10 things to know about Android for Work

 

 1. What is Android for Work

• Android for Work is a program for supporting enterprise use of Android, which consists of product features in Android, Google Play for Work, and other productivity tools.

• Android for Work is Mobile Device Management (MDM) and data separation framework  debuted in Android 5.0 Lollipop

• Android for Work is primarily exposed via APIs that enterprise mobility management (EMM) providers and enterprise application developers can use to deliver a secure, productive, and rich mobile experience to their customers’ employees. 

•  EMM providers are companies that offer advanced IT solutions for mobile device management (MDM), mobile application management, mobile expense management, and more.  

 2. Work Profile

• Android for Work features what's known as a work profile on a device -- a segregated, managed environment.  

• A work profile still allows enterprise apps to have some basic control over the entire device -- usually limited to lock screen and encryption policies.

• Enterprise also have complete control over enterprise data within the work profile. They can install apps, user accounts and credentials, configure VPNs and change settings inside some apps

3. Play for Work

• Play for Work is an offshoot of Google's main app store that organizations can use to purchase Android apps in bulk.

• It can also host and distribute in-house enterprise apps.

4. Corporate-Owned, Single-Use (COSU)

• These are Android devices used for a single purpose, such as digital signage, ticket printing, point of sale, or inventory management.  

• It is also a device owner mode, which locks down devices that multiple users share or that function as kiosks, information displays or embedded devices.

5. Separate Work and personal Apps

• Enterprise workers have long wanted a way to separate work apps and files from personal apps and files while still having the ability to work in a native environment.  

•  Business apps and personal apps have separate work notifications, app badges, restrictions using data separation framework.

6. Security

• Data security—Business data is separated in a work profile and protected device-wide on work-managed devices. IT can apply data leakage prevention policies. 

• Apps security—Work apps are deployed through Google Play for Work. IT can prevent installation of apps from unknown sources and apply app configurations. 

• Device security—Android for Work devices are protected with disk encryption, lockscreen, remote attestation services, and hardware-backed keystore when available. 

Related : 5things to know about Android Hacking and how to prevent

 7. Control data and privacy

• If you leave the company or your device is lost, IT will erase just the work apps, leaving your personal stuff intact. IT can also never view your personal activities.

 8. Secure Productivity features

• Android for Work offers some productivity features that make it easier for users to work remotely and still be productive. For example, on devices with Lollipop, users can view company email in the same stream as personal email. It also allows employees to open an attachment or link with limited or no hoops to jump through 
• Users can then edit the document in that attachment on their mobile device, save it to Google Drive or another sanctioned cloud storage service and access that same document at work without having to email it to themselves -- all under encryption.

9. Selective Remote wipe

• Android for Work BYOD Managed Profile, the device has both a personal and Android for Work container. That means that IT can wipe only the Android for Work container if that situation arises.

10. App updating

• Admins can update devices or apps, and then notify employees afterward without the users having to install anything themselves.

Best book on Android for Work 

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