Odyssey Software (News - Alert), Inc., provider of enterprise-class mobile device management (MDM) products has released the fifth version of its successful Athena for Configuration Manager for enhanced enterprise mobility.

Athena for Configuration Manager v5.0 delivers remote mobile device management for both Apple (News - Alert) iOS and Android platforms along with other popular mobile devices such as BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows 7 phones.

TMCnet spoke exclusively with Mark Gentile (News - Alert), CEO of Odyssey Software who explained Athena for Configuration Manager v5.0 as providing enterprises with the tools they need to secure and control their devices whether for corporate or personal use.

Odyssey Software understands that with iOS and Android (News - Alert) platforms becoming the most popular and frequently used operating systems out there, it was time for Athena to be able to support them as well.

Gentile read in a recent report that every second, two iPhones are activated along with 300,000 Android activations a day. “At that kind of rate, there’s no wonder that enterprises are calling us to manage and control these devices,” he added.

“The popularity of iOS and Android devices is being carried into the enterprise, and many companies are allowing employee liable devices to connect to corporate networks and information,” said Gentile. “Securing corporate data on these devices is a critical challenge for IT administrators. Athena now provides expanded capabilities for managing and securing iOS and Android along with today’s most popular device platforms. With Athena, organizations are assured that all their mobile device management needs are addressed by one solution.”

Odyssey also prides Athena as being one of the most secure configuration managers on the market. Gentile explained that any computer that can connect to a corporate network, whether a smartphone or laptop, is a liability because it can exploit the company’s sensitive information.

The issue of security is top of mind for enterprises that are in the business for protecting their clients identities and undisclosed information. 

Athena controls and manages many different industries that are looking for the benefits of enterprise mobility with the security that is necessary for deployment. Industries such as retail, technology, airlines, education, healthcare and even the government take advantage of the control and security that Athena for Configuration Manager v5.0 has to offer.

Gentile added that Athena for Configuration Manager v5.0 is perfect for users who plan on sharing a device such as a tablet. The new version allows users to have their own settings based on what they plan to use the device for. For example, there may be different software and capabilities on a platform being shared by a nurse and a doctor in the healthcare industry. The Configuration Manager was designed to adhere to the specifications of any industry.

The newest version also includes an enterprise mobile library where corporate app stores can be created and accessed. Customers can add necessary information, data sheets and even training videos to share for the benefit of their staff.  

“Apple iOS and the Android platforms are expected to be the fastest growing wireless operating systems from now until 2013 and by then, IDC (News - Alert) forecasts that worldwide shipments of smartphones will surpass 700 million units,” said Stephen Drake, mobility and telecom program vice president at IDC. “With this increase in usage of these devices in the enterprise comes the growing demand to remotely manage these devices to enforce policies, enhance productivity and drive efficient operations for workers. Solutions such as Odyssey Software’s Athena addresses the need for enterprise to manage iOS and Android along with other leading mobile devices from a unified platform.”

According to the release, Athena does not require additional server-side components or consoles, unlike all other device management products, which require their own proprietary server, console or database infrastructure.  Contrary to traditional management offerings, Athena is specifically architected to be flexible, modular and seamless to integrate.