The first comprehensive mobile device management or MDM solution for Microsoft (News - Alert) Office 365 has just been launched by Fiberlink. Collaboration and productivity tools are delivered through the cloud with Office 365. Apart from accessing hosted Exchange e-mails, Office 365 also provides web conferencing, documents and calendars on virtually any device. Enhanced security for iPhones, iPads, Androids and other mobile devices which connect to Office 365 will be now offered by the MaaS360 cloud-based platform.

Baseline security settings for controlling access to email from mobile devices are offered by Office 365. These security settings will be leveraged by most companies. The status of all mobile devices receiving corporate e-mail needs to be monitored. However, prior to e-mail delivery, it is also important for companies to enforce security standards and take swift action on a lost or compromised device.  Hence, more advanced capabilities will be required by IT organizations who are managing mobile devices with Office 365.

Access to corporate data from jail-broken and rooted devices can be completely blocked by the IT department with MaaS360. Apart from locating lost or stolen devices, MaaS360 can also block unsafe applications. Mobile devices accessing corporate data on Office 365 will also have access to advanced capabilities, as crucial security features needed to protect confidential corporate data on mobile devices are powered by MaaS360. These include Over-the-Air configuration management and selective data wipe. Additional features include automated compliance and policy enforcement, along with application and data management.

In a release, Josh Lambert senior product manager at Fiberlink said, “MaaS360 is the perfect complement to Office 365 for organizations that want a completely cloud-based solution to extend collaboration and productivity tools to their mobile workers. CIOs can now implement Office 365 with confidence that their data and mobile devices will remain secure.”

MaaS360 is offered as an on-demand subscription service, thus making it a true SaaS (News - Alert) solution for mobility. Apart from the 24x7 support, MaaS360 will also offer ongoing updates when new enhancements and features are released, allowing organizations to keep up with the rapid pace of mobility.