Amtel adds free tier to its enterprise Mobile Device Managment service

Monday, telecommunications management solutions company Amtel announced it added a free tier to its Mobile Device Management (MDM) services for enterprise. The free service includes mobile password security, detection of compromised devices, real-time device information and statistics, application discovery and listing, and mobile asset inventory.

The free service uses a Web-based management console and supports the most popular mobile operating systems (iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and more.)

The iPhone and iPad have made the consumerization of IT an unstoppable wave. According to an IDG Connect study in January, a full 51 percent of IT and business decision-makers say they always use their iPad at work.

It seems like once a smartphone or tablet works its way into the businessperson's routine, they then want it both on and off their corporate network.

Yet Amtel says an estimated 80 percent of enterprises do not have adequate security and management for mobile devices, and the company wants to get its foot in the door by offering a version of its services for free.

Amtel's mobile device management solution has received SAS 70 Type II certification, and can be installed through over-the-air provisioning with no limitations on the number of devices or users. The free service naturally lacks a lot of the functionality of the premium versions, including remote wipe, lock, and password reset, encryption and device restrictions, app whitelisting/blacklisting, and filesharing capabilities.