RIM intends to extend device management options to iOS
BlackBerry manufacturer RIM is extending its Enterprise Server mobile device management services to iOS devices, allowing systems administrators to manage BlackBerry, Android and iOS devices from a single platform. The move follows in the wake of Microsoft's March announcement that it will allow administrators to control iOS devices with its SCCM management software. RIM's announcement could be a similar "Use other devices if you must, but stay within our corporate fold" tactic. It could also possibly account for the discredited rumors we heard a while ago about a BlackBerry app coming to iOS.
Rather than develop its own solution, RIM is buying mobile device management company ubitexx. The company says it will provide "a simple and efficient way to distribute software and manage policies, inventory, security and services for BlackBerry devices, as well as other mobile devices." It won't provide BlackBerry-specific functions to iOS devices though, such as their push technology. That aside, the other features will be available later this year.
