Microsoft Rolls Out Built-In Office 365 Mobile Device Management Features

Microsoft recently unveiled new built-in mobile device management features for businesses utilizing Office 365 commercial plans across iOS, Android and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets.

Partners said the new Office 365 device management capabilities present a less expensive alternative to Microsoft's full-scale MDM product, Intune, and target enterprise customers who are just beginning to adopt device management policies.

"For customers who are utilizing Office 365 but who don't have a mobile device management solution in place, this is a good place to start," said Bob Delisa, president and CEO of Cooperative Systems, a Windsor, Conn.-based Microsoft partner. "It's limited in its MDM capabilities, but this is a good solution that doesn't cost anything for smaller businesses that already have Office 365 plans and are interested in making mobile device management a priority ... It's like installing training wheels before a full-on MDM program."

[Related: Microsoft, SkyKick Offer Free Service To Get Channel Laggards To Use Office 365 ]

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Office 365's new built-in MDM capabilities allow users to set up security policies ensuring that email and documents within the suite only can be accessed on phones or tablets managed by their company. In addition, they enable users to set device-level pin locks and jailbreak detections.

Users also can wipe company data from Office 365 on employee devices while leaving personal data in place, a useful security feature as more businesses adapt to the "bring your own device" policy in company settings.

The Office 365 functions are a limited, cheaper version of Microsoft's more robust MDM tool, Microsoft Intune, which is part of the Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite and extends to PCs as well as mobile devices.

Intune offers a widespread array of MDM solutions such as app-wrapping security functions, and tools to manage certificates, Wi-Fi and VPN for enrolled devices.

While the Office 365 built-in MDM capabilities are included with Office 365 commercial subscriptions that many companies already have, Microsoft Intune requires a paid subscription for the product itself, or it may be purchased with the Enterprise Mobility Suite.

Partners said the newly embedded Office 365 mobile device management functions could create a segueway for initially hesitant customers to eventually embrace mobile management policies presented in Intune.

"I think there is a challenge for Microsoft between these two MDM functions ... the Office 365 MDM capabilities may cannibalize Microsoft's Intune system, but at the same time this could be an entry point for customers who are interested in adopting MDM for the first time," said David Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing for The Fulcrum Group, a Keller, Texas-based Microsoft partner. "Microsoft continues to reduce the cost barriers for customers to migrate to Office 365. These MDM capabilities are another level in our arsenal of ways we can attack opportunities."

In terms of channel opportunities, Microsoft partners like Robby Hill, founder and CEO of Florence, S.C.-based solution provider HillSouth, said the built-in MDM Office 365 features enable partners to help customers navigate various levels of MDM strategies and policies.

"This opens up opportunities for partners to sell higher-level features, like Intune, to customers," said Hill. "It's a natural evolution that if the customer is already connected to mobile device management solutions through the cloud environment, then cross-selling other products will become a no-brainer. I'm sure that, as we talk about the impact of BYOD, anything that can secure corporate data on devices will be well-appreciated by customers. It's a tough balancing act to protect data."

"I think it's a great move ... it's exciting that Microsoft is expanding their base-level offering," he added. "Microsoft has come a long way since they first launched Office 365, and partners have also played a big part in helping customers get on board with this service."

According to Microsoft, the rollout for the built-in MDM Office 365 capabilities started Monday and will be completed globally in four to six weeks.

PUBLISHED APRIL 1, 2015