Dimension Data has launched a new service it says will simplify the secure deployment and management of Apple iOS devices for corporate customers.
The endpoint lifecycle management service will help users “seamlessly” access corporate apps and data on Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch devices, the global ICT services provider said.
The service offers configuration, control, security and support from installation through the lifecycle of the device - from deployment until it's no longer in use - so companies can meet corporate compliance requirements.
Dimension Data has also announced the launch of a dedicated Apple practice that offers consulting, implementation and support for enterprise technology that works with iOS devices, such as Cisco video and collaboration tools on iOS.
The practice will help companies “deliver an anywhere, anytime mobile experience for apps, voice, and collaboration on iOS devices,” the company said.
Partnering with Apple
Dimension Data joins vendors such as IBM and Cisco, which are already offering enterprise-oriented deployment and support for Apple devices. Apple and Cisco, for example, have been working together to optimize iOS devices and apps on Cisco networks.
"We understand that our clients need a strategic approach to mobility – one that merges the world's best user experience through Apple devices with full enterprise capabilities," Joe Manuele, group executive of customer experience and collaboration at Dimension Data, said in a statement. "As a global systems integration partner for Apple, our services and dedicated practice will free companies from integration and management complexities so they can focus on their business and unleash the full potential of the mobile enterprise.”
The new services do not address the needs of companies with employees who use Android or other devices for work. Most enterprises have a mix of Android and iOS.
The Scaling Back of BYOD?
The move comes as corporations everywhere are trying to reign in control of mobile devices. Realizing that bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies introduce too many security and compliance risks, companies are increasingly providing employees with mobile devices -- or at least managing end-user devices.
Company-managed devices can also offer employees easier and more secure access to company data and apps, giving workers at home or on the road access to information they need.
The company's Apple practice will include a team of network and systems engineers, as well as client service and support teams, with guidance from Apple itself.
Additional mobile service offered include resale, provisioning, logistics, help desk support, app provisioning and reporting, device repair and mobility analytics.
Dimension Data will also open a Center of Excellence (CoE) to showcase Apple products, demonstrate Apple and Cisco solutions, and show how Apple devices can be managed and maintained through the company’s new service.
