GTA Launches New Service for Mobile Device Management

As more agencies explore using iPhones, iPads and Android devices, GTA is offering a service to securely integrate the devices with the state's network.

GTA hosted a kick-off meeting March 15 to introduce a new mobile device management service, which has two components.  The first ensures that an agency's mobile devices integrate with its e-mail system and infrastructure and meet security requirements.  A similar service has been in place for BlackBerry devices, but because iPads, iPhones and Androids represent additional platforms for agencies to manage, more features are included.  The second component of the service makes it easier for agencies to initiate new wireless services, upgrade to newer devices, and track usage and costs.  Service providers are Airwatch and Bluefish Wireless Management respectively.

Ten agencies participated in the meeting to learn about the service, which is an interim solution until e-mail transformation as part of Georgia Enterprise Technology Services (GETS) is complete.  GTA plans to form an agency workgroup to share experiences and ideas about collaborating on a long-term solution.

Mobility ranked high on a list of focus areas during a strategic planning meeting with full-service and partial-service GETS agencies last fall.  The new service is the first part of a larger effort to address the strategic uses that mobility makes possible and the potential it holds for boosting workers' productivity.  The accelerated rate at which mobile technology changes means the state will need to continually adapt policies and services to keep pace and meet agencies' needs.

For more information about the mobile device management service, please contact Mark Albright.