Canadian telecommunications company Telus launched "MDM Made Easy," which leverages technology and services from AirWatch by VMware and Vox Mobile for a mobile device management (MDM) solution.
The platform allows businesses to manage their smartphones and tablets through a user-friendly, cloud-based portal, as well as deploy an MDM solution without investing in infrastructure.
The cloud-based offering eliminates the need for on-premise hardware, while preconfigured user profiles are designed to simplify enrolling, configuring and updating devices.
The solution is powered by the AirWatch platform, which is leveraged by more than 13,000 global customers worldwide.
The cost of the program is $4-6 per connecting device per month, and there are tiers of the program that can be purchased in accordance with the organization's needs and mobile maturity level.
MDM Made Easy is built to be customized, with Telus business customers receiving a complimentary basic package for their devices and can add additional security features such as secure email, application scanning, file sharing and secure Web browsing.
The platform also allows businesses to manage mobile devices across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows and carriers.
Businesses can also purchase licenses to manage non-Telus devices, making it possible for companies with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs to employ the platform.
While the current program is for Canada and being distributed through Telus, the company is in current negotiations with U.S.-based carriers for a similar program, Kris Snyder, CEO of Vox Mobile, told eWEEK.
"With the further consumerization of enterprise programs via trends like BYOD, organizations require visibility, management and accountability of the actions that are being taken by employees," he said. "Having to segregate via different hardware platforms has hampered productivity and created duplicate expense streams from hardware, carrier connections, software and support. MDM is not the only answer to the challenge."
Snyder said most organizations have to analyze and decide on their functional approach to such trends as BYOD, and MDM is the enabling tool set to administer these policies. But even with good tools, organizations require expertise that creates the desired outcome, especially around security and compliance.
"MDM is similar to other IT security applications. You can operate your small business without a firewall or antivirus, but it is only a matter of time before the risk will catch up to you. It is also a reputational concern, with all of the data breaches that are in the news today that if your client’s information is compromised via a corporate mobile phone without the right enabled MDM capabilities, how will you explain the lack of prevention?" he said. "It is expected that responsible small business are taking the proper IT security measures in engaging in business today and this includes MDM."
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