As more and more organizations are mobilizing their workforces with sophisticated mobile devices, Vodafone has identified the need for a simple but effective way to manage and protect these mobile workers and their devices. Vodafone Enhanced Services for Windows Mobile E-Mail provides IT managers with a managed service that ensures mobile devices do not become the weak link in enterprise management & security.
Today's Window's Mobile devices are extremely sophisticated and capable of supporting a range of mobile applications, but managing this fleet of devices across a dispersed, or even global, workforce can be a challenge.

Vodafone's own research has shown that users are often more cavalier in their attitude to use and security of mobile devices than of other office equipment. Almost one in four users regards their company mobile devices as their own property; 10 per cent confess to changing the settings on these devices and 15 per cent to downloading software without permission. One in five IT managers said they had experienced security issues as a result of mobile users' non-conformance to IT policies.

Supporting and safe-guarding IT managers is Vodafone's heartland and the Vodafone Enhanced Services for Windows Mobile E-Mail plan includes antivirus, firewall, device management, configuration, lock and wipe, remote diagnostics, support and consultancy services and naturally a connection with 500 MB or 5 GB data allowance for a single monthly fixed fee.

Key elements of Vodafone Enhanced Services for Windows Mobile E-Mail include:

• Vodafone Security: includes a personal firewall configurable for each device and user, continuous virus monitoring and protection for SMS/MMS, mobile broadband browsing, mobile E-Mail and attachments, WiFi and Bluetooth connections as well as hardware including on-board and removable memory.
• Device Management: simple over-the-air configuration and updates to all devices allowing software upgrades, policy enforcement, plus lock and wipe in case of loss or theft of a device.
• Support: for mobile devices via remote diagnostics with priority direct line support. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All of the above are backed by Vodafone's range of professional services which offers solution design, project management, expert consultancy and project delivery to ensure smooth roll-out of mobile E-Mail and applications across a dispersed workforce. Mobile workers benefit from continuous expert support that reduces downtime and ensures any issues are quickly and effectively dealt with, often without the need to return the device to the IT team or Vodafone. IT departments benefit through the removal of the cost, overheads and the headache of managing mobile devices. Vodafone will support all aspects of the mobile devices estate allowing IT teams to focus on the core IT infrastructure.

"Mobilising the workforce and providing mobile E-Mail and access to Window's applications leads to huge gains in productivity, "commented Peter Kelly, Enterprise Director at Vodafone. "However, these gains can be quickly overturned if devices are lost, misused or infected with mal-ware and open up holes in enterprise network security. We also know from our work with major global organisations that there can be significant overhead for the IT department associated with managing mobile devices. Our Enhanced Services for Windows Mobile E-Mail, which complements our Managed Support for E-Mail Service, has been designed to give customers the confidence that their mobile solutions will be available, secure and supported, without adding to the burden of the IT manager."

Vodafone's own research has shown that users are often more cavalier in their attitude to use and security of mobile devices than of other office equipment. Almost one in four users regards their company mobile devices as their own property; 10 per cent confess to changing the settings on these devices and 15 per cent to downloading software without permission. One in five IT managers said they had experienced security issues as a result of mobile users' non-conformance to IT policies.

Cheers ~ Arne