Good says that version 4.8's improved management console gives administrators "deeper visibility into mobile devices" and allows establishing policies that segment devices into groups based on criteria such as employee roles, geographic location, and device operating system. Policies can also be established to ensure that all devices accessing the corporate network are using only pre-authorized and approved mobile operating systems.
The Compliance Manager, part of the seperately licensed Mobile Defense package, "proactively scans" handheld devices for the presence of IT-mandated applications, and only allows GoodLink to synchronize after ensuring that these applications are running. The added remediation feature redirects users to download any missing applications via a secure OTA channel. According to Good, this cost-effectively enforces stringent security by automatically provisioning devices found to be out of compliance.
Another interesting new feature in version 4.8 is support for electronic business cards, or "V-cards." "V-Card Beaming" exchanges business card information between handhelds that are equipped with IrDA. As a security precaution, IT administrators can control whether or not users can use this function, according to the company.
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