Outlook for Android Release

It was just recently announced that the Outlook for Android app is no longer in Preview. The Outlook for Android app is available in the Google store and is available for Android 4.0 and up.

It is exciting to see the first release of the Outlook for Android app. It just another demonstration of Microsoft’s commitment to provide apps across mobile platforms. Microsoft has created apps for both iOS and Android for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Now there Outlook apps available on iOS and Android.

Announcement - http://blogs.office.com/2015/04/22/outlook-for-android-comes-out-of-preview/

MDM for Office 365 Released

It was announced back in October 2014 that a new MDM for Office 365 solution was being released. I wrote this at the time - http://www.astaticstate.com/2014/11/mdm-for-office-365.html.

The MDM for Office 365 capability has now going generally available. If you did not hear much about it, here are some quick points:

• MDM for Office 365 is subset of Intune features that is now available to Office 365 customers.
• MDM for Office 365 provides conditional access Office 365 email and documents. Apps such as Office Mobile, OneDrive and native email apps that use Exchange ActiveSync will trigger enforcement of policy.
• MDM for Office 365 provides new device management policies for PIN requirements and jailbreak detection.
• MDM for Office 365 provides enhanced remote wipe of Office 365 data without impacting end user personal data.
• This new MDM solution provides support across iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

Additionally, as part of MDM for Office 365 becoming generally available, there are some new TechNet articles that you should check out Overview built-in Mobile Device Management for Office 365 and the sub-articles within it - https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms.o365.cc.devicepolicy.aspx. There are some great facts in here such as:

• Information on how to enable MDM for Office 365 on your tenant.
• Articles on how to perform common tasks such as creating policies, running reports, unblocking devices, how to perform a wipe, etc.
• There is a listing of the exact devices that are supported.
• Listing of mobile apps where MDM for Office 365 can be applied.
• Note Blackberry is not controlled by this solution.
• Note using a mobile browser to access is not controlled by this solution either. Organizations will rely on policies they enforce in general for browser based access to Office 365 services.
• Detailed listings of all the types of settings and controls that can be enforced by type of device.
• Note that MDM for Office 365 policies override Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) policies and device created in the Exchange admin center.
• Note it is recommended to block Exchange ActiveSync to unsupported devices. There are steps provided to do this.

Office for Android Table

I have to say this has been an extremely active time for Office 365. A significant announcement was announced that Office for Android Tablet is being announced for preview - http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/11/06/office-everywhere/.

Microsoft has made good on its vision to provide Office across all major mobile platforms. Office is now available on iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, Android Tablet, Windows Phone and Windows tables.

This is amazing.

Organizations can now empower their employees to remain productive where ever they are at without compromises.

MDM for Office 365

There was another major announcement recently for Office 365. This past week Microsoft announced that is was adding a new solution called MDM for Office 365 is being released. To date many organizations utilized Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) policies and sometimes other third-party MDM solutions to protect business data on mobile devices connecting to Office 365.

With this new announcement, organizations will now have the ability to provide even more protection of their business data on mobile without having to rely on other solutions.

The new MDM for Office 365 will be available in Q1 of 2015.

Devices: MDM for Office 365 will provide organizations the ability to manage email and documents across iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, Android Table and Windows Phones.

Data Protection: When you learn more about it, you will be impressed with the approach. Typically other MDM providers have enforced data protection through a container and even custom applications within those containers. Many times the feature set offered is limited. In the case of MDM for Office 365, protection is enforced within the applications that users use. For instance Office is now available across all major mobile platforms. Customers can set up protection within Office such that business data is protected and cannot leave the application. End users can remain highly productive without having to learn something new.

Device Lock: There are several new features being added as well such as Pin lock and jailbreak detection.

Device Wipe: Plus enhanced features are being added for device wipe for not just email but also documents. The nice thing about the wipe policy is that it will only wipe company owned data, and not impact a user’s personal data. This is extremely important in a BYOD world no one should have their personal files impacted when they go from one company to another.

Integrated Administration: From an administrative perspective, MDM for Office 365 is integrated right in the administrative experience of Office 365. Administrators do not need to bounce around to other third-party applications nor do they have to spend the time trying to configure them together. MDM for Office 365 is simply just built into the service. Administrators will have access to a full set of reports as well through their reporting center.

InTune: Finally, organizations can easily upgrade to advanced MDM with InTune. With InTune there is advanced mobile application management, integration with System Center and advanced mobile device policy.

Please review these announcements: http://blogs.office.com/2014/10/28/office-365-latest-innovations-security-compliance/ and http://blogs.office.com/2014/10/28/introducing-built-mobile-device-management-office-365/.

Office for iPad and Office Mobile

There was a major announcement for Office 365 this week that I think almost everyone heard about this week. iPad for Office is now available. For business Office 365 business customers (and consumers) this was long awaited and a proof to world that Microsoft is making a commitment to be a devices and services company. Here are the big facts that everyone should know:

• Office for iPad supports Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Office for iPad for free allows you to read, view and present.
• Office for iPad subscription service with Office 365 allows you to create and edit.
• Office Mobile for iPhone and Android phones is now free, just like on a Windows Phone. No Office 365 subscription is needed.
• Office for iPad when creating and editing will ensure that content and formatting will be maintained. This is really important for business scenarios to ensure the integrity of documents as a record.
• Remember all this gets hooked into OneDrive and OneDrive for Business. This means your documents follow you everywhere. I will have to say that OneDrive for Business has literally changed the way I work. When I work with files on my laptop on in OneDrive or any SharePoint Online document library, I have access to all my recently edited Office files on my phone. So when I am on the run, I always have access to what I have been working on. Plus all my OneDrive for Business files accessible from Office Mobile / Office for iPad. Office is not longer just on my PC, it is everywhere I am working across devices. All the Office files (and other file types) are managed in the corporation and are discoverable.

I am telling you. Office Mobile / Office for iPad / OneDrive for Business is literally a game-changer in how your business people work across devices.

Then when you start looking at all the Lync Apps available on Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad and Android you can really see how productive people can really become.

http://blogs.office.com/2014/03/27/announcing-the-office-you-love-now-on-the-ipad/