RIM unveils management tool for iOS, Android devices

Research In Motion (RIM) will be rolling out a new device management tool called Mobile Fusion, which would include some of its reputed mobile security features,for its BlackBerry smartphones as well as Apple's iOS and Android-powered mobile devices next year, according to Reuters.

The news wire reported on Tuesday that the Canadian phonemaker will be launching its Mobile Fusion software in the first quarter of 2012, which will allow corporate IT administrators to set and monitor password rules, apps and software on a range of devices including the iPhone and iPad as well as those powered by Google's Android operating system (OS).

In a subsequent press release issued on the same day, RIM said the new tool is meant to meet the increased demand for mobile device management solutions, driven by the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend that is complicating how CIOs and IT departments manage and control wireless access to confidential company information on the corporate network.

"What our enterprise customers are looking for, and the opportunity for us, is to become the de facto platform," Alan Panezic, RIM's vice president for enterprise product management, told Reuters. "We will take full advantage of whatever security capabilities are provided by the core operating system. We're not going to hold that back in any way, shape or form."

He declined to give any pricing details for the tool except saying it would be "competitive" with rival offerings.

Gartner analyst Phillip Redman told Reuter that while the new offering will "help stem the tide" of RIM customers looking to eliminate their BlackBerry Enterprise Servers (BES), it will not help the company sell more smartphones.