Verizon Expands Managed Mobility Portfolio to Support Tablets, Personal Devices, Cloud-Based Applications

NEW YORK, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To help companies meet the challenge of managing and securing their applications on an increasing variety of mobile devices used by employees, including their own devices, Verizon is expanding and enhancing its managed mobility portfolio.

The new capabilities feature:

• Management and security for both corporate- and employee-owned iOS and Android OS (operating system)-based tablets.
• A new enterprise application portal that resides on a device and allows mobile workers to obtain required business applications.
• New anti-virus and firewall capabilities to protect intellectual assets in a mobile environment.

These capabilities are available immediately in the U.S. and are scheduled to be introduced in Europe next month and in Asia-Pacific and Latin America later this year.

"An explosion of mobile devices over the past few years has fundamentally changed the way we work and blurred the line between our personal and professional lives," said Carrie Gray, enterprise mobility executive director with Verizon.  "The desire of employees to choose their device has left CIOs and IT departments grappling with how to protect sensitive company data.  Verizon is creating an environment for enterprises to unleash business applications, while controlling costs and securing company assets across their mobile carrier environment."

Management and Security for Tablets

Verizon Managed Mobility customers can now add iOS and Android OS-based tablets to the mix of devices that can be deployed to their workforces.  Verizon delivers management and security capabilities for the tablet devices through Afaria software from Sybase, an SAP company, providing enterprise-to-edge security and back-office application extension capabilities such as security policy enforcement, application delivery and control over device management profiles.

Verizon also introduced a new on-device portal for managing enterprise applications that are required or recommended for specific user groups.  By having the ability to mandate or authorize applications for various groups and individuals, companies can enable greater productivity while also maintaining command, control and security.

Kitty Weldon, principal analyst at Current Analysis, said, "Verizon continues to enhance a leading portfolio of solutions that enterprise customers should seriously consider if they are struggling with managing a range of devices from smartphones to tablets. "

The Verizon Managed Mobility portfolio leverages the strength of Verizon's world-class IP and wireless networks but can be used with any carrier.  The portfolio is designed to improve an enterprise's mobility program in four key areas: mobile device management and security, inventory and expense management, mobile services enablement platform, and logistics.

Enterprise Apps From the Cloud

Separately, the company also announced on Wednesday (May 11) an expansion of its agreement with SAP to jointly market and sell key components of Verizon's Managed Mobility portfolio (Mobile Device Management and Security and Mobile Services Enablement Platform).  This will enable customers to easily access their on-premises and cloud-based SAP® applications virtually anytime, anywhere via the Verizon business-class cloud.  The updated agreement makes Verizon the first SAP partner to provide end-to-end enterprise cloud and mobility offerings.

Verizon is a global leader in driving better business outcomes for enterprises and government agencies. Verizon delivers integrated IT and communications solutions via its high-IQ global IP and mobility networks to enable businesses to securely access information, share content and communicate. Verizon is rapidly transforming to a cloud-based "everything-as-a-service" delivery model that will put the power of enterprise-class solutions within the reach of every business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.  

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news.  To receive news releases by email, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon