How much time to get up and running with SureLock?
Well..just did a quick test. I was able lock down a "fresh" Windows Mobile device in less than a minute, 54 seconds to be precise. Following steps were taken (Note: SureLock Studio was already installed on the desktop):
- Launched SureLock Studio
- Clicked New button on the toolbar to create a new project
- Added Internet Explorer as allowed application
- Clicked Build button to generate the CAB file
- Clicked Install button on the toolbar to transfer CAB file to the mobile device (connected with the desktop over ActiveSync) and installation was started automatically
- Once CAB installation was completed, SureLock started on the device locking it down to just Internet Explorer
Project creation and CAB building took 15 secs whereas installation took remaining 39 seconds.
Once the CAB has been built, we just have to install it on other handhelds as long as there is no change in the kiosk configuration which will require building the CAB file again.
Microsoft to continue support for Ruggedized Handheld market
Ruggedized handhelds are a class of mobile devices that are designed to run mission critical applications while withstanding the harsh environments. Several OEM like Motorola/Symbol, Intermec, Psion Teklogix, Honeywell have been building ruggedized handhelds for several years now. Most of these devices are based on Micrsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile operating systems. Recent whitepaper from VDC Research says that Microsoft has 87% share in this market. All these OEMs together shipped around 2.3 million devices in 2009, which is projected to reach 4.3 million by 2014. Besides that there already are around 12 million ruggedized devices in use.
Since Windows Phone 7 has been announced there was a growing concern among OEMs regarding future support from Microsoft for its existing Windows CE (latest version 6.0) and Windows Mobile (latest version 6.5) platforms. Note that Windows Phone 7 is a very different platform with almost no similarity with the CE and Windows Mobile and is targeted towards consumers and to lure back iPhone users :).
Enterprises and Consumers have different needs and both are important. Microsoft has started a new program Windows Embedded Handheld to protect the existing enterprise investments and to continue to releasing newer mobile platforms with minimum porting requirements.
Microsoft's commitment to the future of enteprise mobile devices will be a welcome news for OEMs, System Integrators, ISVs and Enterprise customers.
Save money by using Remote Control software for smartphones
The Problem
Sometimes, as an IT support specialist, you might find yourself to be in situations where end users need your support in troubleshooting problems with their mobile devices or smartphones. Traditional approach would be to pick up the phone and call the user and ask him/her to follow your instructions like, tap on this button, select that checkbox and so on. If the mobile users are not tech-savvy enough then you cannot be sure if they are properly following your instructions. Ensuing confusion can be frustrating to you as well as to the person at the other end.
A simple example:
Say a mobile user wants to know how she can save a website address as a favorite in her Smartphone. She calls you, the best IT support guy in the company, for help. You ask her to launch phone’s browser, tap on the Menu button on the command bar and select Add to Favorites menu item. She launches the browser but she can’t find the menu item to save the current page as a favorite. And you think “WIGOIT” (“What is going on in there”). After 15 minutes, you finally figured out that she was using Opera browser and not Internet Explorer. You were giving her wrong instructions!
Remote Control Software to the rescue!
To prove that you still are the best IT guy ever, you decide to use Remote Control software for mobile devices, similar to the way you use remote administration tools to control desktop PCs. Seriously speaking, no time or effort would have been wasted in the previous scenario if you could remotely connect and take control of the user’s device and demonstrate how to add the website address as a favorite.
SureRC
SureRC is a Remote Administration software for controlling Windows Mobile devices over wireless networks. SureRC is compatible with most of the latest VNC viewer programs. If you already have a VNC Viewer program installed on your desktop then you are ready to remotely control the mobile device screen using the desktop keyboard and mouse.
SureRC Features:
• Works with RealVNC Viewer or other VNC compatible viewer programs on the desktop
• Activate remote control by sending SMS to the device: If the device is unattended or suspended, you can send a special command message (an SMS) to the device. On SMS reception the device will wake up and connect with the VNC viewer program running on the desktop.
• Efficient performance on slow networks (ZRLE Compression)
• VNC Authentication support
You can download the trial version of SureRC from the following webpage.
http://www.42gears.com/surerc/
Managing Enterprise Mobile Devices
Enterprises are going mobile these days. Employees use mobile devices to access, generate and manipulate business data while on the move. Enterprises like the gains in productivity as employees can work from virtually anywhere.
Businesses are embracing mobility due the fact that mobile devices are becoming increasingly powerful these days; some are almost as powerful as desktop computers were a few years ago. Extraordinary features have been packed into devices with small form factors which businesses simply cannot ignore.
There are two types of mobile users in any enterprise- business/executive users that use mobile devices primarily for communication purposes i.e. to make phone calls, check emails and browse the web. The other category is of mobile workers that use mobile devices in the field or within the office premises to collect and work on critical business data, e.g. inventory management, sales order taking, ticketing, parcel delivery services etc. Mobilizing this workforce requires a mobility solution designed as per the business needs.
Components of an Enterprise Mobility solution
There are various technologies that come together to form a good enterprise mobility solution.
• Wireless Networks
• Software (running on mobile devices and on backend systems)
• Mobile Devices
• Mobile Device Management Solutions
Benefits of a using an Enterprise Mobility solution:
• Increase in employee productivity
• Improve customer support
• Increase revenues
Role of mobile devices in an Enterprise Mobility solution
Mobile device is actually one of the most important components of an enterprise mobility solution. A mobile device is the one which connects to wireless infrastructure, goes into the hands of the employees, and runs mobile applications that connect to the middleware and the backend systems of a company.
Windows Mobile from Microsoft has been a platform of choice for enterprises for running their Line-of-business (LOB) applications. Availability of excellent development tools for building enterprise applications and tight integration of Windows Mobile with desktop Windows is the reason for its success in this market. Device vendors such as Motorola/Intermec/Honeywell manufacture and sell ruggedized handhelds based on Windows Mobile or Windows CE operating systems.
Just like an enterprise manages desktop PCs to ensure that they are always up and running, mobile devices also require proper management. Actually mobile devices need even more care, all because most of the time they reside outside the company walls and the company network. Physical security, data security, misuse and remote management needs of mobile devices are top concerns of any organization’s IT support department. The answer to this problem is to use an enterprise Mobile Device Management solution.
What is an Enterprise Mobile Device Management (MDM) Solution?
Mobile Device Management tools provide everything that an enterprise needs to effectively manage their fleet of mobile devices while reducing their total cost of ownership (TCO).
Some features of an enterprise mobile device management solution are:
• Centralized software deployment:
o Remote Installation of new applications or patches ensures that all the devices in an enterprise are up to date with latest software. This reduces device downtime and increases productivity of mobile workers and IT support people as well.
• Apply security policies:
o Regulate what features of the mobile device can be used by employees, e.g. some companies don’t allow use of devices with Bluetooth or Camera within office premises. An MDM solution can disable these features via software. There is no need for the company to lookout and purchase special devices from the market where these features are physically absent.
• Remote Date Wipe:
o Capability to initiate remote wipe of all the information stored on the mobile devices, especially if a mobile device is lost or falls in the wrong hands. Remote Data Wipe can also be used to “cleanup” the device before handing it over to a new user. Various events like SIM card change and device not being able to connect to the server for a specified time can trigger a data wipe operation.
• Wireless Expense Management:
o Generate reports to determine the expense incurred by the employees while using the device for voice or data purposes. This information can help companies in selecting the most cost-effective carrier plans and to formulate employee policies to ensure they utilize the wireless services within allowed limits.
• Locating mobile devices on the map:
o To determine on the map where a mobile device is currently located. A manager can use this information to optimally assign jobs to field workers based on their proximity to a particular location.
• Device data backup:
o Capability to backup device data at regular intervals or on-demand, after-all data is “everything” for an enterprise.
• Remote Helpdesk Support:
o Capability to remotely control and access device to troubleshoot any device related problems or remotely guide the end-user. This is similar to the way administrators remotely access and control desktop PCs.
o Remote view of file system on the device
o Remote view of running processes on the device and capability to terminate the offending processes.
o Remote registry viewing and editing capability
o Capability to remotely reset the device
Deploying an Enterprise Mobile Device Management Solution
Once an MDM solution has been selected, it is recommended to do a pilot run before deploying it across the enterprise. The pilot should focus on technical aspects like performance in low bandwidth networks and scalability. Focus should also be on handling non-technical aspects like acceptance of the solution by employees, determining training needs of the IT team and start identifying policies to apply on the devices and users.
About the Author
Author is the founder of 42Gears, Bangalore. 42Gears is a startup providing mobile device management solutions for enterprises helping them maximize the benefits of mobility. Read more about 42Gears at http://www.42Gears.com.