Microsoft brings mobile device management to Office 365

Microsoft has announced that mobile device management is now available in Office 365 for commercial customers. The feature is built into the office suite and allows administrators to control access to Office 365 data by Android, iOS and Windows Phone tablets and phones.

Security is very much at the heart of Office 365's mobile device management, and it includes a remote wipe feature. For businesses who have embraced the BYOD philosophy, this will bring peace of mind as it allows for the remote removal of Office and associated files even on personal devices.

Of particular interest to many users will be the conditional access options. These make it possible to limit data access to email and documents so that non-compliant and unauthorized devices are cut out of the loop entirely. The feature is powered by Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Azure Active Directory, and can be tailored to suit individual needs.

From a device management point of view, there are great new powers for administrators. Microsoft explains:

You can set and manage security policies such as device-level pin lock and jailbreak detection to help prevent unauthorized users from accessing corporate email and data on a device when it is lost or stolen. Additional settings and rich reporting are also available within the Office 365 admin center so you can gain critical insights about devices accessing your corporate data.

Available at no extra cost, the mobile device management features may prove to be a draw for enterprise customers who are yet to switch to Office 365. The rollout starts today, and it's hoped that the feature will be available worldwide in the next four to six weeks, bringing increased control and security to users.

Microsoft has produced a video that shows off the features and benefits of mobile device management in Office 365: