Samsara’s Mobile Experience Management (MEM) solution has long served as a convenient, no-cost way for fleets to centrally manage mobile devices. But with Samsara announcing that MEM will be discontinued in 2029, organizations are left facing a critical decision: When should we make the move to a new endpoint management platform?

If your instinct is to wait until the last possible moment, it’s worth reconsidering. Sunsetting MEM sooner rather than later can strengthen your security posture, ensure smoother operations, and give your organization the time and flexibility it needs to transition effectively.

Why Moving Off MEM Early Is the Smart Move

1. Strengthen Security Before the Deadline

Mobile devices used by drivers and field employees are central to business operations. As MEM ages and approaches sunset, security risks naturally rise:

• Reduced updates and enhancements leading up to discontinuation
• Growing incompatibilities with new Android/iOS versions
• Increasing threats to unmanaged or lightly managed devices
• Lack of advanced security controls (Zero Trust policies, conditional access, phishing filters, OS hardening, etc.)

Waiting too long compresses your migration timeline and increases exposure. Transitioning early gives IT leaders time to implement a modern solution with robust, enterprise-ready security features.

2. Avoid Functional Decline as OS Requirements Evolve

Samsara has updated its mobile support policy annually to keep up with OS changes from Apple and Google, with recommended device requirements tied to the latest actively supported Android and iOS versions.

As MEM approaches sunset:

• Future OS releases may degrade app performance
• Device capabilities (camera, location, device control) may no longer work optimally
• MEM may become incompatible with evolving hardware requirements
• App deployment and device restrictions may fail or behave inconsistently

Moving early ensures operational continuity, a stable driver experience, and reduced troubleshooting overhead.

3. Minimize Disruption to Drivers and Dispatch

Driver-facing technology must just work. MEM today provides capabilities such as remote troubleshooting and in-motion safety lockouts to help keep drivers productive and safe.

But as the product heads toward retirement, issues may emerge:

• Higher support load due to aging platform
• Declining reliability in remote assistance
• Challenges in integrating with other modern fleet systems

Migrating now enables controlled comparisons, rollout waves, and proper training and testing—ensuring a smooth, secure, and cost-effective migration.

Best Practices for Transitioning to a New Endpoint Management Platform

As you look at other endpoint management providers, a thoughtful migration plan will ensure a smooth transition.

1. Audit Your Current Device Fleet

• Identify all devices enrolled in MEM
• Document OS versions, app versions, carrier plans, and usage profiles
• Flag devices that no longer meet recommended hardware or OS requirements

This helps define scope, budget, and readiness.

2. Choose a Platform That Supports Your Operational Reality

For logistics, transportation, and field-intensive workforces, prioritize:

• Strong Android support (especially for rugged devices)
• Automated device lifecycle management, including enrollment, provisioning, updates, and patching across major OS platforms.
• Robust remote support tools
• Competitive pricing and features
• Integration with existing identity systems

3. Choose a Trusted Partner

A knowledgeable Managed Mobile Services provider that specializes in endpoint management is key to a successful transition. It will:

• Run tests to ensure success with all the device types to be managed
• Build a staged rollout plan
• Help you use the transition to modernize by updating policies and security baselines:
  • Lockdown policies
  • Wi-Fi and APN configuration
  • OS update rings
  • Password/biometric standards
  • Mobile threat defense integrations
• Validate compliance before full mem sunset
  • All devices are properly enrolled in the new platform
  • MEM policies are removed
  • Compliance reports are all green
  • Drivers report stable, consistent performance

Why 42Gears Is a Strong Replacement for Samsara MEM

42Gears Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) offers a more robust and flexible platform than Samsara MEM, especially for logistics and field-based environments. It supports all major operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, giving organizations a unified way to manage mixed fleets of mobile and rugged devices.

Security is another major advantage. 42Gears includes compliance-aligned device security, identity management, and data protection features—far more extensive than MEM’s lightweight controls.

With deep integrations for provisioning and identity systems—such as Android Enterprise, Apple Business Manager, Windows Autopilot, Okta, and Azure AD—42Gears also streamlines rollouts and user authentication.

Overall, 42Gears delivers a mature, enterprise-grade endpoint management experience that offers stronger security, better scalability, and broader device compatibility—making it a natural successor for organizations leaving MEM behind.

Conclusion: Don’t Wait Until 2029

While Samsara’s MEM has delivered valuable capabilities, sunsetting it well before 2029 is the safest, most strategic choice. Transitioning early enhances security, ensures reliable functionality, and prevents last-minute operational disruptions.

Proactive migration gives your organization the time and flexibility to adopt a modern endpoint management platform that supports long-term stability—and keeps your drivers productive, safe, and connected.

As you plan your transition away from Samsara MEM, Stratix brings the expertise and support needed to make the move seamless. Our dedicated team of endpoint management specialists is faster, using industry best practices, and ensures transition security. Backed by decades of hands-on experience, we help organizations across transportation, logistics, and field services transition their device ecosystems with confidence.

From evaluating the right endpoint management platform to designing migration roadmaps, configuring policies, and providing ongoing 24/7 mobile support, Stratix ensures your new endpoint management environment is secure, scalable, and optimized for your frontline workforce.