Samsung Knox Manage Alternative: Why IT Fleets Choose Hexnode

Hexnode UEM

Hexnode’s architectural strength lies in its broad, platform-agnostic coverage. It is designed to act as a single pane of glass for diverse environments. It supports traditional knowledge-worker devices alongside specialized frontline endpoints.

Core OS Support:

• Apple Ecosystem: Supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and visionOS, and uses Apple Business Manager for automated device enrollment and VPP app distribution.
• Android & Specialized OS: Supports Android Enterprise (Device Owner and Work Profile) and legacy Android, and natively manages Amazon Fire OS, which is useful for organizations using cost-effective tablets for digital signage or kiosks.
• Windows & Linux: Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, and provides dedicated management for Linux endpoints and Google ChromeOS devices.
• Rugged & IoT Devices: Provides OEM-specific integrations with rugged manufacturers including Zebra, Honeywell, Kyocera, and LG GATE.

Samsung Knox Manage

Samsung Knox Manage is a cross-platform EMM optimized for the Samsung ecosystem, with management capabilities for other major operating systems as well.

Core OS Support:

• Android & Samsung Ecosystem: More support for Android devices, particularly Samsung Galaxy hardware. It requires Android 11 and higher for Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) compliance, but supports basic enrollment for Android 10+. It uniquely offers native management for Wear OS (version 4.0 and higher) and Samsung DeX environments.
• Apple Ecosystem: Supports iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, deploying internal macOS apps as PKG files; Apple TV (tvOS) and visionOS are not among its supported platforms.
• Windows & ChromeOS: Supports Windows 10 (version 1703 and higher) and Windows 11, alongside ChromeOS 120 and higher.
• Unsupported Platforms: Linux, Fire OS, and Apple TV (tvOS) are not among Knox Manage’s supported platforms, so organizations that also manage Apple TVs, Linux endpoints, or Fire tablets can consolidate that coverage under Hexnode UEM.

Hexnode UEM

Hexnode’s architectural strength lies in its cross-platform flexibility. It allows IT to use native, zero-touch provisioning tools and silent application deployments across all major ecosystems.

Zero-Touch Provisioning:

• Multi-OS Automation: Integrates with Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) for macOS, iOS, and tvOS, Android Zero-Touch Enrollment, and Windows Autopilot.
• Samsung KME & Rugged Support: Supports Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment (KME), which keeps bulk enrollment persistent even after a factory reset, and ROM-based enrollment for rugged Android devices, embedding the agent into the firmware so it survives factory resets.
• Headless Linux Deployment: Offers specialized CLI-based (Command Line Interface) enrollment for Linux devices, allowing rapid, headless provisioning for servers or IoT gateways (like Raspberry Pi) without requiring graphical user interfaces.

Application Lifecycle Management:

• Silent Deployment: Administrators can silently install, update, and uninstall applications over-the-air without user intervention on supervised iOS/macOS devices, Windows 10/11 PCs, and Android Enterprise (Device Owner) or Samsung Knox devices.
• Custom App Catalogs & Kiosks: IT can curate enterprise app catalogs so users can self-serve approved applications. Hexnode can also update in-house enterprise apps and the agent in the background while a device stays locked in kiosk mode on supported Android devices (such as Samsung Knox and Android Enterprise Device Owner), reducing downtime for frontline devices.
• tvOS App Management: Hexnode supports deploying in-house enterprise apps and VPP store apps to Apple TV (tvOS) devices for digital signage or conference room setups.

Samsung Knox Manage

Knox Manage is optimized for the Android and Samsung ecosystems and also supports cross-platform enrollment and application deployment across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, and ChromeOS.

Zero-Touch Provisioning:

• Samsung KME: As a Samsung product, Knox Manage offers a integrated experience for Knox Mobile Enrollment (KME) and Android Zero-Touch, enrolling devices directly into Fully Managed, Work Profile, or Dedicated device modes out of the box.
• Cross-Platform Support: Supports Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE) for iOS and macOS, as well as Windows bulk provisioning via PPKG and Entra ID integration.

Application Lifecycle Management:

• Android App Excellence: Integrates with Managed Google Play, allowing admins to silently deploy public apps, web apps, and internal APKs, configure app tracks, and set strict automatic update maintenance windows.
• macOS App Deployment: Knox Manage deploys VPP apps and internal macOS apps as PKG files, and since version 25.01 also as DMG files through its macOS agent, with the option to install them automatically or make them available for user download.
• Specialized-OS App Deployment: Apple TV (tvOS) and Amazon Fire OS are not among Knox Manage’s supported platforms, while Hexnode supports app deployment to both.

Hexnode UEM

Hexnode’s security architecture is built to unify compliance and data protection across multiple operating systems. This helps leveraging zero-trust principles and OS-native controls.

Certifications & Infrastructure:

• Holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification (issued by BSI) and has completed a SOC 2 Type 2 report.
• Corporate data is protected with encryption at rest across its AWS-based infrastructure and TLS for data in transit.

Core Security Features:

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Enforces app containerization through work profiles, with managed-app data controls that restrict copy/paste and data sharing into unmanaged apps, and restrictions on hardware interfaces such as USB, Bluetooth, and tethering.
• Encryption Management: Enforces and manages native full-disk encryption tools across platforms, including BitLocker for Windows and FileVault for macOS.
• Advanced Compliance & Zero Trust: Allows administrators to build custom, multi-condition compliance rules using AND/OR logic to check for geofence breaches, jailbroken/rooted status, battery telemetry, and blocklisted apps. Hexnode also acts as an official Microsoft Intune third-party device compliance partner to enforce risk-based Conditional Access.
• Threat Defense Integrations: Natively integrates with Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions like Check Point Harmony Mobile to proactively detect malware, phishing attacks, and malicious botnets.

Samsung Knox Manage

Samsung Knox Manage’s security model is anchored in Samsung hardware, and its capabilities are its chip-to-cloud security features for Samsung Galaxy devices, alongside management for other operating systems.

Foundation & Frameworks:

• Built directly on the Samsung Knox Platform for Enterprise (KPE), a multilayered security platform extending from the chipset (featuring a Trusted Execution Environment) up to the OS and application layer.

Core Security Features:

• Dual Data-at-Rest (DAR) Encryption: Supports Knox Dual DAR on Samsung devices, adding two separate layers of encryption so that devices are fully protected even when powered off or in an unauthenticated state.
• Data Isolation & Containerization: Isolates and encrypts business apps and data in strict enterprise containers, ensuring malicious third-party apps cannot access corporate data. If an employee leaves, IT can remotely wipe the business partition without touching personal data.
• Granular Hardware Controls: Knox Manage can control user interactions at a micro-level on Samsung devices. For example, it can disallow screen captures to meet healthcare regulatory requirements. It can also restrict USB modes and mandate biometric or multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Network & Telemetry Analytics: Supports the configuration of EMM-based Network Platform Analytics (NPA) tools to monitor active networks and gather statistics for long sessions, aiding in forensic threat evaluation.

Hexnode UEM

Hexnode is platform-agnostic, offering integrations that span identity management, IT service management, and security tools across major operating systems, feeding device data into your existing tech stack.

Identity & Directory Services:

• Cloud Identity: Natively integrates with Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), Okta, and Google Workspace. It supports Single Sign-On (SSO) for device enrollment, replacing generic passwords with directory-backed authentication.
• On-Premise: Supports Microsoft Active Directory for directory integration and policy assignment.

ITSM & Helpdesk Automation:

• ServiceNow: Technicians can view Hexnode user incidents in ServiceNow and run remote device actions, such as locking or scanning a device and installing or uninstalling apps directly from a ServiceNow incident, while Hexnode admins can view ServiceNow incidents in the Hexnode console.
• Ticketing Systems: Natively integrates with Freshservice and Zendesk, allowing helpdesk agents to view real-time device diagnostics without switching consoles.

Security & Compliance:

• Compliance Automation: Integrates with Vanta to automate evidence collection for compliance frameworks such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001.
• Mobile Threat Defense (MTD): Connects with Check Point Harmony Mobile to ingest “Risk Scores” and trigger automated quarantines if a device connects to a compromised network or installs malicious software.
• Rugged OEMs: OEM-specific integrations with rugged manufacturers including Zebra, Honeywell, Kyocera, and LG GATE.

Developer Tools & Custom Automations:

• RESTful API & Webhooks: Provides a JSON REST API for custom workflows and webhooks for event listening; for example, when a device breaches a geofence, Hexnode can push an alert to Slack or Microsoft Teams.

Samsung Knox Manage

Knox Manage serves as a cornerstone of the Samsung mobility ecosystem. As a result, it focuses its integrations on secure identity federation, lifecycle management, and enterprise-grade security partnerships.

Identity & Access Management:

• Microsoft Entra ID: Integrates via the Microsoft Graph API to sync users and groups for policy assignment. It also supports Azure AD Single Sign-On for administrators logging into the Knox Admin portal.
• Okta: Supports SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) API integration with Okta for automated user and group provisioning, attribute syncing, and deactivation.
• Active Directory: Integrates with on-premise AD and LDAP environments utilizing the Samsung Cloud Connector (SCC) to synchronize directory data securely behind the corporate firewall.

ITSM & Lifecycle Management:

• ServiceNow (Zero Touch Mobility): Integrates directly into ServiceNow via the Samsung SDS “Zero Touch Mobility” application. This integration allows ServiceNow to act as a central control tower for full cradle-to-grave device support. It also allows automating EMM enrollment, forward/reverse logistics, and hardware buy-back requests natively within the ServiceNow workspace.

Security & Specialized Workflows:

• Healthcare & Access: Integrates with specialized platforms like Imprivata Mobile Access Management (MAM) to deploy the Imprivata Locker app within Android Kiosk mode for shared clinical devices.
• VPN & Network Security: Supports integrations with enterprise VPN and security gateways, such as Ivanti Secure Access Client (ICS) and Cisco Security Cloud Control, to enforce secure network access for managed endpoints.

Developer Tools & Custom Automations:

• Knox Manage REST API: Provides a robust OpenAPI secured via OAuth 2.0. This allows enterprise developers to programmatically manage users and groups, apply policies, send remote device commands, and extract audit logs.

Hexnode UEM

Hexnode follows a per-device pricing model, so organizations can forecast budgets and scale based on the number of devices managed, regardless of operating system.

Licensing Details:

• Licensing Model: Organizations pay per managed device, and Hexnode offers multiple tiers to match different needs.
• Billing Options: Offers the flexibility of both monthly and annual billing cycles.
• Minimums: A subscription requires a minimum of 15 devices to get started.
• Support: Hexnode provides technical support through chat, email, and phone.
• Trial: Provides a 14-day free trial with access to the Ultra feature set so IT teams can test advanced features before committing.

Samsung Knox Manage

Samsung offers Knox Manage as a subscription service and integrates it into its broader enterprise software portfolio. Because it is a massive enterprise mobility solution, its procurement and pricing structure often involves authorized Samsung resellers.

Licensing Details:

• Licensing Model: Offered primarily on a subscription basis. Organizations can procure Samsung Knox Manage as a standalone EMM, but they more commonly purchase it as part of the comprehensive Knox Suite. The suite provides an all-in-one license for Knox Manage, Knox Mobile Enrollment, Knox E-FOTA (for OS update management), and Knox Asset Intelligence.
• Purchasing Channel: Authorized Samsung enterprise IT resellers and carrier partners typically sell Knox Manage and the Knox Suite. As a result, they generally provide quote-based pricing tailored to the size and scope of each deployment.
• Support & Add-ons: While standard support is provided, organizations running highly complex, global IT infrastructures can leverage Samsung Enterprise Technical Support for dedicated 24/7 assistance.

Hexnode UEM

Hexnode provides direct support channels alongside self-service educational resources for IT teams.

Support Channels:

• Direct Availability: Administrators can contact the Hexnode support team directly through live chat on the website, email, or the ticketing system.
• Phone Support: Provides toll-free phone numbers in regions including the US, UK, and Australia, along with direct lines for other regions.

Self-Service & Community:

• Hexnode Academy: Provides free, self-paced courses and hands-on labs, along with paid certification exams at Professional and Expert levels for managing iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and tvOS.
• Knowledge Base & Developers: Provides help documentation, how-to videos, and a developer portal with API documentation for building custom integrations.
• Community Forum: Additionally, Hexnode operates Hexnode Connect, a dedicated community forum where IT administrators can discuss best practices, troubleshoot issues, and share custom scripts.

Samsung Knox Manage

Organizations often procure Samsung Knox Manage as part of large-scale hardware rollouts or bundle it with Knox Suite. As a result, Samsung has built its support model for global scale and relies heavily on its partner network.

Support Channels:

• Tiered Enterprise Support: Standard support tickets can be submitted directly through the Knox portal. However, organizations with complex, global IT infrastructures typically rely on Samsung Enterprise Technical Support. As a result, they receive dedicated 24/7 vendor assistance and advanced troubleshooting.
• Partner-Led First Line: Because authorized Samsung enterprise IT resellers and carrier partners predominantly sell Knox Manage, they often provide your first line of support and account management after deploying the solution.

Self-Service & Community:

• Knox Documentation: Samsung provides a detailed Knox Admin Guide, how-to videos, and extensive release notes covering the entirety of the Knox Suite (Knox Manage, Knox E-FOTA, Knox Mobile Enrollment).
• Developer & Partner Resources: Samsung offers a robust partner portal and developer resources, focusing heavily on ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) integrating with the Knox Service Plugin (KSP) and the Knox API.
• Case Studies & Insights: Samsung provides enterprise case studies, webinars, and technical blogs detailing deployments across industries such as government, healthcare, and logistics.