Palo Alto-based VMware Inc. is launching its own single sign-on solution for big companies looking to enable their workers to do their jobs completely from mobile devices, the firm announced on Monday evening.
As part of a plan around providing business mobility solutions, VMware’s new Identity Manager will allow company administrators to simplify authentication of users for enterprise apps – be they made by VMware, custom internal apps, or third-party software. VMware says the point of the solution is to provide consumer-grade ease-of-use for the end user, while maintaining the security policies that administrators like to see in place.
“The population has already figured out how to use a mobile device,” says Shawn Rosemarin, executive director of systems engineering at VMware Canada. “We want to keep that same level of simplicity for the consumer. We want to deliver enterprise-grade security.”
The solution will be made available via a software-as-a-service model or in an on-premises scenario with the deployment of a virtual server. The solution includes a dashboard that allows them to manage on-device policies for different apps, who can access them, and includes analytics information.
Identity Manager also allows an organization to set up its own app store of approved apps, or custom-made mobile apps that will follow company usage policies. The app store uses an HTML5 launcher so it’s compatible with just about any device, and organizations can customize it to match their own branding. The goal is to make it similar to browsing Google Play or the App Store.
“We’re going to allow a separate enterprise schema with the same simplicity that you’re used to,” Rosemarin says.
The solution also makes use of features found in AirWatch, the mobile device management suite that VMware previously acquired, to offer more granular features to administrators. For example, whether a connection is forced through a VPN or not can be done on a per-app basis.
“If I’m in a different part of the country than I am normally, then I could choose to invoke the VPN,” Rosemarin says as an example.
Expansion of App Configuration for Enterprise (ACE) program
Adding on to a program that was first announced at Mobile World Congress in March, more companies are jumping on board the App Configuration for Enterprise (ACE) group. ACE is looking to run a vendor-neutral program that offers a standard way to manage and secure applications that are deployed with enterprise mobility management solutions. ACE offers a framework that allows developers to compile their app once to run across all supported mobile OSes – Android, iOS, Windows, etc. – by automating the setup and configuration process at the device level.
“It’s taking the parameters away from the user and automatically deploying on the device,” Rosemarin says.
Founded by VMware’s AirWatch, Box, Cisco, Salesforce, WorkDay, and Xamarin, ACE is now announcing more than a dozen new members. They include:
- DocuSign
- DropBox
- MicroStrategy
- Syncplicity
- Kony
- Everbridge
- ServiceMax
- Webalo
- ScrollMotion
- Deputy
- Imprivata
- Showpad
- OnBase
- Bigtincan
- Lua
