Is Windows Phone finally ready for enterprise?

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Years ago, Windows Mobile had many built-in methods that an IT administrator could employ to restrict the device when used in a corporate setting. This was a good thing. Then Windows Phone was introduced and almost all of those ambassador features were removed. Microsoft stated that Windows Phone would be a consumer device, and non meant for the enterprise. Equally fourth dimension passed, it seems that Microsoft realized that they actually did need to address the enterprise as the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement took off. However upward until now, the few restrictions that were added have not satisfied It administrators.

Recently Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8.one that provides some Mobile Device Direction (MDM) improvements over Windows Telephone eight.0. These features are part of what is called the 'enterprise pack'. Windows Phone viii.1 will likely be pushed out near the terminate of June, but we already know what volition be included. Lets take a look at whether Windows Phone is now more acceptable as an enterprise device.

If nosotros refer to the MDM Matrix, we tin can see that information technology compares all electric current mobile operating systems, and their MDM features. Windows Telephone viii.0 and eight.1 are shown, too as Windows RT viii.0 and eight.1.

On the device countersign front end, with the exception of the missing MDM characteristic of "Grace menses before device lock", everything is there, equally yous would expect for enforcing device passwords. The characteristic for "Unlock using fingerprint" is missing just that is considering right now at that place are no Windows Phones with fingerprint readers. 1 strange thing we tin meet in the matrix is that Windows RT tablets cannot enforce a device password as is confirmed in Microsoft's official MDM feature set up for InTune, their MDM production. Apparently only once the user has manually gear up a countersign, tin can device passwords be enforced.

MDM features that have been added that were not in Windows Phone viii.0 are good. They include the ability to block device screen captures (great for preventing information leakage), disable GPS, disable the Wi-Fi radio, and/or disable the device'due south ability to act equally a Wi-Fi Hotspot. In addition, y'all can disable the NFC and Bluetooth radios, both restrictions not found in Windows Phone 8.0.

Windows Phone 8.1 now also allows an administrator to disable the ability to utilize your phone as a USB mass storage device (a very practiced way to prevent company data leakage), and they tin prevent you from accessing the SD card.

Another good improver that can forestall company data leakage is the ability to disable copy/paste. The power to disable the official Windows Telephone app shop allows an administrator to restrict what apps are installed, and the ability to disable the built-in Internet Explorer web browser, allowing Information technology administrators to force the use of another browser.

Some strange browser restrictions missing from Windows Phone 8.1, but that are included in Windows RT eight.i are restrictions like blocking scripting, auto make full, and popups.

The ability to prevent corporate documents from opening in non-corporate approved apps is also missing, and if this was present information technology would go that much further when preventing information leakage.

Some other restrictions that are missing that some Information technology administrators will want are the ability to restrict the microphone, voice banana (Cortana), availability to use the vox banana (Cortana) while the device is locked, powering off the phone or putting information technology into airplane way (both of these are useful if the device is stolen and the thief/hacker wants to prevent a remote wipe), and the power to stop the device from accepting untrusted TLS certificates.

Workplace Windows Phone 8.1

What is not shown in the matrix is an of import new feature in Windows Telephone eight.ane that allows for corporate VPN usage. Some It administrators desire to doubly ensure that data is protected while in the air, and Windows Phone 8.0's non-back up for VPNs was a limiting factor.

Overall I remember that Microsoft has added the correct mix of MDM restrictions to satisfy almost It administrators. Compared to out-of-the-box Android, it is definitely ahead, and on a par with iOS. Vendors like Samsung and LG take added more restrictions that make their implementation of Android safe for the enterprise, nonetheless this means that companies will demand to mandate the purchase of devices made by a specific vendor. This is fine for visitor purchased devices, simply when you want to adopt a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, restricting what devices you employees buy for themselves will not go over very well.

Apple, BlackBerry, and Microsoft build the MDM features into the Bone. In the case of Windows Phone, the user can choose to purchase devices from multiple vendors, which means that the same level of protection and restrictions would apply no affair what device is purchased.

What do y'all think? Will your visitor first allowing Windows Phone viii.ane devices? Is Microsoft'south implementation going far plenty?

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