Gartner defines an endpoint management tool as a platform or tool that provides configuration management, patching and deployment of operating systems and applications for computers or mobile devices. Endpoint management tools are used to provide management capabilities for endpoint devices of various operating systems. These tools help maintain cybersecurity hygiene and enable end-user computing operations and automation by facilitating operating system and application deployment, patching and configuration management.
Gartner defines a mobile application management (MAM) tool as an on-premises or SaaS tool specifically designed for the license management, distribution, securing and life cycle management of apps for mobile device platforms. Thus, MAM tools provide integration with public app store payment and licensing mechanisms (such as Apple's Volume Purchase Program [VPP]), an enterprise app store, and the ability to set policies related to security, usage and ongoing management for apps or groups of apps. At minimum, a MAM product supports native and HTML 5 apps. Many also support a variety of popular hybrid app architectures, which may be highly desirable based on a particular client's needs.