Putting Device Management in Its Place

iPass Mobile Management Solution Joins IDC Leadership Quadrant

For years, iPass customers have been singing the praises of Device Management—formerly Endpoint Policy Management. But how does Device Management stack up against the industry's best mobile management solutions?

After taking a close look at iPass' mobile device management offering, International Data Corporation (IDC) appears to share iPass users' enthusiasm for this versatile solution. In its recently released Worldwide Mobile Device Management Enterprise 2007-2011 Forecast*, IDC designated iPass Device Management as a leading mobile device management solution, joining the analyst firm's coveted "Leadership Grid."

The Leadership Grid provides a qualitative comparison of suppliers within the mobile device management enterprise market. It represents each vendor's position in the market based on the supplier's ability to gain market share and its alignment with future market opportunities.

The Means to an Endpoint
Device Management from iPass is a simple, cost-effective way to gain control over enterprise systems—in particular, those difficult-to-administer remote and mobile endpoints. Standard features include:

• Hardware and software inventory
• Vulnerability management reporting
• Software distribution
• Automated patching and anti-virus update management
• Remote control for system diagnostics

The IDC report noted the growing enterprise requirement for managing and administering mobile and non-mobile systems with a single, integrated solution that includes a unified view for both-something iPass Device Management excels at. "Enterprises typically choose Device Management for its unmatched remote and mobile management capabilities. However, once customers experience the ease of use and powerful customization features, many use it to manage local devices too," states Piero DePaoli, Director of Global Product Marketing for iPass.

Beyond the Basics

Managing mobile users who only connect sporadically-and often over spotty links-requires sophisticated mobility capabilities. That's why many firms analyze advanced mobile and wireless functions as part of their selection methodology. The deeper you look into Device Management, the more it shines, with capabilities that:

• Ensure secure management of devices without requiring a VPN connection
• Simplify group targeting through Active Directory integration
• Keep mobile workers productive by performing non-critical remediation in the background
• Minimize bandwidth usage and enable systems to resume downloads where they leave off over a series of connections
• Provide broad handheld support
• Enable flexible customization via the easy-to-use Package Editor (see sidebar)

IDC also noted Device Management's support for Windows Vista, its fully redundant architecture, integration with Cisco NAC and the ability to lockdown vulnerable devices and force remediation of high-priority patches. Lockdown capabilities are available via an optional iPass Device Lockdown feature that helps prevent devices from accessing the Internet or corporate network until high-priority patches or package are installed.

The report's "Vendor Profile" section recognized iPass' commitment to strengthen mobile security, noting, "iPass' focus on providing additional security components (such as its Device Protection module) will enhance its status as a trusted provider of mobility solutions to the enterprise market." Device Protection is an on-demand service that mitigates the risks related to using the Internet, USB ports and rogue applications, without requiring up-front or ongoing investment in enterprise infrastructure.

Download report now.

* IDC, "Worldwide Mobile Device Management Enterprise 2007-2011 Forecast and 2006 Vendor Shares," Doc # 208771, October 2007.

Automation Made Easy

Device Management's Package Editor lets IT staff easily create and deploy innovative capabilities via custom packages to:

• Automate routine administrative tasks such as spyware scanning and remediation, disk cleanup/defrag and folder compression

• Distribute HR forms, sales sheets and marketing libraries to endpoint devices

• Make configuration changes such as registration keys and timeout values

• Simplify device-related recalls by targeting affected systems, informing users and verifying part replacement

• Track lost or stolen devices, encrypt hard drives and back up files to a safe location before delivering a "Kill Pill" to disable missing systems