Microsoft has announced the next component of System Center, the System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008. When it's released (look for it in Q2 of 2008) it will allow IT departments to enhance security by enforcing company and departmental policies across a wide variety of Windows Mobile phones. Features will include:
- The ability to restrict the use of Bluetooth, SMS/MMS, WLAN, Infrared, POP/IMAP e-mail, as well as camera functionality
- The ability to restrict which applications will run on your devices
- Encryption of files
- Remote wipe of lost or stolen phones
- Software and firmware deployment, based on WSUS 3.0
- Device Inventory and reporting
Not to mention behind-the-firewall access to documents through a mobile VPN feature. All in all, it looks to be a solid offering. Phones will require Windows Mobile 6.1, which isn't available yet, but will be out by the time SCMDM2008 (sheesh, these product names are getting long) ships.