IT research firm Gartner, Inc. (IT) published its Magic Quadrant report for mobile device management (MDM) back in May to recognize some familiar MDM vendors, including AirWatch, MobileIron, BoxTone, and Tangoe, for their achievements. Now Gartner has gone deeper with a new Magic Quadrant report in a particular area of mobility: managed mobility services (MMS).

MDM and MMS are not the same. According to Gartner, “MMS are generally consumed as bundled IT and process services in conjunction with mobility management software (inclusive of MDM software).” MDM is only part of the solution. Sounds pretty much like what managed services providers offer to their customers when they also manage MDM.

Gartner said it breaks MMS down into six categories: sourcing and logistics management, mobile service management, device and system management, application and messaging management, security and content management and program and financial management. This Magic Quadrant is based on tactical, device-centric and operational services, the firm stated.

So here’s a look at Gartner’s picks for MMS. A quick glance at the Leaders and Challengers quadrants provide a clear view of the fact that this market is one that has only just gotten started.

Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for MMS

Gartner said it evaluates each provider on “its ability to articulate statements regarding current and future market direction and plans for innovation in addressing ongoing customer needs and competitive forces.”

Leaders

For a vendor to be placed into this quadrant, they needed to be able to prove that they have developed and invested in systems and resources to address the growing needs of this particular market.

No vendor was placed into this quadrant.

Challengers

To fit into the Challengers qudrant, vendors “must have a track record of meeting core requirements with consistent service capabilities and service levels.”

No vendor fit these requirements.

Niche Players

According to Gartner, “Niche Players are typically specialists with more focused service portfolios that service relatively few vertical markets or focus on limited mobility platform.”

Vox Mobile, Enterprise Mobile, Stratix, DMI, Motorola Solutions, MOBI Wireless Management, Telefonica (TEF), Deutsche Telekom, WidePoint Solutions, Orange, and AT&T were placed into this qudrant.

Visionaries

“Visionaries have an innovative and disruptive view of mobility and its effect on the enterprise; however, their service capabilities are highly dependent on the use of privately-labeled subcontractors and they frequently have limited service portfolios in terms of breadth and depth,” Gartner said.

The research firm placed Tangoe, Unisys, IBM, Accenture, Atos, Vodafone, and Tata Consultancy Services into this quadrant.

Gartner projected that there will be further investments in tools and personnel for MMS service delivery. Expect to see significant buying activity by larger providers to acquire the skill sets and capabilities related to MMS.