OPTUS BUSINESS ENHANCES ENTERPRISE MOBILITY PORTFOLIO

Optus Business today announced it will offer a mobile device management solution and enhance its mobility applications partner program in the second half of the year to help customers enable their mobile workforce.

Earlier today Optus Business released its Future of Work Report, which indicates businesses are planning to further embrace the benefits of mobility. 68 per cent of IT departments surveyed expect their communications budget for mobile devices to increase in the next three to five years.

Mobile Device Management central to Optus mobile fleet offering
With the growing use of personal devices in the workforce and the explosion of mobile device form factors and operating systems available, IT administrators are challenged with supporting mobile fleets in a way that meets stringent security, cost and control requirements.

The Optus Future of Work Report found companies will increasingly permit personal employee devices to access the corporate network, with 54 per cent and 55 per cent allowing smartphone and tablet access respectively in the next three to five years. It also highlights that companies are becoming increasingly concerned about managing the security of their mobile fleet and that policies to retrieve company-issued devices and information assets from employees due to theft, loss or resignation will significantly increase. Currently, over 70 per cent of IT departments surveyed heavily rely on staff to return equipment in goodwill, exposing them to potential security breaches. In the next three to five years, 61 per cent will look to control and secure their mobile devices with remote wipe and lock out solutions.

To help customers address these challenges, Optus Business is increasing its investment in Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions, which it currently offers to customers on an as needed basis via select technology partners. From Q3 2011, Optus Business will integrate MDM as part of its standard mobile fleet offering, delivering an end-to-end managed mobility solution. The solution, which can be pre-loaded on devices, will include inventory management, remote lock and wipe and user self-service capability across multiple device types and operating systems to help customers easily manage and track their mobile fleet.

Scott Mason, Director of Marketing and Strategy at Optus Business said, “One of the biggest challenges customers face is keeping track of their mobile fleet, especially with the growing use of BYO personal devices in the workplace. Our customers are looking for a single partner that can help them manage and support their entire mobile fleet, from deploying devices and applications right through to billing and technical support. MDM will become part of our standard mobility fleet offering to help customers improve the management and security of their devices, and mitigate security challenges as more staff use personal devices to access the corporate network.”

Enhanced Mobility Application Partner Program
Optus is also enhancing its Mobility Applications Partner Program to help enterprise customers to mobilise their workforce. Starting from July, the program will be open to solutions providers that can help Optus Business deliver tailored mobile application solutions to customers in several key areas, such as field force automation, location-based services, business messaging, device management and Machine to Machine (M2M). The program will expand Optus Business’ existing partner network to lead the delivery of mobility applications to the enterprise market.

“Optus Business already works with around 15 partners to deliver tailored mobility solutions for our customers. We will introduce a formal partner program from next month to build on our existing partner relationships and deepen our product capabilities to support our customers’ mobile workforce requirements. We will be committing financial and marketing support to partners that are selected for the program and will be inviting application developers and technology suppliers to apply from next month,” said Mr Mason.

Media contacts:

Kasia Ciszak/James Wright
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7850

Simon Fitzgerald / Rachel Vidaic
Text 100 Public Relations
Tel: 02 9956 5733
E: sydneyoptusteam@text100.com.au