Reduce support efforts by implementing device management
Headwind MDM Community Edition is a free and open-source device management software designed for seamless integration with business applications, especially with tailored corporate solutions maintained by Android development companies.
A bug on a remote device in the field could be a pain for the developer. Headwind MDM significantly reduces diagnostics efforts by providing the development infrastructure:
- Unified web console to access multiple devices;
- Remote logging system;
- “Silent” application and content updates without a user confirmation;
- Deploying and managing application settings;
- Responsive device management by using Push message services;
- Unattended remote access (the last resort for error diagnostics).
Using these diagnostics capabilities, developers do not only reduce bug fixing costs, they improve the customer relations by faster reaction and more effective software development and quality maintenance.
Empower apps with extra features
By using the Headwind MDM API, application developers empower business applications by implementing extra functions:
- Connectivity to a self-hosted cloud server;
- Push-based application management commands;
- Access to protected device parameters (IMEI, phone number, etc.);
- Application-initiated interaction with the MDM agent.
Open Source means Cost-Effective
Headwind MDM is a standalone system for application deployment. It has its own networking layer which doesn’t involve commonly used cloud services like Google Firebase or Android for Work, so it even works in private closed (air-gapped) networks.
Commercial MDM systems involve subscription fees for each managed device. For thousands of managed devices, MDM licensing costs may exceed the development costs and remarkably increase the total project expenses. Headwind MDM Community is a free MDM, neither you nor your customers have to pay for the mobile device management services.
Bulk application deployment
After the initial installation of a business application on the device (for example, QR code based enrollment), the developers need to deploy regular software updates. The MDM agent can do this job, by running in background, accepting Push notifications from the server, and performing silent updates (a scheduled update is also supported for better user experience).
As an option, the customer can run Headwind MDM launcher and configure applications visible on the desktop. This further improves the productivity of the users working with managed Android devices.
Downgrade Android applications
Although every mobile application update is thoroughly tested on a focus group prior to production mode deployment, sometimes an unstable version is sent to users, which entails a great deal of work to manually downgrade the version.
Headwind MDM automates the downgrade process and makes it fully remote.
Note that Android doesn’t allow downgrades without uninstallation, so users may lose their application data after a downgrade.
Using plugins for deeper integration
Headwind MDM API makes it easier to develop complex applications involving back-end functions as Headwind MDM plugins. The backend is developed as a Java code for Tomcat, and Headwind MDM design makes it easy to re-use the developed plugins and sell the solutions to other business customers.
Reselling opportunities
After trying the free Community Edition, most of our customers choose to upgrade to Enterprise and ask their IT support companies to perform the upgrade. We’re happy to discuss Enterprise Edition reselling options and rewards with the software development companies.