What is client management?

Client management: definition

In IT, a client is the device employees work on: desktop PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Client management ensures these devices are not set up, maintained and secured individually and by hand but according to uniform rules. IT defines what a workstation looks like and enforces it centrally across all devices.

Traditionally this was done with local servers, group policies and tools such as Microsoft Configuration Manager. Today management is moving to the cloud: solutions such as Microsoft Intune manage devices regardless of location, including home offices. The term unified endpoint management (UEM) has become established for this modern approach.

Tasks at a glance

Good client management accompanies a device throughout its entire use, from first setup to return. The more of this runs automatically, the less time IT spends on repetitive manual work and the more consistent the workstations are. The core tasks include:

• Initial installation and configuration based on a standard profile
• Distribution and updating of applications
• Operating system and security updates (patch management)
• Security policies such as disk encryption, screen lock and antivirus
• Inventory of hardware and software
• Remote access, troubleshooting and secure decommissioning

Real-world example: a firm with 25 workstations

A tax consultancy has so far set up new laptops by hand: installing programs, connecting printers, configuring email, waiting for updates. This takes several hours per device and turns out slightly different each time. When someone is off sick, they leave behind a device whose setup nobody knows exactly.

With central client management, a standard profile is defined that installs itself automatically at first sign-in. Updates run at night, encryption is mandatory, and if a device fails, the employee quickly receives a replacement with an identical configuration. IT costs become predictable, and nobody waits long for a workstation anymore.

Benefits, limits and common mistakes

Uniform devices are easier to support, more secure and quicker to replace when they fail. Security gaps can be closed across the board, and auditors can see at a glance whether requirements are met. Onboarding and offboarding are faster too, because configuration and return are standardized, and IT loses less time on special cases.

Limits appear with specialist software that is hard to distribute automatically, and with personal devices (BYOD), where not every employee accepts control by the employer. Typical mistakes are policies that are too strict without exceptions, no testing before updates and devices that never make it into the inventory. Data protection and co-determination should be clarified early.

Imple­menta­tion in mid-sized companies

The best way in is small steps: define a standard workstation, record the devices, control updates and encryption centrally, then add software distribution and automatic setup. Nano Concepts plans and supports client management, including the rollout of new devices and ongoing support, across Germany together with its IT service partners.