With an increasing number of employees covered by organizations’ mobility policies, mobile device management has become an essential tool.

That’s why an increasing number of major companies are integrating MDM into their solutions.

The latest is Citrix Systems Inc., which has struck a deal to buy Zenprise Inc., a California-based MDM software company.

It makes

–MobileManager, an on-premise or hosted application that integrates with Microsoft Active Directory and other infrastructure that manages Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows mobile platforms;

–Zencloud, a cloud service run by Zenprize;

–and Zensuite, which manages mobile apps.

Citrix said these will be integrated with its CloudGateway and Me@Work MDM solutions.

“This powerful combination will give Citrix the first solution in the industry for managing mobile devices, apps and data from a single, integrated enterprise mobility product line,” the company said in a news release.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of next year.

“Zenprise was a clear choice for Citrix, with its leading MDM product, an experienced team, a history of innovation, and a footprint on more than one million devices,” said Sumit Dhawan, Citrix’s vice-president and general manager of mobile solutions. “With a complete Citrix enterprise mobility solution, customers have all the necessary pieces to manage and secure mobile apps, content and devices.”