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Mobile Device Management and iOS 5

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October 21, 2011

Mobile Device Management and iOS 5

By Michelle Amodio, TMCnet Contributor


The collective response to the latest operating system for iOS devices has been mixed. With iOS 5, there has been a significant upgrade of Apple’s (News - Alert) mobile operating system, what with some 200 plus new features, and of course, the most talked about iCloud. For the enterprise, it raises some interesting questions when it comes to mobile device management.


Mobile device management can greatly reduce support costs and business risks and should optimize the functionality and security of a mobile communications network, while minimizing cost and downtime.

MobileIron, a mobile device management solutions provider has shed a lot of light on the iOS 5 for the enterprise dilemma. According to their website, MobileIron enables companies to deploy iPhones and iPads at scale by bridging the gap between the security IT needs and the experience end-users require and need. With iOS 5, there’s a lot to offer for just about every company, but it comes down to control.

For example, MobileIron’s mobile device management solution for iOS 5 allows IT to prevent apps from sending e-mails to prevent corporate e-mail address leakage.

Questions remain as how best to secure both device and data, however MobileIron states that IT can now turn off data and voice roaming unless the end-user is using a Wi-Fi connection to prevent costly data overruns. Restrictions are much easier to control also through either a mobile device management solution or iPhone (News - Alert) Configuration Utility.

With iOS 5, particularly with iCloud, highly security conscious companies have cause for concern and will probably flat out ban putting enterprise data in iCloud. However, with mobile device management, IT can now disallow apps from syncing with iCloud or iTunes.

With app deletion configured, the user will not be able to remove installed apps. With mobile device management, it’s possible to specify some apps which can stay and which need to go.

While smartphones were a major motivator in the push for bring your own device (BYOD), iOS devices have consolidated the move. According to MobileIron, enterprise IT has more visibility into what is happening with a device and more management options for security. This makes it safer and easier to allow employees to use their personal iOS devices for work when a mobile device management solution is in place.

Enterprise security professionals will welcome the advanced support for S/Mime e-mail encryption. iOS 5 now provides the ability to send and receive digitally signed and encrypted e-mail messages directly from the device. With this new iOS feature, sending encrypted e-mail could not be easier.

Many of the new features in iOS 5 will transform how mobile workers approach tasks and engage with co-workers. Others will be largely invisible but will significantly improve integration and productivity, especially with the right mobile device management solution.


Michelle Amodio is a TMCnet contributor. She has helped promote companies and groups in all industries, from technology to banking to professional roller derby. She holds a bachelor's degree in Writing from Endicott College and currently works in marketing, journalism, and public relations as a freelancer.

Edited by Jamie Epstein







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