Summary: The fast pace of IoT adoption makes it very important to manage and secure thousands of connected devices at the same time. Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) is a secure and scalable way of controlling various IoT endpoints. Through the collaboration with SOTI and Zebra, Lowry Solutions assists companies in the deployment, protection, and future-proofing of their IoT environments.
Managing and Securing IoT Devices with Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is here and growing exponentially.
Experts project that by 2020 there will be over 26.5 billion connected IoT endpoints.
Billions of devices or “things” will be connected together with endpoints, transferring exabytes of data to each other and to back-end systems.
This exponential growth means device management and security will be more challenging and more important than ever.
Therefore, it’s crucial for companies embracing the IoT to choose the right strategy for managing their IoT devices, endpoints, and security.
The Challenge of Managing the IoT
In the era of the IoT, systems of endpoints and computers can sense for themselves and use analytics and business intelligence to respond faster and better than a human. Technologies like RFID play a crucial role in enabling these systems to track, identify, and manage assets in real time.
Reactions and adjustments will happen without any human intervention, and often without any human awareness.
Companies are going to be deploying thousands or tens of thousands of diverse devices and endpoints, including those leveraging RFID technology, to unlock and leverage these IoT capabilities.
It’s going to be bigger, more complex, and more complicated than the Internet we know, and it’s already creating new challenges around scale, interoperability, security, and management.
How to Manage IoT Devices
To plan accordingly, our partners at SOTI Inc. recommend five key ground rules that companies should keep in mind:
IoT Device Management: Five Ground Rules for Security and Success
- Device diversity is an opportunity, not a challenge. Embrace new devices and endpoints; they offer the potential to transform your business.
- Economies of scale should apply. Managing ten thousand devices should be just as easy as managing ten devices, and it can be.
- Proactively plan security by design. Identify the potential risks of your IoT deployment during the initial stages. Plan for the worst and choose your security accordingly.
- Avoid proprietary ecosystems. Open standards are not always better, but consider the long-term ramifications of locking into a closed ecosystem.
- Future-proof your investment. The IoT is taking off, and new standards and protocols are emerging every month. Don’t be left behind. The IoT may change the way your business works, and you need to embrace this change. If you don’t, your competitors will.
The Importance of IoT Security
Unfortunately, for many new IoT devices, security was not a consideration during their design. Often it’s only considered reactively as issues are identified in the field.
This lack of security consideration in the initial design process means companies must emphasize security and protect their devices, networks, and data accordingly. The best way to do that is through Unified Endpoint Management (UEM).
Unified Endpoint Management
Until now, many companies managed their mobile devices, enterprise assets, applications, and security through Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions.
SOTI was a pioneer in this area and serves over 17,000 businesses around the world.
However, the IoT calls for a new way to secure and manage the new IoT devices, endpoints, and emerging technologies.
Thankfully, SOTI is ahead of the curve and is leading the way with UEM.
UEM is the next generation of device and mobility management for the IoT era. It’s engineered to protect and manage a company’s mobile devices, applications, content, peripherals, and IoT endpoints.
SOTI is working with industry leaders, such as Zebra Technologies, and our team at Lowry Solutions, to develop UEM solutions for businesses adopting IoT technologies.
Building a Scalable IoT Management Strategy for Long-Term Success
The need to manage Internet of Things devices is imperative, but IoT device deployment is more than simply pumping hardware into facilities as organizations look for greater uptake of connected technologies. An ideal IoT strategy focuses on centralized device management, secure connectivity, real-time monitoring, and system integration into the enterprise. Failure to establish a systematic management mechanism exposes companies to disjointed processes, inconsistent performance of devices, and higher security exposure.
Organizations get better outcomes from deploying connected sensors in manufacturing plants, RFID readers in distribution centers, rugged mobile computers in warehouses, and GPS-enabled tracking devices across transportation networks than when they treat every endpoint as a siloed device instead of part of an operating ecosystem.
Establishing Visibility Across Connected Devices
One of the biggest challenges to maintaining visibility in thousands of connected endpoints working across many locations is large-scale IoT environments. Organizations want the ability to observe device status, software versions, network connectivity, and operational health from a single pane of glass.
With centralized visibility, the IT and operations teams can:
- Track device availability in real-time
- Identify offline or malfunctioning equipment
- Track hardware lifecycle information
- Review device performance metrics
- Verify software compliance
- Battery health monitoring of mobile devices
- Detect unusual operational behavior
Organizations can then address issues before they take a toll on daily operations by having immediate access to this information.
Automating Device Lifecycle Management
Managing IoT devices throughout their lifecycle reduces administrative overhead while improving operational consistency. Instead of configuring every device individually, organizations can automate routine management tasks from deployment through retirement.
An effective lifecycle management strategy typically includes:
- Device enrollment and provisioning
- Configuration management
- Remote software deployment
- Operating system updates
- Security policy enforcement
- Performance monitoring
- Preventive maintenance scheduling
- Secure decommissioning
Automation reduces manual effort while ensuring every device follows standardized operational and security requirements.
Supporting Reliable Connectivity Across Operations
IoT devices can only become valuable when they can communicate reliably with enterprise applications. To facilitate seamless connectivity across warehouses, production facilities, outdoor environments, and remote field locations, it needs to be done.
The business case for connectivity will differ from organization to organization and should be assessed by operational need, but options include:
- Wi-Fi networks for indoor facilities
- Bluetooth connectivity for short-range communication
- Cellular networks for remote operations
- Ethernet connections for fixed infrastructure
- Low-power IoT communication protocols
- Hybrid network environments
Choosing the right communication architecture allows for uninterrupted data collection while minimizing interruptions in the network.
Turning IoT Data into Actionable Insights
Ever-segregated data streams from connected devices are in operationally loose form and can aid best decisions when the generated information is scrutinized effectively. Governments and organizations need to not only gather data but also process that information to generate tangible analytics around business outcomes.
Examples of useful operational intelligence include:
- Equipment utilization trends
- Inventory movement patterns
- Environmental monitoring results
- Asset location history
- Device performance analytics
- Maintenance frequency
- Workflow bottlenecks
- Resource allocation opportunities
It allows organizations to get their processes optimised, use better resources, and find opportunities for continuous improvement.
Integrating IoT with Enterprise Operations
The real value from IoT comes from how devices connect and work with your existing enterprise systems. Integration breaks down information silos to bring operational data wherever business decisions are made.
IoT environments commonly integrate with:
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
- Asset Management Software
- Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
- Business Intelligence platforms
- Inventory tracking solutions
Such a connected model facilitates real-time operational data synchronization across departments, minimizing the need for repetitive data entry and delayed reporting.
Best Practices for Securing Connected Environments
As the number of connected endpoints grows, organizations should implement comprehensive security strategies that protect devices, users, applications, and operational data throughout the enterprise.
Recommended security practices include:
- Strong user authentication
- Role-based access controls
- Device encryption
- Secure network communication
- Continuous security monitoring
- Automated software patching
- Remote lock and wipe capabilities
- Regular security assessments
Security should be integrated into every stage of the device lifecycle rather than added after deployment.
Preparing for Future IoT Expansion
IoT deployments rarely remain static. As organizations adopt new technologies and expand operations, their management platforms should accommodate additional devices without requiring significant infrastructure changes.
When evaluating IoT management solutions, businesses should consider:
Evaluation Area | Long-Term Benefit |
Scalability | Supports growth across multiple facilities |
Device compatibility | Accommodates diverse hardware manufacturers |
Integration capabilities | Connects with existing enterprise software |
Centralized management | Simplifies administration across large deployments |
Security features | Protects expanding device ecosystems |
Reporting and analytics | Provides actionable operational insights |
Planning for future expansion helps organizations avoid costly migrations while supporting ongoing digital transformation initiatives.
Enabling Intelligent Enterprise Operations
Modern IoT environments extend beyond connected devices to create intelligent operational ecosystems where information flows automatically between people, equipment, and enterprise applications. Technologies such as RFID, barcode scanning, GPS tracking, industrial sensors, and enterprise mobility solutions work together to improve visibility across every stage of the supply chain.
Lowry Solutions helps organizations design, deploy, and manage these connected environments by integrating hardware, software, and professional services into a unified strategy. Through partnerships with leading technology providers and the proprietary Sonaria platform, Lowry enables businesses to centralize operational data, automate workflows, and gain real-time visibility into assets and inventory across multiple locations.
As IoT adoption continues to accelerate, organizations that invest in scalable device management, proactive security, and integrated enterprise solutions will be better positioned to improve operational efficiency, reduce complexity, and respond quickly to changing business demands. A well-managed IoT ecosystem not only strengthens day-to-day operations but also creates a flexible foundation for future innovation and long-term business growth.
If the IoT is in your future, our team would be happy to help you explore a SOTI UEM solution and develop an IoT plan for your business.
Contact us now to continue the conversation and request a free consultation. Visit us at lowrysolutions.com, call us at 1-888-881-2477, or email us now.
Frequently asked questions
UEM is a modern technique for dealing with and protecting endpoints such as mobile devices, IoT hardware, applications, and accessories—all through one platform.
IoT installations consist of a myriad of different, constantly-connected devices. The use of UEM brings about easy management, security by design, and, even more, scalability as the installations expand.
UEM facilitates monitoring, policy enforcement, updates, and threat mitigation across all endpoints proactively—thus safeguarding devices, data, and networks against the risks that come with technology changes.
RFID-tagged assets and IoT devices produce unbroken streams of data. UEM keeps these devices linked, secured, compliant, and running without the need for human intervention.
Lowry Solutions has partnered with SOTI and Zebra to create, execute, and oversee UEM solutions—thus assisting companies in securely expanding IoT, reducing the complexity and the load on IT at the same time.
A Horizons Talent Alumnus and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), the author brings a proven track record of success in senior shared-services leadership roles within large, complex multinational organizations, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
With deep experience at Senior Manager level, they have led strategic customer relationships by understanding core business imperatives, shaping service and solution propositions, and delivering measurable business outcomes.
