Westcon Group has announced that its first secure mobility solution will be generally available before the end of the year. Nine months in the making and in partnership with seven vendors and support partners, Westcon will supply Nokia’s Symbian based Nokia Eseries dual-mode mobile devices pre-configured with a range of business applications.
The initial proposition will provide seamless ‘extension to cellular’, leveraging the functionality of Avaya’s Multivantage and Multivantage Express solutions. As additional clients become available, Westcon will introduce similar solutions for Cisco, Nortel and other IP Telephony (IPT) platforms.
Westcon is packaging the Nokia Eseries device with ‘wireless’ email, ‘over the air’ software updates and mobile device management using the Intellisync Wireless Email and the Intellisync Device Management solution from Nokia. This enables real-time access to email, calendar and contacts from both Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes applications as well as remote device disable and data delete features for a lost or stolen device. As for security considerations, Westcon will be integrating data encryption and as anti virus and firewall functionality into the solution.
Westcon plans to partner with a major distributor of Nokia mobile devices, who will be able to ship the devices pre-loaded with applications. In addition, first year telephone and on-line support as well as software upgrades and maintenance will be available through Westcon.
Three solutions will be available initially, ranging in price from between €390 and €1,095 for a fully staged Nokia E61 device – depending on customer requirements. Westcon will not tie the solution to a specific operator or tariff plan in order to offer maximum customer choice.
Commenting on the announcement, Guy Koster, vice president, Technology Solutions Group, Westcon Europe said, “Apart from the obvious productivity gains, this proposition offers businesses the opportunity to make significant savings in their communications operating costs. In some instances, ROI can be measured in weeks. This best-in-class solutions offering will help give channel customers wishing to enter this market a real competitive advantage, while increasing product and services margin opportunities.”
Talking to Comms Business Magazine at the Convergence Summit, Bernie Dodwell, mobility and security solutions manager, Westcon Group said: “We see the arrival of this new breed of intelligent mobile devices combined with the software and support package we are developing with our partners as a compelling offering for organisations that have mobile workers or ‘road warriors’ that need to stay in touch via email and maximise the benefit of IPT. Additionally, business directors can be confident that the solution does not represent a security risk to their businesses due to the comprehensive protection provided by anti-virus, firewall, data encryption and device management applications pre-packaged with these Nokia devices.”
Stuart Hopper, director, operators and channel, Enterprise Solutions, Nokia said: “Nokia is excited to be cooperating with Westcon in this initiative. A significant amount of work has gone into building a comprehensive secure mobility solution that offers the channel low risk and low cost entry into the secure mobility market. We see this as a great opportunity for channel partners to leverage the Nokia brand, Eseries promise and our proven mobility platform,” he added.