TMCnews Featured Article
August 20, 2012
MobleIron's Toolkit Brings Speed and Agility to Mobile Device Management
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
A workplace trend toward increased mobility coupled with popular BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies has brought security and reliability issues to the forefront of corporate IT. Fortunately, the introduction of MobileIron software is making it easier for IT professionals to keep corporate networks secure by allowing mobile device management to run via one platform.
In BYTE’s recent interview with Ojas Rege, who serves as the VP of strategy for MobileIron, Rege addresses how the company’s software aids mobile device management in today’s corporate work environment.
Rege says that having a BYOD policy and sticking to it is important for IT professionals. Navigating the mobile trend is a little like sailing uncharted waters; you figure it out as you go. Whereas with traditional technology there is time to sit back and learn from others’ mistakes, IT doesn’t have that option. Having been thrown in head first, tech specialists must find ways to integrate new devices to the communications mix almost daily.
Not surprisingly, there have been more questions about mobile device management implementation than answers. He added that MobilIron has regularly fielded inquiries about how to establish user agreements and how baseline security guidelines should be addressed. Looking to others in the industry hasn’t been a big help either as the BYOD field is still relatively new.
BYTE questioned what business users would want to see in the next release of Windows compatible devices – devices delivering a customary Windows experience or something more along the lines of iOS/Android (News - Alert) functioning. Rege sided with the latter, citing that the industry is not what it used to be. He says expectations and user demands are evolving and vendors will be forced to keep pace.
According to Rege, MobileIron was created in response to new corporate mobile device management demands. Customers don’t want five separate applications to control e-mail, implement password guidelines, manage certificates, dispense documents, etc. That’s why MobileIron provides one platform from which IT professionals can manage everything.
MobileIron is different from others offering mobile device management in that it custom-created a corporate solution whereas other companies have tried to back into the business, hoping for a fit. Forcing the square into the circle has often been a death toll for an IT company, especially in the day and age of cloud computing.
Rege advises that for deployment to be successful, cross-functional teams must all be on board. Separating security, management responsibilities, and applications will only serve to hinder progress because no one will be able to agree on anything. He also says that organizations cannot be crippled by the fear of data loss. They must look at the bigger picture of what’s best for the business.
Additionally, he says that the mobile IT team must at least be UX ready to deliver quality service to mobile app end-users. They must also be flexible and ready to adapt to fast-paced changes as consumer demands are constantly shifting in new directions.
Finally, Rege emphasizes the importance of communication. The way the mobile IT department fields concerns from end-users will either help foster long-term relationships or will instill frustration and hinder acceptance.
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.
Edited by Jamie Epstein
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