Endpoint and device management

Endpoint management tools keep company laptops, desktops and phones configured, patched and secure without someone touching each device. An agent or the operating system's built-in management channel lets IT push settings and apps, install updates on a schedule, check compliance and wipe a lost device.

The market splits by audience. Microsoft Intune suits organizations on Microsoft 365, and Jamf, Addigy and Kandji focus on Apple fleets. NinjaOne, Atera and Kaseya VSA are remote monitoring and management tools built for MSPs and lean IT teams, combining patching, scripting and remote access. Automox is a cloud patching tool, Hexnode covers kiosks and frontline devices, and Endpoint Central is ManageEngine's option with a self-hosted edition.

AI features here are newer and mostly practical: copilots that explain a failed policy, write a script from a plain description, or summarize why a device is out of compliance. Treat generated scripts like any other change and test them on a small group first.

Before choosing, count devices by operating system and ownership, because company-owned and personal devices are managed differently. List the third-party apps you must patch, check how new devices are enrolled out of the box, and decide who approves updates. For MSPs, multi-tenant separation and per-client reporting matter as much as features.

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9 AI IT operations tools in endpoint and device management

NinjaOne

Endpoint management and remote monitoring for IT teams and MSPs, with patching, scripting and remote access in one console.

Built for MSPs (multi-client)
Developer API

Kaseya VSA

by Kaseya

Remote monitoring and management for MSPs and IT departments, part of the wider Kaseya platform.

Built for MSPs (multi-client)

Atera

Remote monitoring and management with built-in ticketing and an AI copilot for technicians, aimed at MSPs and small IT teams.

Built for MSPs (multi-client)
Developer API

Addigy

Cloud Apple device management built with MSPs in mind, handling Mac, iPhone and iPad fleets across many clients.

Built for MSPs (multi-client)

Microsoft Intune

by Microsoft

Cloud endpoint management for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, tied into Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365.

Jamf

Device management for Apple fleets: Mac, iPhone and iPad enrollment, configuration, app deployment and security.

Developer API

Hexnode

Unified endpoint management for phones, tablets, laptops and kiosk devices across major operating systems.

Automox

Cloud patching and endpoint automation for Windows, macOS and Linux, with scripted fixes called Worklets.

Developer API

Endpoint Central

by ManageEngine

Endpoint management from ManageEngine for patching, software deployment and remote control, in cloud and self-hosted editions.

Self-hosted option

Enrollment is where most rollouts stall. Zero-touch setup through Windows Autopilot or Apple Business Manager lets a new laptop ship straight to an employee and configure itself on first sign-in, but it needs devices bought through the right channels and registered to your organization. Older devices usually need a manual enrollment step, so plan time for that.

Patching is the other daily job. Operating system updates are the easy part; browsers, PDF readers, remote tools and other third-party apps are where most gaps sit. Check each tool's catalog of third-party apps, how it handles reboots that users keep postponing, and how quickly you can see which devices are behind. A weekly report of devices that missed updates is often more useful than any dashboard.

Security teams care about this category too. Disk encryption, firewall settings, local admin rights and screen lock rules are all enforced through the endpoint manager, and many conditional access setups rely on its compliance status before letting a device sign in. Agree with security which settings are mandatory, how exceptions are approved, and who gets alerted when a device falls out of compliance. Retiring devices needs the same care: wiping, removing them from the console and updating the asset record.

Questions about endpoint and device management

What is the difference between MDM and RMM?

MDM, mobile device management, uses the operating system's own management features to configure and secure devices, and is common for phones and Macs. RMM, remote monitoring and management, uses an agent for monitoring, scripting and patching, and is the MSP standard for Windows fleets. Many tools now do both.

Can we manage personal phones without controlling them fully?

Yes. Intune and most mobile managers can protect company data inside work apps on personal phones without enrolling the whole device. Explain to staff what IT can and cannot see before you roll it out.

Which tools are built for Apple devices?

Jamf and Addigy focus on Mac, iPhone and iPad, using Apple's device management framework and Apple Business Manager for automated enrollment. Intune also manages Apple devices, though some Apple-heavy teams prefer a dedicated tool.

How should we roll out patching automation?

Start with a pilot group, set maintenance windows that suit users, and patch third-party apps as well as the operating system. Keep a way to pause or roll back an update, and report on devices that miss patches for several cycles.