BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 Version 10.1 Available

BlackBerry has announced BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1, an update to BlackBerry’s multi-platform Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solution that provides device and app management for BYOD and corporate-owned BlackBerry, iOS and Android devices. Today’s update brings new “Regulated-level” IT policy controls and settings for government agencies and customers in regulated industries who require an advanced level of security, control and logging of BlackBerry 10 smartphones. It also allows customers to support BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry OS smartphones from a single server.

BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1 is free to download and existing BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5 customers can exchange their client access licenses for free through 2013. To date, 12,000 BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 servers have been installed by customers around the world.

Key features of BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1

• Regulated-level EMM. BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1 provides customers with an optional set of extended IT policy settings and controls that restricts the use of a BlackBerry 10 smartphone for work only (does not allow personal apps and content).

• Simplified deployment for a lower total cost of ownership. Following a simple installation process, customers will be able to use BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1 to manage BlackBerry 10 smartphones, BlackBerry PlayBook tablets, iOS and Android devices, as well as earlier model BlackBerry smartphones. Upgrading to BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1 is simple and intuitive, and existing BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5 customers can quickly upgrade to BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1 with no firewall changes.

• Dashboard & reporting. New dashboard capabilities provide an “at-a-glance” graphical view of information and statistics associated with the customer’s complete fleet of devices, providing administrators with immediate access to the information they need. The dashboard displays a high level overview of information such as a device deployment summary by platform and carrier, device compliance state, application deployments, and more.

• High Availability. All components of BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 can now be deployed in a highly available active/passive configuration, similar to the high availability support offered by BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0. It offers simple, easy to configure threshold settings and improved failover performance.

• BlackBerry Support is now included as standard. Care(ii) now comes as standard with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 deployments(iii), providing 12x5 telephone access to BlackBerry experts, responsive online support, access to training, productivity and diagnostic tools. Extended technical support offerings are available.

“The new Regulated-level EMM options in BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 version 10.1 give our government and high-security customers the advanced settings they need to have complete control of the BlackBerry 10 smartphones connected to their networks,” said David J Smith, EVP, Enterprise Mobile Computing. “Extending BlackBerry security, device and application management to iOS and Android frees our customers from the need to invest in multiple device management technologies, giving them an easy and cost-effective upgrade path to a solution that supports their entire mobile environment globally.”

On The Road Map For Enterprises

Announced in March 2013 and scheduled to be available at the end June 2013, a further update of BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 is intended to extend BlackBerry security capabilities for data-at-rest and data-in-transit and provide complete separation between work and personal data and applications for iOS and Android devices. Subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play, as applicable, the new BlackBerry Secure Work Space for iOS and Android solution would include client applications that secure email, calendar, contacts, tasks, memos, browsing and document editing for the device provisioned with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. It would also introduce BlackBerry’s single outbound port solution, aimed at greatly simplifying firewall configuration and giving customers a more secure, simple, cost effective and VPN-less infrastructure to reliably manage all of their mobile devices. Additionally, customers would be able to “app wrap” to secure additional applications to run within BlackBerry Secure Work Space through simple interfaces made available with the product. The solution is currently in closed beta with BlackBerry customers and partners worldwide.

For companies that don’t require behind the firewall app and browsing access, application management, or advanced security and controls, BlackBerry 10 smartphones support ActiveSync, providing organisations a fast and easy solution for synchronising with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Notes Traveler, Novell GroupWise, Hotmail, Microsoft Office365, and Google Apps. This is an attractive option for SMEs and larger companies that don’t require the comprehensive controls and settings offered by BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 and are looking for a fast, cost effective way to connect BlackBerry 10 smartphones to their enterprise messaging systems.