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What Is Device Management?
Device management is the process IT teams use to deploy, configure, update, secure, monitor, and retire an organization's computers and other devices, usually from a central console. It keeps every device consistent, protected, and productive, whether employees work in the office, at home, or on the road.
As organizations grow and adopt hybrid work, managing each PC by hand becomes impractical. This page explains three core parts of device management: IT deployment, remote management, and fleet management. For the security side of managing devices, see business security.
Device management essentials at a glance
Covers the full device lifecycle, from first setup to secure retirement
Lets IT deploy new PCs with little or no hands-on setup
Enables remote updates, troubleshooting, and policy changes from a central console
Gives IT visibility into the health, security, and inventory of every device in the fleet
Uses tools such as mobile device management (MDM) and unified endpoint management (UEM)
The Device Management Lifecycle
Device management follows each computer through its entire working life. Managing every stage well reduces downtime, security risk, and wasted spending.
Stage | What IT does | Goal |
|---|---|---|
Plan and procure | Selects standard models and configurations for each role | Consistent, supportable devices |
Deploy | Configures, enrolls, and delivers devices ready to use | Fast, accurate setup |
Manage and update | Pushes software, driver, BIOS, and operating system updates; adjusts settings and policies | Devices that stay current and compliant |
Secure | Enforces encryption, sign-in, and security policies; responds to threats | Protected devices and data |
Monitor and support | Tracks device health and performance; troubleshoots issues remotely | Less downtime and fewer support tickets |
Refresh and retire | Replaces aging devices, securely erases data, and recycles or redeploys hardware | Controlled costs and no data left behind |
What Is IT Deployment?
IT deployment is the process of preparing new computers with the right operating system, apps, settings, and security policies, then delivering them to employees ready to work. Modern deployment methods reduce or eliminate the hands-on setup IT teams once did for every PC.
Common deployment methods
Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Traditional imaging | IT loads a standard system image onto each PC, either by hand or over the network | Organizations with on-premises infrastructure and highly customized images |
Zero-touch deployment | The PC ships directly to the employee, who signs in with work credentials; the device then enrolls and configures itself over the internet | Remote and hybrid workforces |
Factory configuration | The manufacturer installs a custom image, settings, BIOS configuration, or asset tags before shipping | Large rollouts that need devices ready on arrival |
What zero-touch deployment means for hybrid work
With zero-touch deployment, a new laptop can ship straight to an employee's home. After the employee signs in, cloud-based tools such as Windows Autopilot and Microsoft Intune apply company apps, policies, and security settings automatically. IT never has to handle the device. Learn what hybrid workers need from their technology.
Deployment best practices
Standardize models: Fewer models mean fewer images, drivers, and spare parts to manage.
Use role-based configurations: Give each team the apps and settings it needs, and nothing more.
Configure security first: Apply encryption, sign-in, and BIOS settings before the device reaches the user.
Test before rollout: Pilot new images and configurations with a small group first.
What Is Remote Management?
Remote management is the ability for IT to configure, update, troubleshoot, and secure a computer over a network without being physically present. It's essential for organizations with multiple offices or remote employees.
In-band vs. out-of-band management
Type | How it works | What it can do |
|---|---|---|
In-band management | Uses software agents that run inside the operating system | Deploy apps, push updates, change settings, and run remote support sessions while the PC is running normally |
Out-of-band management | Uses hardware-level technology that works independently of the operating system | Reach a PC that's powered off, won't boot, or has a damaged operating system, on supported configurations |
Out-of-band management is available on select business PCs with technologies such as Intel® vPro® or AMD PRO, and requires network access and IT setup.
What IT can do remotely
Install and update software: Push apps, patches, drivers, and operating system updates on a schedule. See how software updates work.
Manage BIOS settings: Change firmware settings and apply BIOS updates across many PCs at once. On HP business PCs, HP Sure Admin supports secure remote BIOS management.
Enforce policies: Apply security, password, encryption, and compliance settings.
Troubleshoot: Diagnose issues, view device health, and take remote control with the user's permission.
Lock or wipe devices: Protect data if a device is lost or stolen.
Recover the operating system: Reinstall or restore the operating system over the network. Learn about drivers and firmware.
What Is Fleet Management?
Fleet management is the practice of tracking, monitoring, and optimizing all of an organization's devices as one group, or fleet, rather than one device at a time. It gives IT a central view of what devices the organization owns, how they're performing, and when they need attention.
Key fleet management capabilities
Asset inventory: Tracks hardware details, assigned users, locations, and warranty status for every device.
Health monitoring: Watches battery health, storage, performance, and crashes to catch problems early.
Software and compliance tracking: Confirms devices have the right software versions, updates, and security settings.
Analytics and reporting: Identifies underused devices, recurring issues, and trends across the fleet.
Refresh planning: Uses real device performance data to decide when to replace or redeploy hardware.
Proactive vs. reactive fleet management
Traditional IT support is reactive: an employee reports a problem, and IT fixes it. Proactive fleet management uses device data and analytics to spot and solve issues before employees notice them. The HP Workforce Experience Platform (WXP), for example, is a cloud-based, AI-powered fleet management platform that monitors device health across multi-vendor environments and integrates with Microsoft Intune [HP].
Types of Device Management Tools
Organizations use different types of device management tools depending on their size, devices, and infrastructure. Many use more than one.
Tool type | What it does | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
Mobile device management (MDM) | Enrolls devices and applies settings, apps, and security policies over the internet | Phones, tablets, and increasingly laptops |
Unified endpoint management (UEM) | Manages PCs, mobile devices, and other endpoints from a single cloud console | Organizations managing many device types, often with hybrid workers |
Configuration management | Deploys software, images, and updates to PCs on a company network | Organizations with on-premises infrastructure |
Remote monitoring and management (RMM) | Monitors devices and automates maintenance across many clients or sites | Managed service providers and small IT teams |
Fleet analytics platforms | Collect device health and experience data to guide proactive support and refresh decisions | Organizations focused on uptime and long-term planning |
Examples include Microsoft Intune for cloud-based endpoint management and Microsoft Configuration Manager for on-premises management. HP tools such as the HP Workforce Experience Platform and HP manageability tools add HP-specific hardware insights and BIOS controls.
How to Build a Device Management Strategy
To build a device management strategy, start with an inventory of what you have, decide how devices will be deployed and managed, and choose tools that fit your team's size and skills.
Inventory your devices. Document every device, its user, its age, and its warranty status.
Standardize hardware. Choose a small set of business laptop and desktop models for each role. See business laptops and business desktops.
Choose deployment methods. Decide between imaging, zero-touch deployment, factory configuration, or a mix.
Select management tools. Match tools to your device types, infrastructure, and IT staffing.
Define security policies. Set requirements for encryption, sign-in, updates, and BIOS settings. Explore business security features.
Plan support and warranties. Decide how repairs and replacements will be handled. Compare business warranty and support options.
Plan the full lifecycle. Set refresh cycles and secure retirement procedures, or consider a managed approach such as Device as a Service.
Shop manageable business PCs in our business store.
Frequently Asked Questions About Device Management
What is the difference between MDM and UEM?
Mobile device management (MDM) focuses on enrolling devices and applying settings and security policies, traditionally for phones and tablets. Unified endpoint management (UEM) expands that approach to manage PCs, mobile devices, and other endpoints from a single console.
Do small businesses need device management?
Yes, small businesses benefit from device management because it automates updates, enforces security settings, and protects data on lost devices without requiring a large IT team. Cloud-based tools make device management practical even for a handful of computers.
Can IT see everything on a managed work computer?
IT can typically see device details such as hardware, installed software, update status, and security settings on a managed work computer. What else IT can monitor depends on the tools and the organization's policies, so employees should check their company's IT and privacy policies.
Can device management work if a laptop is offline?
Device management tools apply new policies and updates when a laptop reconnects to the internet. Some protections, such as drive encryption and security settings already in place, keep working while the device is offline.
What happens to company data when a device is retired?
When a device is retired, IT should securely erase its data or destroy its drive before recycling, reselling, or redeploying it. Many organizations use certified data sanitization services to document that data was removed.
