VMWare puts enterprise IT in control of smartphones
Published: 14 November, 2008
READ MORE: Handset
The new smartphones increasingly separate the specific hardware from the applications above, but VMware is taking this a step further by applying virtualization technology to the handset for the first time, enabling enterprise users, in particular, to run multiple operating systems and multiple profiles (such as work and personal) on one device.
VMware has announced its Mobile Virtualization Platform (MVP) and says it is now working with unspecified cellphone makers to embed the technology in their high end and corporate geared products. MVP adds an extra layer that decouples the applications and data from the underlying hardware, and the first phones incorporating this layer should appear late in 2009 or at the start of 2010.
MVP claims to give enterprise IT departments greater control over mobile devices and usage - the centralized management issue has been a significant brake on moves towards true mobile enterprises. Using virtualization, the IT department will able to set up one profile that supports all the company's policies in areas like security, but allows end users to run anything they like within their personal profile. They will also be able to add new software, and move data and applications more easily when users upgrade to a new phone - also key issues for mobile enterprises, which need to treat the phone in the same way as a PC.
Also, various operating systems and applications will be able to be supported in the same way on different handsets, unlocking the enterprise tie-in to a single device vendor such as RIM. Supported operating systems today include Windows CE, Symbian and Linux. MVP is based on technology VMware acquired from Trango Virtual Processors in October, and has been optimized to run on low power and memory constrained gadgets.
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