Network Computing is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

  1. Home
  2. Wireless-infrastructure
  3. Mobileiron-4-tames-smartphone-sprawl-and-enables-private-apps
  4. Page
  5. MobileIron 4 Tames Smartphone Sprawl And Enables Private Apps: Page 2 of 2
Wireless Infrastructure

MobileIron 4 Tames Smartphone Sprawl And Enables Private Apps: Page 2 of 2

The media is abuzz with with predictions of just how big the bang can be that accompanies the explosion of smartphones and mobile broadband-enabled tablets going now in enterprises far and wide. While analysts look into their crystal balls, those who manage networks struggle with how to reconcile the popularity of mobile devices with corporate policy, and examine how they need to adjust their own approaches to balance device usefulness with organizational security. Enter MobileIron, the Tamer of
Lee Badman
December 06, 2010

With today's press release for MobileIron Version 4, two buzz-worthy features jump out. Predicting the desire for in-house developed applications for Apple's iOS 4 devices, MobileIron has secured the "trusted management platform" designation from Apple. This means that through MobileIron, in-house apps can be distributed outside of Apple's restrictive AppStore paradigm. Distribution of in-house apps is tightly controlled, and is designed to prevent them from leaking beyond organizational boundaries and can be limited to specific user groups.

Develop an app for the Sales Department, and R & D folks can't get to it if you don't want them to. MobileIron truly brings the same flexible management to the new apps portal as it provides for mobile devices.

The second big part of version 4 is a little more ambitious, and I'm a bit skeptical about how effective it will prove to be. For Android devices, MobileIron's latest provides rogue application protection. Got users downloading apps that you don't want them to have? You'll be alerted, and the users will be automatically warned. Sounds nice on corporate-owned devices, but could be a nightmare to manage on those owned by employees. Part of what I pay for with my data plan every month is the freedom to experiment with apps on my Droid, so I'm not sure how you draw the line between alert-worthy rogue apps versus those that are OK.

If you want to get a handle on what is likely one of the most fluid parts of your network (and yes, far-flung mobile devices are part of your network whether you care to admit it or not), MobileIron just might be what the doctor ordered.

Tags:

Commentary
Wireless Infrastructure