How does Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager (SCMDM) work?

A few moments ago I presented at Microsoft Ltd's Architect Insight Conference near Windsor Castle in England. My session discussed architectural approaches to security management in a virtual World including a discussion explaining how System Center Mobile Device Manager (SCMDM) works.

It's important to be aware that in order to use SCMDM in the first instance your mobile devices need to be running Windows Mobile v6.1 - it will be a free upgrade for some handsets - that's entirely down to the policy of the hardware manufacturer.

Eileen Brown's post titled Managing your mobile devices provides some useful background information together with links to the System Center Mobile Device Manager trial download and the top level "tech center" TechNet site for SCMDM which itself includes the following excellent links:

Getting Started Guide for Mobile Device Manager

Overview of MDM • System Requirements • More…

Architecture for Mobile Device Manager

MDM System Architecture • How MDM Works • More…

Planning for Mobile Device Manager

Server Topologies • Checklists and Worksheets • More…

Deployment for Mobile Device Manager

Deployment Overview • Configuration and Installation Steps • More…

Operations for Mobile Device Manager

Device Management • Server Management • More…

Security and Protection for Mobile Device Manager

Security Architecture • Recommended Group Policy Settings • More…

Technical Reference for Mobile Device Manager

Deployment Reference • Operations Reference • More…

Troubleshooting Mobile Device Manager

Setup Issues • Enrollment Issues • Gateway Issues • More…

Technical Articles for Mobile Device Manager

Technical Articles • Whitepapers