Over the past decade, Android has taken the enterprise by storm. In each new operating system (OS) version update, its capabilities continue to become more business-friendly as the strength and depth of its mobile security functionality improves. With these changes considered, it’s clear Google is committed to delivering an OS that transcends the consumer world into the enterprise. For this reason, it’s no surprise that one of the world’s most popular platforms appears on IT’s shortlist for new device investments and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs.

Despite its extensive improvements over time, one of the biggest questions that remains for IT decision-makers is, “How can I be certain I am managing and securing Android with the best tools and technical resources available to me?”

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The Android Enterprise Recommended Program

With its introduction of the Android Enterprise Recommended program earlier this year, Google has improved this decision-making process for IT leaders, making it possible to zero in on the vendors that meet specifications across a broad range of stringent criteria. The limited number of vendors that achieve this validation have not only taken appropriate steps to support the full gamut of Android’s specifications — they have also gone the extra mile to partake in Google-led trainings that enable them to deliver an exceptional experience for partners and customers.

Up until this point, the Android Enterprise Recommended program has been available to help IT teams select smartphones, tablets and ruggedized devices that are well-suited for the enterprise setting. However, customers and partners have had to conduct independent research and assessments to determine which enterprise mobility management (EMM) solutions should be used to manage Android devices in the enterprise.

These evaluations cannot be taken lightly; enterprise use cases for Android have grown in number, and organizations need to ensure that their EMM of choice has what it takes to support them. Furthermore, security threats have evolved and become more complex, and endpoints and their users remain their biggest targets. The less careful organizations are about who they partner with in supporting their environment, the consequences become more severe.

These reasons considered, at minimum EMMs should be able to prove their ongoing commitment to delivering same-day support for the latest OS updates. As Android continues to roll out new functionality for Android in the enterprise — most recently zero-touch enrollment, managed Google Play, Verify Apps and SafetyNet APIs — the onus is also on EMMs to keep up.

A Program Expansion for Enterprise Mobility Management Vendors

To stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape and more effectively manage Android devices, IT decision-makers need to fast-track the EMM selection process. That’s why Google expanded its Android Recommended Program to help security leaders gain confidence in their EMM selection, streamline deployment and deliver up-to-date support for the latest updates.

IBM MaaS360 with Watson is a validated solution in the Android Enterprise Recommended program for EMMs, placing it among the select few EMMs that meet these new comprehensive program requirements.

Recognizing the value of the overall Android Enterprise Recommended program, MaaS360 delivers support for all Android Enterprise Recommended OEM devices, including both categories of knowledge worker and rugged use cases.

To learn more, watch our on-demand webinar, “IBM Joins Google in Announcing Android Enterprise Recommended Program for EMMs.”

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