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Dell Introduces Mobile Device Management Services

Dell today rolled out a new portfolio of mobile management services, covering mobile security, multi-platform mobile device management and support for the creation and deployment of customized mobile enterprise apps.

The Enterprise Mobility Services from Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) include the following:
  • Strategic consulting services to establish an enterprise mobile strategy - comprised of business consulting, tools, scenario assessment and cost benefit analysis, as well as implementation services for mobilization of workflows, business processes, mobile application development, end-to-end security and networking;

  • Mobile device management - secure mobile management services including provisioning, compliance, policy enforcement, asset management, application management, performance monitoring and usage;

  • Telecom expense management - management of voice, data, wireless, international roaming, and VoIP spend;

  • Custom mobile application development - mobile application development for smartphones and tablets with multi-platform, multi-carrier capabilities;

  • Mobile enterprise application platform – design, build, and deploy based on the Dell Mobility Application Platform (DMAP) to mobilize business applications and processes across any user, device and location — on any network or mobile device platform;

  • Security and compliance - secure mobile enterprise solutions for customers on both personal and corporate devices that deliver virtual and secure access to enterprise applications from any device.

    The news of Dell's mobile service offering comes at a time when the hardware vendor is evolving from a made-to-order computer maker to a technology firm that offers consulting and services, most recently for small businesses, and as the mobile sector experiences explosive growth.

    Enterprises are increasingly faced with the challenge of managing many different types of smartphones and tablets running different mobile operating systems -- and sometimes different versions of the same mobile OSes. Making the task even more complicated is the mix of both corporate-owned and personally-owned devices being used in the workplace.

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    "As the complexity and challenge of managing a wider variety of mobile devices on multiple systems rises, we will deliver a mobile solution that is secure, manageable, scalable, and open in support of our customers," Mary Chan, vice president of Dell Enterprise Mobile Solutions, said in a statement.

    Dell plans to support the fragmented mobile landscape by deploying a mobile application server behind the enterprise firewall that will handle communications between mobile devices in the field and corporate data centers, according to a Dell spokesman.

    Dell's mobile device management client, installed on all smartphones and tablets, will request data through the server based on the user's access rights, a Dell spokesman told EnterpriseMobileToday.com. The client also works in conjunction with the server on whatever authentication mechanism the customer wants. The server also will handle all the administration of all mobile applications, so IT staff won't have to develop applications for each type of connected device.

    Dell can also partition the device's hard drive to keep corporate data separate from personal data should an employee being using his or her own mobile device for work. In addition, Dell services can deploy technology for erasing data remotely on lost or stolen devices and set up location services to find devices. Encryption is also available for stored data.

    Dell joins other tech firms such as IBM and HP in offering mobile computing services, as well as mobile management firms in this space, such as MobileIron, Zenprise, Sybase and Good Technology. Additionally, wireless carriers such as Verizon and AT&T offer mobile device services and support while even handset makers such as Motorola offer similar portfolios.

    Michelle Megna is a senior editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals. She is also managing editor of EnterpriseMobileToday.com.

    TAGS:

    mobile, IT, Dell, mobile security, mobile management