Computerworld -
One of the biggest technology trends this year has been the continuing influx of consumer-oriented devices into the workplace. From iPads and iPhones to Android phones and tablets, 2011 will go down as the year the consumerization of IT reached a critical mass. It's no longer a question of whether IT departments will support and embrace consumer-first devices, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs and the expanded sphere of mobile platforms -- now, the issue is more about when and how.
IT departments have a lot to keep in mind: identifying employee-owned devices on the network; selecting recommended platforms for users; provisioning devices for secure access and centralized monitoring (whether company- or employee-owned); dealing with lost or stolen devices; easily wiping corporate data from employee devices; coordinating volume purchases from public app stores (particularly Apple's); and publishing in-house apps.
Most of these needs can be handled with any of several mobile device management (MDM) suites such as MobileIron, Sybase Afaria, AirWatch, Tangoe and even RIM's recently announced BlackBerry Mobile Fusion. Each offers a specific set of supported platforms, features, and enterprise systems integration tools.
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Computerworld - One of the biggest technology trends this year has been the continuing influx of consumer-oriented devices into the workplace. From iPads and iPhones to Android phones and tablets, 2011 will go down as the year the consumerization of IT reached a critical mass. It's no longer a question of whether IT departments will support and embrace consumer-first devices, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs and the expanded sphere of mobile platforms -- now, the issue is more about when and how.
IT departments have a lot to keep in mind: identifying employee-owned devices on the network; selecting recommended platforms for users; provisioning devices for secure access and centralized monitoring (whether company- or employee-owned); dealing with lost or stolen devices; easily wiping corporate data from employee devices; coordinating volume purchases from public app stores (particularly Apple's); and publishing in-house apps.
Most of these needs can be handled with any of several mobile device management (MDM) suites such as MobileIron, Sybase Afaria, AirWatch, Tangoe and even RIM's recently announced BlackBerry Mobile Fusion. Each offers a specific set of supported platforms, features, and enterprise systems integration tools.
But that's just scratching the surface of the management needs likely to arise as more workers bring their devices into the office.
MDM is just the beginning
Knowing that you can meet the core security needs of your designated list of platforms is a great start: the sheer number and quality of options already available should help IT managers breath a little easier.
But, to paraphrase the old Chinese axiom, knowing that you can meet those needs is only the first step in a journey that can seem a thousand miles long.
The next few steps on that journey are all about figuring out what type of management -- and how much -- you actually need. The specifics can vary dramatically from one type of business to another and even from one job function to another at the same company. Identifying those specifics accurately can make selecting and implementing an MDM strategy easier and will deliver better results.
The bare minimum
At the most basic level, there are three core needs that should be a default part of any mobile strategy:
Device provisioning and setup: You need some way to set up devices and install needed content like apps, security certificates, user accounts for email or for access to other internal resources, and network access.
Remote wipe: The ability to wipe data is key. For employee-owned devices, this may include a need to leave non-business data intact, something that's not as big a deal with company-owned devices.
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