Macheen Inc. is a major mobile cloud application services firm. Macheen recently released a new version of Pinpoint Services. While cloud services providers give companies the ability to control access levels, roles, and applications in the cloud, Macheen's new Pinpoint Services application applies policy controls to data access. This will allow companies with Pinpoint Services to dramatically lower their roaming mobile data costs. 

High demand users can be identified via the usage reporting in Pinpoint Services. These users might be best moved to mobile data plans with unlimited data transfers. Macheen's software permits companies to turn off location services when the user is roaming. They can be asked to use the GPS feature in their phone or Google (News - Alert) Maps to determine where they are instead of letting location services use up the phone's data allowance. Companies and individuals can set up their phones to automatically reduce bandwidth when they are "roaming." This will reduce roaming mobile data costs, since users may decide not to access the web remotely if they are aware of the additional cost. 

Restrictions and Limitations

Pinpoint Services software allows companies to limit data access to only company approved sites, such as corporate benefits websites and the company's cloud. However, some users will need to be able to research competitors' products or look up a customer's contact information. In this case, the Pinpoint Services controls can be used to restrict software downloads and content access while granting broad internet access. For example, a company could limit data transfers to only allow users to access files on the corporate server and search engines while abroad, while preventing them from downloading songs, visiting gambling or porn websites, or watching online movies while on travel. 

Good News for Businesses

Pinpoint Services allows companies to distinguish corporate approved data connections and other types of data transfers. Companies can then receive a split bill, one for the business use and one for the personal use. Employees could be billed for personal usage of the business phone, lowering company costs. 

The service gives businesses the ability to right-size data plans, just as they can allocate space for virtual servers and collaborative spaces. The overall telecommunication costs for the business will go down. With advanced notice, those about to travel cross-country or internationally will receive upgraded data plans to accommodate their needs. 

Pinpoint Services lets companies manage users from a single portal and manage users as either individuals or groups. User maintenance becomes much simpler, while a missing or stolen phone is quickly deactivated. Macheen's Pinpoint Services has the potential to significantly lower data plan costs and roaming charges, without interfering with the access road warriors need.