On the heels of the Gold Release, BlackBerry has now officially announced the BES12.2 service. BES 12.2 will further expand BES’s multi-OS capabilities. It now will provide support for Samsung KNOX Workspace and Android for Work, and has integrated these platforms with BlackBerry Secure Connect Plus for secure, behind-the-firewall access to enterprise content without the need for VPN infrastructure. The update also includes support for the Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP) for iPhones and iPads.
Key updates include:
- Samsung KNOX Workspace. Samsung KNOX provides comprehensive hardware to software security that is built into Samsung devices like the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, making them the most secure Android devices. Customers can now use BES12 to manage devices with Samsung KNOX Workspace, meaning that they can deploy Samsung Galaxy devices in a work and personal mode as well as Workspace-only mode. This gives organizations even more choice in not only the devices that their employees use, but in the way that they use them – all with the high level of security and privacy they expect from BlackBerry and Samsung.
- Android for Work. BES12 supports Android for Work, which enhances security, simplifies management and provides an open platform for innovation on Android devices. BES12 seamlessly integrates with the Android OS to enable platform-level containerization, creating dedicated profiles for corporate and personal information. This eliminates the need for app wrapping and provides users with access to any Android application available on Google Play that is permitted by an organization’s IT policies.
- BlackBerry Secure Connect Plus. Samsung KNOX Workspace, Android for Work and BlackBerry 10 are now integrated with BlackBerry Secure Connect Plus. This solution provides secure, behind-the-firewall access to enterprise content without the need for VPN infrastructure, helping enterprises to cut costs and improve the user experience for employees. Customers can also use the enhanced secure connectivity option to enable secure, behind-the-firewall access for mobile voice and video applications.
- Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP). BES12 now supports Apple DEP, which simplifies the enrollment of corporate-issued iOS devices. IT administrators can more quickly, easily and securely manage large deployments of iPhones and iPads by enabling supervised controls over-the-air.
“Enterprises need comprehensive EMM to streamline management of disparate mobile devices, applications and content being deployed across their organizations to meet the diverse needs of users,” Bob Egan, CEO, Sepharim Research Group. “By enhancing its multi-OS capabilities and services with BES12, BlackBerry is creating better user experiences as well as more value for customers that are looking for flexibility in their mobile environments.”
