Google is launching Android for Work to target the enterprise market

Google has just launched its new Android for Work program, designed to target the enterprise market. Android for Work is Google’s initiative to compete with iOS and Blackberry when it comes to enterprise markets. The program involves four major tenets that give it appeal to the enterprise crowd. Google detailed them in a bulleted list that you can check out below:

• Work profiles – We’ve built on the default encryption, enhanced SELinux security enforcement and multi-user support in Android 5.0, Lollipop to create a dedicated work profile that isolates and protects work data. IT can deploy approved work apps right alongside their users personal apps knowing their sensitive data remains secured. People can use their personal apps knowing their employer only manages work data and won’t erase or view their personal content.
• Android for Work app – For devices running Ice Cream Sandwich through Kitkat, or that don’t run work profiles natively, we’ve created the Android for Work app. The app, which delivers secure mail, calendar, contacts, documents, browsing and access to approved work apps, can be completely managed by IT.
• Google Play for Work – It allows businesses to securely deploy and manage apps across all users running Android for Work, simplifying the process of distributing apps to employees and ensures that IT approves every deployed app.
• Built-in productivity tools – For everyday business tasks, we’ve created a suite of business apps for email, contacts and calendar, which supports both Exchange and Notes and provides document editing capabilities for documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

As you can see, Android for Work is much bigger than just improved security. The program allows businesses to securely deploy Android phones to their employees while still maintaining a clear separation of work and play. It puts Android in direct competition with iOS and Blackberry in the enterprise market, as Android has often been passed up due to its lower security and lack of enterprise features.

Other Android manufacturers have worked to come up with solutions, such as Samsung’s Knox program. These other manufacturers, however, have now partnered with Google with Android for Work. In fact, a whole host of companies have partnered with Android for Work including big names such as Blackberry, Cisco and Adobe. Android for Work looks to be a powerful program that will drive Android adoption within the enterprise market, continuing to secure Android’s spot as the world’s largest operating system.

source: androidandme