Feb 09, 2012

How to distribute apps to mobile employees?

We're starting to accumulate a nice library of apps that our mobile workforce could really benefit from. What's the best way to get them out to the folks who need them?


I don't know about Android/Blackberry devices, but as far as Apple devices (iPhones and iPads), one of the best solutions is to use the Apple Enterprise Developer App Store. It's a private app store distribution. You must have your companies DUNS credit rating number to register but the program is only $299/year.




Which mobile platform are you using? It's hard to give you a definite answer without knowing what devices are you using. I suggest doing a bit of Google searching with your question but make sure to include the name of the platform you are using (Android, iOS, Windows Phone, etc.).

There are bound to be some helpful tools out there for you.
There are mobile device/application management solutions available from a number of sources. One example is Airwatch (www.air-watch.com), a company that offers enterprise android management. Quoting directly from Airwatch, you can, "install, update or remove enterprise apps remotely without user interaction," so it should address your needs. You can also do the same thing with files, while restricting the ability to edit or share files. There are many other functions available: certificate management, app installation restriction, remote wipe, etc. This doesn't come at zero cost, and if you want on-site support there is a charge of a couple thousand dollars for installation, plus a monthly fee.
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