Companies don’t set out to create complex or overlapping mobility ecosystems – it just happens. One tool for this device type. Another inherited from an acquisition. Sometimes it’s a workaround. Before you know it, what’s supposed to give you control becomes the very thing holding you back. Visibility blurs, risk increases, and efficiency stalls.
This is a growing problem that spans every industry. IDC reports that nearly half of enterprises now manage three or more Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms and over 70% use multiple Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) tools, and that’s just the start.
Mobile tool sprawl isn’t only about complexity. Fragmentation impacts security, spend, productivity, control – you name it. Conversely, companies that tackle it head on can reduce wasted time by up to 60%, cut help desk inquiries in half, and save nearly 20% on monthly mobile expenses. How do we know? We helped them do it.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on and how organizations can cut through the chaos.
How Fragmentation in Mobility Management Happens…
Mobile tool sprawl tends to stem from the same set of familiar challenges. You have your legacy systems that pile up over time, often becoming too complex or ingrained to easily unwind. Some tools run in parallel after mergers and acquisitions, never fully integrated. Others are layered in to meet specific use cases or team preferences. Contracts can make some tools hard to let go, then there are software bundles that include mobility tools by default – creating “free” overlap.
Whatever the reason, this complexity opens the door to some serious issues.
- Juggling multiple mobility tools makes things more complicated, from sourcing and managing inventory to providing helpdesk support and dealing with reverse logistics (collecting, recycling, and wiping devices).
- Security policies often don’t apply evenly across platforms, creating cracks for sensitive data to slip through.
- Overlapping tools drive up costs and block visibility. Most companies aren’t just suspicious they’re wasting money – they know they are.
…and What it Costs Organizations
The same familiar challenges tend to lead to the same costly outcomes.
- Redundant tools: Organizations overspend by an average of $135 per device per year due to redundant mobility tools. The average enterprise manages 68,000 devices – that’s a lot of waste just waiting to be cut.
- Manual reporting and rework: Teams waste dozens of hours every month toggling between different systems, whereas others spend just minutes with a more streamlined approach like Managed Mobility Services (MMS).
- Delayed issue resolution: Every minute your team spends fielding basic questions is time they’re not spending driving growth initiatives, plus system complexity makes even the simplest answers harder and slower to find.
- Compliance gaps and security inconsistencies: There’s no denying that fragmentation compromises security – a risk few can afford, with the average data breach costing $4.8M and climbing.
All in all, the biggest cost is opportunity. Tool sprawl prevents you from optimizing mobility management to get the most value at every step. You stay in a reactive state, unable to proactively plan and maximize gains.
4 Steps to Start Cleaning House
With the right strategy, you’ll get more visibility, more savings, and more control over your device fleet. Here’s how to start cranking the gears in the right direction.
1. Start With the Data
Without real data, there’s no strong case to consolidate – just a vague sense that things are too complex. You need clear visibility into how many mobility tools are in use, where capabilities overlap, and how platforms are (or aren’t) working together. That starts with a full audit of your mobile management stack: what’s deployed, who owns it, what features it covers, and where gaps reside.
2. Quantify the Inefficiencies
Once you have a clear picture of the tools in play, the next step is to quantify their impact. Where are they slowing you down? Where are you paying twice for the same functionality? Where are teams doing extra work just to bridge the gaps? Put real numbers to those inefficiencies to see exactly where consolidation will deliver the biggest return.
If the scope feels overwhelming, don’t be afraid to tap into outside expertise. Tangoe’s Advisory Services team of expert consultants can help with a comprehensive review of your entire mobile environment, identifying redundant platforms, uncovering hidden costs, and laying out a clear path to clean up shop and regain control.
3. Define Your Ideal State
Inefficiencies uncovered, it’s time to envision what better looks like. What would it mean to have a fully integrated mobility ecosystem? One that delivers true device lifecycle management, from procurement to retirement? Remember that the goal isn’t just to simplify but to continuously optimize. What does that look like for you? This could be anything from saving time through automated logistics services to cutting costs by pinpointing billing inaccuracies.
4. Find the Right Partner
Consolidation doesn’t stop at device management. The real value comes from taking a broader view of your entire mobility lifecycle. When you reframe consolidation as a shift to end-to-end visibility and control, it becomes a growth enabler – something that drives the whole organization – instead of just a tech upgrade.
Find a partner with tailored MMS solutions that can integrate across your entire enterprise ecosystem: hardware, software, IT systems, finance systems, UEM systems (including multi-vendor support), and more. Our MMS platform, Tangoe One Mobile, takes it a step further by using advanced AI to unlock even greater efficiency, savings, and control at every turn.
Ready for Your Big Win?
This info is a great start for creating a smarter, more efficient mobility strategy that drives real business value. Explore IDC’s latest research for deeper insights and practical strategies to navigate today’s complex mobile landscape.
If you could use a partner to help assess your current environment, uncover inefficiencies, and build a more streamlined path forward, Tangoe’s MMS platform and Advisory Services team are here to help. Request a demo to see what that could look like for your organization.