Mobile Device Manage Product Comparisons

Below are different vendors and their Mobile Device Management solutions.

Vendors:

Good.com for Enterprise

Trellia MDM

Fiberlink MaaS360

Sophos Mobile Control Solution

MobileIron Virtual Smartphone Platform

SOTI.net MobiControl

Articles:

Ars Technica discusses Private App Stores for Business

RIM announces its upcoming "Mobile Fusion" MDM for iOS and Android (2012Q1)

Comparison Resources:

For iOS Devices - MDM Solutions (in a handy Tabbed Table)

For a full list of comparisons, click here

Apple posts record $13.06bn quarterly profits, up 118%

Apple reported record-breaking net profits for the three months to 31 December 2011 of $13.06bn (£8.36bn), up 118% from the same period in 2010. The company also sold 37 million iPhones, more than twice as many as it sold in the last quarter of 2010.

"Apple's momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline," said chief executive Tim Cook. The firm is expected to release its iPad 3 in March this year. "We are very happy to have generated over $17.5bn in cash flow from operations during the December quarter," said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple's CFO. "Looking ahead to the second fiscal quarter of 2012, we expect revenue of about $32.5bn and we expect diluted earnings per share of about $8.50."

Apple's shares rose 6.8% in early trading on the Nasdaq technology stock exchange following the opening on Wall Street, reaching a new high of $449, and valuing the company at almost $420bn (£270bn).

Strong sales

Analyst reaction has been very positive on the news. "We're right in the middle of a transition from feature phones to smart phones and Apple is doing an amazing job in generating profits from this," Colin Gillis at BGC Partners told the BBC.

Carolina Milanesi, at Gartner said: "As expected this was a blow out quarter for Apple across businesses." "This to me demonstrates that consumers and businesses alike are continuing to see the value of Apple's end to end offering." Apple saw strong sales for both its iPads and its Mac range of computers, rising 111% and 26% respectively compared to the same period in 2010.  In contrast, sales of Apple's portable music player, the iPod, fell by 21%

Mobile apps moving into the office

Looking for ways to do business more efficiently? It turns out there’s an app for that.

As the smartphone revolution expands into the workplace, growing demands for software programs that allow employees to work faster, smarter and from anywhere have created a new market for mobile applications designed specifically for business.

Once the domain of consumers interested in reading the news, playing games and connecting with friends, mobile apps are becoming one of the top technology priorities for business.

Industry analysts predict that mobile enterprise applications will be one of the biggest business trends in 2012 as organizations look for new ways to streamline operations and stay ahead of rivals. A 2010 report by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan predicted that by 2015, companies will be spending nearly $7-billion contracting out the development of mobile apps.

“It is starting to happen in a big way,” said Mark Lowenstein, managing director of Mobile Ecosystem, a Massachusetts-based wireless consulting firm. “Companies are realizing that these devices can be used for a pretty strategic competitive advantage.”

It’s a shift driven largely by the increasing sophistication of tablets and smartphones, combined with a push from employees to equip their personal devices with apps that allow them to work on the go.

“Now with the growth of iPhone and with Android devices and so on, employees are saying, ‘I use this extensively in my personal life. [I] don’t want to carry two devices, I want to be able to use this for business as well as personal functions,’” Mr. Lowenstein said.

Mobile enterprise apps could change the way companies do business. Instead of clunky laptops or stacks of paper, employees can use tablet computers in meetings to provide a visual snapshot of products or projections. Salespeople can access up-to-the-minute inventory data needed to make a sale. They can also instantly record transactions in the company’s system as they happen, rather than waiting until the end of the week when they could forget vital information.

“When you think about business going forward, you’re going to think about what you can do at your desk and what you can do online,” said Maribel Lopez, principal analyst at Lopez Research, a mobile consulting firm based in San Francisco. “Basically, business is moving mobile and mobile is the business.”

But adopting a mobile enterprise strategy comes with challenges, such as deciding what functions should be incorporated into an app, how to roll it out across the organization, and how to ensure security.

“There’s a lot of challenges,” Ms. Lopez said. “There’s a lot of reasons this didn’t happen before.” Underlying these issues is the question of whether businesses can ensure a return on their investment. That’s why organizations must ask hard questions about which apps should be created and where they need to be in an organization, Ms. Lopez said.

In the sales department, for instance, apps could eliminate time-consuming phone calls or the need to carry often-outdated price books.

But employees who focus on creating content and who do most of their work behind a desk may not benefit in the same way, and focusing on that area could end up wasting, not saving, resources. The shift toward business-centred mobile apps will bring solutions to many of these problems, Mr. Lowenstein predicts, such as the emergence of better security, including the improved ability for IT departments to conduct remote wipes and locks if devices are lost or stolen.

But the logistics of setting up an app system has other challenges as well. Should apps be outsourced or created in-house? Should the company create an internal program, similar to iTunes, where apps can be downloaded? How do you ensure updates are continually pushed onto devices? And, most importantly, how do you persuade employees to use apps?

It’s critical that organizations consider these challenges, Ms. Lopez said, because it’s becoming clear that having a strong mobile enterprise app strategy will be necessary to be competitive. “This is the year when [businesses will] start getting really serious about their apps for their employees,” Ms. Lopez said. “Mobile is going to be an integral part. You need to figure out how to best leverage that.”

iPad 2 & Mobile Broadband Promotion

The iPad 2 is a great device, there's no end to what you can do it. The device comes with a long list of features; Thinner, lighter, faster, features FaceTime, 10 hour battery, HD Video, Super-fast graphics, Dual-Core A5 chip and two cameras.

We currently have an offer running on the iPad 2 and Mobile Broadband for a limited time only.
You'll receive a discount on your new iPad 2 when you sign up for Mobile Broadband and a FREE iPad 2 screen protector. iPad 2/iPad 2 + Mobile Broadband prices are below:

iPad 2 16GB (3G) = £399
iPad 2 32GB (3G) = £485
iPad 2 64GB (3G) = £550

iPad 2 16GB (3G) + Mobile Broadband = £369
iPad 2 32GB (3G) + Mobile Broadband = £465
iPad 2 64GB (3G) + Mobile Broadband = £525

Mobile Broadband prices:

24 Month contract (cost per month)
1GB @ £7.50 and 2GB @ £13.50
Unlimited  UK Wi-Fi
Prices ex VAT. Terms and conditions apply

iPad 2 Accessories

Marware MicroShell Folio case for iPad 2 / Black - £30.00
The Marware MicroShell Folio is an ultra sleek iPad 2 shell case that improves upon traditional shell cases by including a smooth rubberized shell for the back and a versatile, protective lid for the display. Plus, as an added bonus, the protective lid doubles as a foldable stand, ideal for multiple  viewing angles or FaceTime usage.

Marware Eco-Vue case for iPad 2 / Black Leather - £30.00
The Marware MicroShell Folio is an ultra sleek iPad 2 shell case that improves upon traditional shell cases by including a smooth rubberized shell for the back and a versatile, protective lid for the display. Plus, as an added bonus, the protective lid doubles as a foldable stand, ideal for multiple viewing angles or FaceTime usage.

Kensington KeyFolio Bluetooth Keyboard Case for iPad 2 - £60.00
The Kensington KeyFolio™ not only protects your iPad when on the road but also provides a handy rechargeable and wireless Bluetooth® keyboard with hands-free stand when you reach your destination. The rubberized keys were specially designed to cushion your iPad screen from bumps and scratches when the folio is closed.

Kensington PowerBolt Micro Car Charger - £15.00
Turn drive time into charge time with the Kensington PowerBolt Micro Car Charger. With 2.1 Amps, there's plenty of power to give your iPad, iPhone and iPod a quick charge. And its ultra low-profile design blends nicely into your vehicle's interior.

Prices exc VAT
Subject to stock availability. T&C Apply
Offer ends 31st March 2012

Flying Start Promotion - 3 Months Free Fixed Line Rental

3 months free line rental on your business fixed line and/or broadband

52% of enterprises have between three and eight different communications suppliers, and that 91% of businesses find tracking costs across multiple suppliers difficult. In addition, by switching your fixed services to join your mobile account with us, you’ll make substantial savings plus enjoy one bill from O2.

To get your business off to a flying start, we have some fantastic new propositions available to our customers. Receive three months free line rental on your business broadband and/or fixed line when you join O2 fixed services by 31 March 2012 and is subject to a 24 month contract. The promotion covers all our business broadband tariffs – Home Office, Office 10 and Access and all our fixed landline tariffs – for both analogue and ISDN 2/30 lines and channels.

Buying bundles of inclusive minutes controls call costs

Calls to UK landlines & mobiles:  from 1.5p a minute with a bundle
Incl. calls to O2

Key Benefits

- Contact us for a free savings review (we just need a copy of a recent fixed line bill)
- One integrated bill for mobile and fixed
- One customer service helpdesk (24/7)
- Less paperwork for you

Make an Enquiry

Inclusive minute bundles include calls to standard UK landlines and mobiles
Research source: (Coleman Parkes Research 2010)

Fiberlink Named a Mobile Device Management Innovator

Fiberlink®, the leader in software-as-a-service solutions for secure mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM), today announced that it has been named an "innovator" in a January 2012 Forrester Research, Inc. report on mobile device management vendors and solutions. The report, "Market Overview: Cloud-Hosted Mobile Device Management Solutions and Managed Services," cites Fiberlink as one of two innovators in a landscape of more than 40 vendors.

"...Fiberlink's single pane of glass, web-based console and experience with and commitment to security and compliance in the cloud computing arena has earned the vendor traction with the US federal government and a place on customers' shortlists," noted Forrester Research Principal Analyst Benjamin Gray and Researcher Christian Kane in the report.

Fiberlink was among 24 vendor companies that were interviewed for this report, and found to be an innovator in cloud MDM. The report shows which vendor companies have certain criteria among core mobile device management, mobile security management, mobile application management and differentiation. Vendors were segmented into four groups, innovators, new entrants, best-of-breed and services.

"The need for visibility into and control over corporate and personally-owned mobile devices that enter the workplace has never been more important," said Jim Sheward, chief executive officer at Fiberlink. "We are excited that Forrester Research has recognized Fiberlink's innovation and contributions to the mobile device management marketplace."

Delivered as a true cloud service, MaaS360 is the only solution that provides instant availability from the web to a single console for managing all enterprise mobile devices - including Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire devices. MaaS360 also supports Mac and Windows laptops.

Unlike other vendors that offer a confusing array of deployment options, Fiberlink is singularly focused on cloud MDM, delivering a unique combination of powerful mobile security and management capabilities that are easy to use for both IT and employees. With MaaS360, businesses can instantly implement MDM, MAM, secure document sharing and mobile expense management (MEM) best practices. This includes over the air configuration, passcode enforcement, remote wipe, application management (required, blacklist, whitelist and VPP), enterprise application catalog, and secure document sharing. MaaS360 also offers the most advanced contextual policy management and real-time reporting functionality to help meet the most strict compliance requirements.

Google persuades Spanish bank BBVA to use the cloud

Spanish banking giant BBVA is switching its 110,000 staff to use Google's range of enterprise software.

The deal is the biggest that the search giant has signed with one company for its cloud-computing services, where software is offered as a service via the internet.

The bank said that it would use Google's tools only for internal communication. But the deal can be seen as a breakthrough in corporate adoption. Banking - with its high security needs and strict regulations - was always considered to be one of the last industries to accept cloud-computing.

BBVA's director of innovation, Carmen Herranz, stressed that all customer data and other key banking systems would "stay in our own data centres" and be completely separate from the cloud solution.

The bank would use Google applications like email, calendar, docs, chat, video conferencing and other collaboration tools to "achieve a cultural change" and get "the whole company working together" across the 26 countries where BBVA is based.

Ms Herranz said the project - with roll-out across all employees to be complete by the end of the year - was not about saving cost.

Also driving the change was the increasing mobility of the bank's workforce. A lot of the bank's computing needs had moved to smartphones, tablets, laptops and computers at home, she said.

Jose Olalla, chief information officer at BBVA, said because workers now had "access [to] the information they need at any time from any internet-connected device, anywhere in the world, [they] will be able to be more flexible and mobile". BBVA is one of Spain's largest banks.

It is also the largest provider of financial services in Mexico, and has a large presence in the south of the United States.