepair DFW helps businesses across the Dallas-Fort Worth area deploy and manage device monitoring solutions. Whether you need basic MDM for 10 phones or full RMM across 100 workstations, we set it up, configure your policies, and provide ongoing support.
Learn more about our endpoint security services or contact us to discuss your monitoring needs.
Call (469) 523-1506 or contact us online to get started.
