iAnywhere says that Afaria 5.4 includes extensive management and security capabilities for Windows Mobile 5.0 devices, including:

• Back up key files on a device when the battery level drops below a critical level
  
• Monitor and enforce application installation and usage policies
  
• Log when confidential files on mobile devices are written to external cards or sent to other devices
  
• Keep vital information available to frontline workers, and automatically replace critical data on the device when required

Enhancments to the inventory manager let administrators collect additional phone and connectivity information on handheld devices such as phone number, IMEI, IMSI, mobile operator, current network, and WiFi, Bluetooth and IR configuration and status. For laptop computers, new differencing scans transmit only inventory changes to the server, reducing communication time and costs, according to iAnywhere.

Additionally, the latest version provides "greatly expanded" facilities for managing RIM BlackBerry devices, according to the company.

iAnywhere VP of engineering Joe Owen stated, "With Afaria 5.4, it's easy for administrators to manage all of their mobile devices, including BlackBerry, Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone, Palm, and Symbian devices, and even laptop computers from a single console."

Availability

Afaria 5.4 will be available on March 31, according to iAnywhere. Pricing was not disclosed. A free 10-user Starter Kit with a 30-day trial license is available here.

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