Helping to propel
large-scale mobile phone deployments by businesses, Microsoft Corp. today
announced at CTIA Wireless 2008 the immediate availability of System Center
Mobile Device Manager 2008 and plans for a Microsoft Mobile Services Plan
(MMSP) to be available from mobile operators worldwide. Together with
Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1, the software and services provide the best
solution for midsize and large businesses to manage and help protect
Windows Mobile phones.
"With Microsoft's mobile solutions, businesses now have the power,
control and flexibility over how they deliver information to their
employees on the go," said John O'Rourke, general manager, Mobile
Communications Business, Microsoft. "Together with our partners, we're
helping enterprises extend their reach like never before."
Microsoft saw positive response to early trial programs for Mobile
Device Manager. Companies across the financial, manufacturing and
professional services industries also requested that mobile operators
deliver a core set of software and services to help businesses meet their
management needs.
A study conducted by Microsoft with large and midsize organizations
showed businesses would like to move beyond their current mobile solutions
to offer more sophisticated services. Mobile Device Manager meets their
needs by offering the following benefits:
- Features to manage phones with the same ease and flexibility as
Windows-based PCs, addressing IT priorities for saving resources and
protecting information
- Capability to help protect sensitive business files and e-mails,
contacts and other information through file and storage card encryption
on the phone should it be lost or stolen
- Ability to access more of the information mobile workers need for
staying on top of their jobs via a mobile virtual private network,
which provides security-enhanced access to company data and application
updates over the air
Mobile Services Plan Enriches End-to-End Experience
Today leading operators AT&T, O2, Orange, TaTa Teleservices Ltd. and
Verizon Wireless announced they are in discussions with Microsoft to
deliver the Microsoft Mobile Services Plan. MMSP is a set of core software
and services that provides a uniform experience across Windows Mobile 6.1
phones, whether working with one or more operators, saving time and
resources so companies can focus on other areas of mobility. Beginning
later in 2008, operators plan to offer a subscription plan that will bring
businesses the following:
- A corporate-grade network and data plan to support enterprise
applications and services to help people get work done with the
responsiveness they expect from the network and the efficient use of
battery power they want on their phones
- A package from mobile operators, including access rights to Mobile
Device Manager as well as the advanced mobile management features of
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft Services
Premier Support and Software Assurance for Microsoft applications such
as Microsoft Office Mobile running on Windows Mobile 6.1-based phones.
Fast-Growing Network of Partners Open for Business
Responding to the opportunity created by Mobile Device Manager and
complementing the MMSP, a large network of global partners are ready to
integrate and deploy into existing systems as well as create custom
solutions for businesses. Among the first companies that worked with
Microsoft to support early trial programs are AT&T Inc., EDS, Enterprise
Mobile, HP, O2, Orange, SAT Corp. and Verizon Wireless.
"Given AT&T's leadership in the Windows Mobile space, AT&T is excited
that Mobile Device Manager is now a reality for our enterprise customers,"
said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Marketing and Operations for
AT&T's wireless unit. "Every day, mobile devices become more ubiquitous
throughout the enterprise, and the need to securely manage those devices,
data and applications is critical for IT organizations. Through our early
adopter trials, our customers are responding positively to AT&T's
deployment and optimization plans for Mobile Device Manager and are eager
to adopt the first end-to-end wireless-focused enterprise solution that can
maximize their investments in Microsoft technology."
A wave of Windows Mobile 6.1 phones and operator networks supporting
Mobile Device Manager is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2008
from Alltel Wireless, ASUS, AT&T, HP, HTC Corp., i-mate, Intermec Inc.,
Motorola, O2, Orange, Palm Inc., Pantech, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Mobile
Communications, Sprint, TaTa Teleservices Ltd., TELUS, Toshiba and Verizon
Wireless.
Management Solutions for Every Business Need
Mobile Device Manager builds on the core set of security and management
features provided by Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1 and complements the
comprehensive deployment, updating and asset management capabilities of
Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Mobile Device Manager
is available through Microsoft Volume Licensing. Client access licenses
will be available through existing volume licensing channels in areas where
mobile operators do not yet offer the plan.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp
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