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.