Digital Trends

Microsoft's forthcoming Mobile Device Manager software will enable IT departments to manage smartphones in ways similar to how they manage fleets of PCs.

With the ever-increasing popularity of smartphones in the enterprise and corporate arenas, Microsoft is looking to leverage its strong presence in enterprise-level computing and system management to create the de facto technology standard for managing mobile devices. During his keynote at the CTIA wireless conference today in San Francisco, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will unveil the Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, a new technology which will enable IT administrators to manage compatible smartphones in ways similar to those they currently use to manage fleets of Windows-based PCs. And the Redmond giant hopes the news services will give Windows Mobile 6 devices an edge in the enterprise over upstart competitor Research in Motion and its popular BlackBerry smartphones.

The idea behind Mobile Device Manager 2008 is to enable IT administrators to control smartphones bought in bulk and distributed to a company's workforce. Administrators would be able to determine what applications are available on the phone, set security policy and security, mandate VPN connectivity, and even enabling and disabling specific features on phones (like, say, an integrated camera—no use in having pictures of the secret underground lair get on MySpace!).

Mobile Device Manager will be available as an add-on to Windows Mobile 6 beginning in the second quarter of 2008; devices from Samsung, Palm, Motorola, and other manufacturers are expected to support Mobile Device Manager immediately. Microsoft anticipates releasing the server-side components of Mobile Device Manager in the first half of 2008.

Industry watchers are split on whether Mobile Device Manager will help Microsoft leverage Windows Mobile into the enterprise space. RIM as the Apple-like advantage of controlling both the hardware and the software, enabling a more consistent experience. Microsoft, conversely, has to work with multiple devices manufacturers and software vendors, a process which (historically) produces technologies which generally work, but are riddled with edge cases, exceptions, and unforeseen gotchas.