Google today has taken a major step in bringing Android to the Enterprise. They’ve announced Android For Work on the Google Blog and here’s what it will do for enterprises:
- Work profiles – We’ve built on the default encryption, enhanced SELinux security enforcement and multi-user support in Android 5.0, Lollipop to create a dedicated work profile that isolates and protects work data. IT can deploy approved work apps right alongside their users’ personal apps knowing their sensitive data remains secured. People can use their personal apps knowing their employer only manages work data and won’t erase or view their personal content.
- Android for Work app – For devices running Ice Cream Sandwich through Kitkat, or that don’t run work profiles natively, we’ve created the Android for Work app. The app, which delivers secure mail, calendar, contacts, documents, browsing and access to approved work apps, can be completely managed by IT.
- Google Play for Work – Google Play for Work allows businesses to securely deploy and manage apps across all users running Android for Work, simplifying the process of distributing apps to employees and ensuring that IT approves every deployed app.
- Built-in productivity tools – For everyday business tasks, we’ve created a suite of business apps for email, contacts and calendar, which supports both Exchange and Notes and provides document editing capabilities for documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
To bring this to the marketplace, Google is partnering with a select number a Enterprise Mobility Management vendors. Two of them are from Canada and they are:
- BlackBerry is working with Google to bring support for Android for work to BES 12. Customers can get a preview in March and it should be rolling out in Q2 2015.
- SOTI who is the leading player in Enterprise Mobility Management for Android devices has announced support in MobiControl. One thing to note is that they have same day support for Android For Work. Meaning that customers will be able to get a version of MobiControl in their hands that supports Android For Work very quickly.
Android For Work is a game changer for Google. This I believe will kick support for Android in the enterprise up several notches. I’d recommend you keep an eye on this technology, and Enterprise Mobility Management vendors who work with Google to bring this technology to market.
SOTI First To Release Support For Android For Work…. And They’re Canadian Too!
Posted in Commentary with tags SOTI on March 2, 2015 by itnerdLast week, I wrote about the release of Android For Work by Google and the fact that two Canadian companies are part of a select group of Enterprise Mobility Management vendors that Google has tapped to bring Android For Work to market. Today at Mobile World Congress, SOTI Inc. has announced the immediate availability of MobiControl 12.1 which brings these new features:
So, why are the first and second points huge? SOTI is a company that up until last week, had not been on my radar. The fact that they beat better known companies such as BlackBerry, MobileIron, SAP, IBM, AirWatch, and Citrix to market with support for Android For Work and the new Galaxy S6 shows that this company, which is based in Canada by the way, is one to keep an eye on. They clearly have the resources to play with companies that are better known than they are.
I for one will be adding this company to my Google Alerts. You might want to do the same.
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