Good Technology unveils iPhone management tools

IT professionals can now manage iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices as a "whole device" with new software released this week by Good Technology.

As part of Good for Enterprise, the iPhone Management toolkit includes a Compliance Manager function and is available using the same web-based Good Mobile Control console used to administer other Android, Windows Mobile and Symbian devices.

John Herrema, chief marketing officer for Good, said the new additions to Good for Enterprise provide IT departments with an easy way to secure and manage their mobile assets without needing to purchase additional hardware.

"Good for Enterprise allows IT decision makers to embrace the fast growing 'Bring Your Own Device' trend by combining the security, management and control that IT requires with the device choice and exceptional messaging and collaboration experience that end users demand," Herrema said in a statement.

iPhone Management provides features such as the ability to define password policies, control Wi-Fi/VPN settings and restrict application usage.

The software also allows organisations to select which iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch models, OS versions and Good client versions can access their network. This restricts enterprise network, application and data access to non-compliant devices.

Andrew Borg, senior research analyst, of the Aberdeen Group's wireless and mobility arm said the analyst firm has seen an increase in organisations allowing employees to pick mobile phones from different platforms, like the iPhone.

"Combined with the rise in employee-owned devices used for work purposes, this underscores the need for comprehensive multi-platform support, along with strong compliance management and enforcement," he added in a statement.