Nokia has released updates to its device management
portfolio that stem from its 2005acquisitionof Intellisync.According to Nokia, new features added to the
Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite include wider device support,
tighter integration for enhanced user experience, remote-control
capabilities, improved theft and loss protection, and hardware
control. The new features give IT the power to enhance and scale
customer support while also reducing support costs.
The release, which comes out of
Nokia's Enterprise Solutions division, fills a void in the
market, which for a long time has focused simply on mobile
email.
"We are seeing a strong interest from European and global
operators and business customers for device management functions
that mirror those of the IT environment," said Enterprise Solutions
senior vice president Scott Cooper. "By adding the new capabilities
into our current suite of products, we are responding to the market
demand and accelerating adoption of business mobility beyond mobile
email."
Updated device management features added to Nokia Intellisync
Mobile Suite are remote-control capabilities for over-the-air
device troubleshooting; the ability to control hardware elements,
such as disabling the use of a camera or WLAN on a device; and
updated theft and loss protection.
With the remote-control function, administrators can wirelessly
take control of a device that is not in their hands and see its
screen. Help desk personnel can also access devices and manipulate
them as if they're holding them, for tasks such as troubleshooting,
initial provisioning, upgrades and training. At first, the
remote-control feature will support only Windows Mobile devices,
but Symbian support will follow in upcoming releases. Remote
control is available as part of a Nokia Intellisync Device
Management License.
On the hardware control side, Nokia said administrators can
disable or enable specific hardware elements on a device, such as
the camera, Bluetooth, WLAN access, infrared and memory card. When
a user tries to access a blocked feature, a pop-up screen appears
indicating that the hardware functionality is disabled, and this
cannot be overridden by the end user.
"The new functionality gives the option to disable functions
like the camera on a mobile device in case company policy does not
allow cameras on their premises," according to a Nokia press
release.
Lastly, the enhanced theft and loss protection includes
power-on-password support for S60 3rd Edition Nokia Eseries and
Nokia Nseries devices via a Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite client.
The function uses the device's built-in lock application. Also,
hard reset is supported for S60 3rd Edition Nokia Nseries devices
using the built-in factor reset application.