MDM vendor MobileIron and iPass, a company focused on enterprise mobility services, have announced a new partnership focused on helping enterprises implement a combined mobile connectivity, application management and device management strategy. The key goal is to create a partnered offering that allows enterprises to efficiently and effectively meets the challenges of enabling and supporting a highly mobile, BYOD-driven workforce.
 

With the iPass Open Mobile platform, iPass delivers a trusted connectivity platform and the world’s largest commercial Wi-Fi Network with over 700,000 Wi-Fi venues. That network allows iPass to provide its customers with always-on, frictionless connectivity anywhere in the world – easily, quickly, securely and cost effectively.
 

With MobileIron IT departments can quickly deploy thousands of smartphones and tablets without sacrificing enterprise-grade security, and they can begin securely distributing mobile applications using MobileIron’s Enterprise App Storefront.  Together, the companies give IT the ability to secure, manage and monitor app and device deployment and connectivity across the entire enterprise.
 

Ensuring security at both the network and device levels is essential for establishing a secure working environment. Between them both iPass and MobileIron are able to offer a one-stop,  integrated mobile application management, mobile device management and enterprise mobility service. It remains a challenge for enterprises to find a single way to manage the on-boarding of mobile devices with the right approved corporate apps, and the partnership will lead to integration possibilities that will make it easier for businesses to get securely managed BYOD environments up and running quickly - at both the device and network level.
 

The companies are also engaging in joint marketing activities such as lead sharing, webinars and customer events. MobileIron and iPass also share several system integration and channel partners, including Bechtle and Esselar.
 

"With the dramatic increase in smartphone and tablet penetration within the enterprise, more and more of our customers are seeking better integration between mobile connectivity, management and security," notes Shane Taylor, director at Esselar. "A partnership between iPass and MobileIron is a logical move that will offer significant value to businesses, especially as they look to formulate their own BYOD strategies."