News

Nokia Intellisync boosts device management

Nokia Intellisync has released updates to its Mobile Suite to enhance remote device support, loss and theft protection, and management capabilities.

By
  • Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor
Published: 23 Aug 2007 13:00
Nokia has released updates to its device management portfolio that stem from its 2005 acquisition of 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.

For more information
Read why dual-mode devices need to mature

Check out a tip on mobile device compliance
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.

Read more on Wireless networking