If you are looking to get a job in an IT department, or you are looking to get a raise or promotion from the IT helpdesk department you work for, getting a new or updated certification is a great way to achieve your goals. There are many IT certifications out there, but some of them are more influential in the IT department than others. If you haven’t got any new certifications since you started your job, getting a new one or updating the ones you have can be a great way to show your bosses that you’re serious about your job.

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In the increasingly competitive job market, the better your credentials, the better chance you have of getting a promotion or getting your dream IT job. Here are the top 6 IT certifications by demand. Get one of these and your resume will get much more attention.

1. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

This is not only one of the highest paid certifications, but also one of the hardest to get. It requires you have 5 years experience in at least two of the ten fields listed below:

• Chief information security officer
• Security auditor
• Network architect
• Security manager
• Security architect
• Security analyst
• Security systems engineer
• Security consultant
• Director of security
• IT director or manager

The exams themselves cover all ten of the domains listed above. The process is designed to ensure you have sufficient experience in every security area. Things like Security, MDM software and mobile device security, and application development security, just to name a few.

2. MCSE: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert

If you’re employed in a Microsoft shop, and who isn’t to some degree, getting an MCSE certification can be truly valuable to your everyday work. There are many sub-certifications that you can get. You can get them all or focus on special exams that will help you in your job the most. Here are the exam areas:

• Desktop infrastructure
• Server infrastructure
• Share Point
• Messaging
• Data platform
• Business intelligence
• Communication
• Private cloud computing

The more sub-certifications you have, the more attractive you will look to your employers or potential employers.

3. A+ Certification

This is probably one of the most popular and basic certifications you can get. Chances are if you’re already working in IT you’ve been A+ certified for ages. If not, or if you’re just looking to get into the IT field, the A+ certification is a great starting point. The exam will certify you in the basic use of a computer, networks, and mobile networking. The certification must be renewed every three years.

4. MCITP: Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional

The MCITP certification is another Microsoft-centered certification (as you can tell by the name). This focuses more on the software side maintenance and understanding of Microsoft technologies. There are six different exams you can take (all or a mix):

• Windows Client
• Windows Server
• Microsoft Lync
• Microsoft SQL ServerÂ
• Microsoft Exchange Server
• Microsoft Share Point

Like the other MS certifications, it is best to get as many of the exams taken as possible to make your resume more attractive. It also helps you in your job, because most of the problems you’ll experience during your IT Helpdesk duty is helping users with these technologies.

5. Security+

Unlike certifications from Cisco, the Security+ network security certification has nothing to do with specific vendors. This means that you can be more versatile. Security has become one of the most important areas that an IT tech can specialize in, as companies realize that data is becoming more difficult to protect. The exam itself consists of 100 questions, all coming from a few different areas including network security, compliance, operations, vulnerabilities, and Cryptography, just to name a few.

6. CCIE: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert

This is once of the most popular and most sought after Cisco certifications. It is also one of the rarest, so if you decide to get this cert., you’ll be even more attractive to your employer. The exam is one of the most extensive and difficult certification exams to pass. It consists of a written exam and a lab test based on performance.

Conclusions

Getting a new certification is a great way not only to improve your standing at work, but to increase your level of education surrounding new technology. Technology moves at a breakneck pace, and those who don’t keep their education current will get left behind. Keeping your certifications current is a great way to keep from becoming obsolete in your job. More and better certifications can also be a great thing if you plan on moving to a new employer in the near future. Many employers will even pay for the exams if they think it will help you become more efficient ant knowledgeable about your job.

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One of the hottest IT certifications categories out there is network security. Data has never been more important for corporations, and it has never been as difficult as it is now to keep that data safe. That being said, not every small business can afford a fully stocked IT department that has every kind of certification available. If your IT department routinely needs to do without a certified network specialist, here are some of the most common network security flaws you might encounter and suggestions on how to fix them.

Trusting Users to Install Critical Patches

If you want your network to remain secure, and your IT helpdesk calls to remain free of swearing, you need to ensure that it is the IT department that is doing the updates on users workstations, not the users themselves. Trusting users to do their own updates is like trusting a two year old to do anything responsible at all. They have no idea what they’re doing. Set up schedules to ensure each workstation is up-to-date, and/or use machine management software like Microsoft’s InTune to do batch patches across the entire network.

SSL Flaws

With today’s increasing mobile first attitude amongst many workers, data is no longer secure behind the lock and key of your server room. Now, in many cases, is being accessed behind a VPN of some sort. The flaw here is that some companies aren’t properly utilizing the SSL protection that is built into the Internet. This means that packet sniffers and hackers have much easier access to any data that is transmitted. The fix for this one is pretty simple, ensure that your SSL security is properly placed, and that your certificate is kept up-to-date.

Log only the events you need to track

Logging security related incidents on your network is an important thing, yet over doing it can lead to the real security concerns being overlooked and buried. Fixing this problem is relatively simple, just track the events that are actually worth your time tracking. Ignore the fluff and focus on the heart of the matter. Most security event tracking software have great filters available for your use.

Ignoring Individual Computers

The biggest threat to your network isn’t through your servers, it is through the workstations of the users. These people browse to unprotected, un-firewalled sites everyday. While they are doing that they are bringing in who-knows-what kind of evil and malicious software directly onto your network. There are many solutions to this, and all of them are very important.

• First, virus and malware protection directly on the workstation.
• Second, correct implementation of your companies firewall and blacklist, make sure the sites that are bad can’t be visited. The Firewall isn’t there to keep the productivity up, it is there for security purposes.
• Finally, train the users. Every user should know who to call in the event of something bad happening. They should also know the consequences of browsing to outside banned websites.

Giving Access to Restricted Ports to Unauthorized Users and Applications

The key here is to not open your network to threats in the first place. Opening too many ports into your network is a great way for malicious software to enter your otherwise pristine network. Only give different levels of network access to folks who actually need it and are trained to use it. Also, keep track of applications that you use that require port access. If you don’t really need it, get rid of it, and close your ports.

Finally, Strong Maintenance is Key

It is amazing the number of companies that think once something is installed, that’s all there is to it. They either forget or cut back on staff and think that everything will be okay. Everything on the network requires constant monitoring and maintenance. Software licenses need to be keep up-to-date, updates need to be installed, hardware replaced, and so on. Failure to do this is the number one reason why a network becomes vulnerable. Do yourself a favor and make sure that your administration knows the consequences of no maintenance schedule.

The IT world is quickly changing. In the old days you spent your days in the server room or running from computer to computer trying to find out what software was causing havoc.  While that still happens a lot, much more of the software that companies use is being operated outside of the company itself. Whether it be web software like Amazon’s AWS or Microsoft’s online versions of SharePoint and Office, the online “cloud” is quickly changing the way IT admins look at their jobs.

What is SaaS?

SaaS or Software as a Service is the term used to describe software that is ran on servers in the cloud. Companies subscribe to these services to keep from having to buy their own licenses and from having to pay for the man-hours needed to keep the software up and running.

The types of software that this encompasses are wide and varied.  It can range from high-end corporate software like SharePoint and Exchange Server to lower end accounting software.

The benefits for the company are undeniable. Lower costs all around, from manpower to software and server costs. It also means savings on office space, server space and other savings. To the company these subscriptions save money, which means a healthier bottom line.

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What does this mean for the IT helpdesk?

If you run your company’s IT helpdesk or are a member of the IT department’s server management team, you are likely feeling some side affects of this move to SaaS.

The range of software that your department manages is probably dwindling. There will always be the data servers that need to be maintained. Most data is covered by federal law that requires it stay onsite under lock and key, so that data won’t be leaving anytime soon.

What all this means is that the IT department’s role is changing from one of technical upkeep and support to one that looks very differently.  The mobile revolution has introduced new things that the IT department takes care of instead of some of its former software responsibilities.

In addition to the new mobile hardware and software that needs to be supported, IT departments are moving to different types of software to help support the workforce. Things like IT helpdesk software negate the need for running back and forth to provide software support.

Off-Site Support

In many ways this means that the IT responsibilities of this type of software is being moved from in-house IT support to off-site support. Just because the software is being run “in the cloud” doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require support. The support of the severs is being taken care of by the company offering the software or service, while the support of the users who use the software is often still in the hands of the in-house IT team. This forms a division of labor that, in the future, will add another layer of complexity to any IT admin’s job.

The Future of Software

Unfortunately the future of huge IT departments that are solely dedicated to the upkeep of software and servers is not bright. Because a lot of software can be located, operated, and supported online, the responsibilities of the IT department in this area won’t be as involved as they once were.

However, there will always be need of a great IT department. As with every technological innovation, the IT world will transform itself to meld to the new world order. We can already see this happening. Things like Mobile device management, IT helpdesks, and other innovative ways of giving support that can’t be as easily outsourced. There will always be things an in-house IT department can provide that a remote corporate service center cannot.

This may seem like an overly optimistic tact to take, but the IT department will endure the evolution of SaaS.

What do you think of SaaS? Talk back in the comments below!

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Steve Jobs, the late CEO and co-founder of Apple, came out in 2010 and proclaimed that the iPad ushered the world into a Post-PC era. We’re now three years into that era, and it has fully reached the IT world. When Jobs made the statement he was specifically talking about the introduction of the iPad, but it has sense become the phrase that represents the mobile revolution that is sweeping both the consumer and enterprise markets.

What is the Post-PC Era?

If you are really wondering what the Post-PC Era is, you’re not alone. Put simply it is just the move from the traditional static computing situation we’ve been in for decades to a more mobile and fluid computing scenario that includes smartphones and tablets.

The question every one asks is, are we really in a Post-PC Era? It’s certainly the question Microsoft is asking, since their main business is still selling software to desktop computers. The answer is – kinda. Neither businesses nor consumers are likely to stop using regular computers anytime soon. More likely is that tablets and smartphones will be accessories to the more traditional computing ritual of many workers.

Another question to ask is how the Post-PC Era is affecting the IT helpdesk and admin departments.  In the old days, all the IT admin guy or gal had to worry about were the networked computers on their own network, and perhaps the pagers. Then came the Blackberry (which interestingly enough was a pager to start out with).

When Blackberry first became a thing, it was great. It gave the workforce a mobile option for email and phone service, while still maintaining the security of the office itself. Now, in the so-called Post-PC Era, Blackberry is falling and the iPhone and Android are the new kings of the enterprise mobile market.

Security is the new Post-PC concern

Security has always been a concern for corporations, which means it has always been a concern for the IT department.  Now that we’ve entered the Post-PC IT world, security is not only something you worry about on your network and inside your building, but something you worry about all the time now.

You have to worry about data that is no longer under lock and key in your server room, but travelling the world on losable and steal-able devices the size of a small candy bar.  Now that we’re so much more entrenched into this mobile world, we’re focusing on new technology that can help us manage these sorts of devices. Things like advanced Mobile Management software and special mobile apps that protect corporate data.

With more and more of the software being controlled through cloud computing, the IT department is finding itself spending more time on its mobile security strategy than what it used to spend maintaining on-site software and servers.

BYOD

Then there’s the BYOD problem. In some ways, this is just the other side of the same coin. In other ways it presents even more problems for corporate data security. Consider the differences: either your company hands out phones that are all exactly the same, are controlled the same way, and have the same software; or you have a flood of different devices that run different operating systems, different software, and are in full control of the workforce. There’s a huge difference there.

Since companies are slowly warming to the idea of a bring-your-own-device world, IT departments have to do even more to secure their mobile data. They are planning around the idea of different types of devices, instead of a singular device companywide.

It also means that even more training is needed to ensure that employees understand the necessity of keeping data secure on their own devices. This training takes time and money, and while companies save money on devices, they will likely spend more on training and IT helpdesk services. They will have to make sure that employees know the consequences of lost data, of not keeping their device updated, and of not keeping the IT department informed of problems that could affect their devices.

Finally it means that the IT department will have to invest time in device research to know what devices will be allowed on the network and which won’t. They will need to know the differences between iOS and Android, and decide what they want to support.

The Post-PC Era: Good or Bad?

If you work in the IT department, you likely see the Post-PC world as a mixed bag. It keeps you busy, which means a bit more job security. On the other hand, it also means more challenging situations with security and training. No matter which side you land on, the Post-PC Era is upon us. The best way to cope with it is to be prepared for new and exciting adventures, new technology, and harrowing close-calls.

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As a member of the IT department, you are probably asked all the time what the next big computing revolution is. If you were to ask Google they’d either say Android or Chrome OS. If you don’t know what Chrome OS is, it’s basically a computer with a web browser. There are no native apps and very little storage. The question is, is this something that your IT department should recommend for use in your business?

If you run your company’s IT Helpdesk, you are probably always looking for technology that will make the management of computers easier and faster. Chrome OS has the potential to be the best thing ever for those of us who are sick of trying to explain the intricacies of every new version of Windows to the ignorant masses.

The whole point of Chrome OS is that it is just a browser. That’s it. You do have limited access to the small amount of storage on the device, but the OS is meant to be used completely in the cloud.

This is great for users who don’t require resource heavy or OS dependent software like Photoshop or Excel. This is for people who spend their entire day working in Google Docs, emailing, or doing research. The OS comes with the Chrome Store which has tons of great web apps that allow users to do things like basic video and audio editing to document management and creation.

The Barrier

The problem for Chrome OS in the enterprise is that it doesn’t do much more than what the web apps will allow. Any proprietary software or commercial software that your business uses will not run on Chrome OS. This means that Chrome OS will most likely never be the OS that your business uses exclusively. Because this is true, it means if your company does adopt it in some part, you (as the IT department) will have to support yet another OS. This probably isn’t great news for you since you are already supporting many other OS’s: Windows, Windows Server, Linux, Linux Server, and then you have the mobile OS’s that you probably support. Adding another OS to that mix, especially one that might not be supported by your device management software  could be a pain.

The Benefit

There are some benefits to having Chrome OS in your organization, however. The main one being is that it will be very easy to support. Since it is just a web browser, you won’t have to worry about supporting any software other than the OS itself. Also you will be able to control the entire use of the OS by the use of a simple Firewall.

Another benefit is that the training time to use the OS will be very low, if it even exists at all. It is just a web browser, after all, which means most users will be able to pick it up right away. The training you do do will probably consist of explaining the off line capability to users, and explaining how the cloud storage works. Another great benefit of ChromeOS is that many of the devices have built in cellular data connectivity, which makes these devices excellent for people who travel a lot.

The last benefit of this isn’t really a plus or minus for the IT department, but it will be a deciding factor for your management team. Chrome OS devices are (for the most part) very cheap. Some laptops are priced as low as $250 per unit, and that is when they are bought in single units. Buying them in bulk would significantly lower the price. There are exceptions to that rule, however. Google just released their own version of the Chromebook in the Chromebook Pixel. It costs $1300, so it isn’t anywhere near cheap. That device is more focused on the executive branch of the enterprise. Users who want a fancy and expensive laptop, but don’t need the power or Windows or Mac.

ChromeOS is not meant for power users, or for regular computer users, really. It is meant for the users in your organizations who do basic work on their computers. Things like manage and edit documents (that doesn’t require Word or Excel), do a ton of emailing, or do a lot of web work, all work extremely well on ChromeOS. The benefits for your company are more that it is easy to manage and exceptionally cheap.

What do you think? Will ChromeOS fit into your business? Talk back in the comments below!

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One thing is for sure, the mobile revolution is upon the corporate world, whether we want it or not. The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 changed everything for the enterprise world. Before that we were all comfortable with our little BlackBerries that did little more than email and text message.

The iPhone isn’t the only force in the mobile world anymore. In fact many users are flocking to Android because it is cheaper and more flexible. This means that as an IT helpdesk administrator you need be aware of the pros and cons of bringing Android into your support system and your business. Is Android safe for your enterprise?

BYOB and Android

Because there is such a plethora of Android devices on the market, it makes supporting Android one of the toughest things the IT department has to do. Every manufacturer does something different and is on a different upgrade cycle.

To enhance that point, Android 2.3 was released in 2010, and it is still the version that is on over 50% of Android smartphones. Since then there have been 8 major versions of Android released by Google. Because every version of Android is different, the support protocols for each version is different. Yikes~  This makes supporting Android hell for a lot of IT departments.

This fragmentation is what makes Android security a big problem for business.  Even if your BYOD policy specifies which phones and versions of Android are allowed, the security measures that need to be taken for each version are different. This means your support software needs to support ever version that you plan on allowing.

Fragmentation isn’t the only problem

The Android landscape is a mess because of the choices that it allows. Security is always easier when the ecosystem is locked down, like it is in the iPhone world. As with any open source operating system that is purely uncontrolled, malicious developers can spread their poison with less resistance than they can on a controlled platform.

For business this means constant regulation, special (and expensive) software applications, and constant and vigilant training of employees on what is proper. For the most part the iPhone is a give-and-go device, because you simply tell the employee not to lose it and to put a lock code on it, and they will be pretty safe. With Android you have to worry about all the extra things that are possible that aren’t possible on the iPhone. Things like being able to install non-market apps, for instance. Granted this functionality is turned off by default, but it is very easy for someone who is trying to customize their phone to make a mistake and download malicious code instead.

Another worry is that the Google Play marketplace isn’t as security conscious as the iPhone AppStore. There are stories about once a week of users downloading an app that is actually malware or virus-ware, that sends out contact information or is a secret key-logger. These are apps that are from the “okay” place.

Is it worth it?

With all the worry, what’s the future of Android in Enterprise? There are companies out there that are trying to make Android more secure. From MDM software companies that make it possible to lock down the ability to download apps, to things like Samsung’s SAFE line of devies that lock down the Play store, camera, wireless and off the ability for IT departments to remotely remove applications.

That is the hurdle for Android. Where there are tons of ways to control the iPhone and Apple helps with their own enterprise software, Android phones require a ton of help to make them safe for the Enterprise. Is the work and monetary effort worth it? What is the benefit to allowing Android in the enterprise?

Companies are starting to warm to the BYOD movement. If they really want to allow that, they can either be really strict with their device policies or really lax. If your company wants to give your workers the most choice of phones, software and carriers, then Android is the way to go. You’ll garner the love of your workers, but the hatred of your IT department. If, on the other hand, you want to spend less on MDM software, less on devices, and less on training, you will want to avoid Android all together.

If you work in the IT department and management wants to study the impact of bringing Android into the fold, your report needs to be clear on the costs of managing Android to make it secure enough for enterprise use.

Does your company allow Android smartphones?   If so, what pleasures and pains have you experienced?  Talk back in the comments below!

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It’s amazing how messy my desk gets sometimes.  I’m usually a very organized and fastidious person, but for some reason, my desk is a verifiable disaster.

A Clean Desk Helps you Work and Makes you Happy

It seems like such a small thing, but having a clean desk will make your IT work easier and more enjoyable. If, for instance, your desk is a destination for coworkers seeking help, a clean desk can help with your public image. People who see a messy desk may assume you are either lazy, unorganized or way too busy to help. While this might sound like an excellent way to get out of working, it might mean a reputation for you as someone who can’t be worked with, even if that isn’t true.

Beyond the public image thing, a clean workspace will make you happier and more productive. You will find yourself more willing to do projects if the remnants of the old project aren’t still strewen all over your desk. A clean desk will also help you keep track of important documents and tools since they won’t be hiding under detritus from three weeks ago. If you become properly organized, you might even come up with a system that allows you to find things quickly and easily.

Schedule Your Desk Cleanup Times

If you are an IT help desk technician, you probably know what it’s like to have a messy desk. Of course if you spend most of your time helping others organize and fix their problems, your issues probably go by the wayside. If you’re like me, your desk probably isn’t messy because you are unorganized, but instead because you just don’t have time to be tidy.

To fix this you need to schedule yourself some desk time. I set aside 5 minutes every day to clean my desk. I do it right at the beginning of the day so that I start the day fresh and clean, kinda like taking a shower. By the end of my 12 hour day my desk is right back to its usual chaotic state. I find that I work better during the day when my desk is clean in the morning. It makes me more productive and happier. It wouldn’t seem like it would be that big a deal, but a clean desk totally affects my morale.

Be Tidy Anyways

Doing the whole cleaning thing every single day might not work for you. If you are the type that puts things off, or simply can’t devote 5 minutes a day to something that simple, you might not be able to get your desk clean like that. For you it might be better to come up with a system that works for you. Put things in their place and then vow to yourself to always put things back where they are supposed to go.  That is the key.

No matter which way you decide to get your desk clean, you will have to use your will power to ensure that you follow your prescribed method of cleaning. If you let yourself lapse, you will find that your desk gets harder and harder to clean every single time. If you decide to schedule your desk clean up once a month, you might find that it becomes a huge task instead of a five minute job.

Bottom Line

I find that a clean desk makes me happier to be at work. Something about a pile of paper makes me think about all the work I need to do.   If you can find the time in your day each and every day to clean your desk, you will find that you workday isn’t as stressful and that you can actually find things when they’re needed. You will also notice that people might start to treat you differently if they see you’ve become an organized person.  Your bosses might even be impressed … who knows where it may lead to.

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The iPhone, some say, revolutionized smartphones. Of course, smartphones were around long before the iPhone. Both Palm and BlackBerry had smart devices that did more than just make a phone call. One of the best things about the iPhone is that it has tons of applications or “apps” that help make it even more useful. If you are an IT admin or IT helpdesk manager, here are 10 of the best apps you can recommend to your coworkers.

Number 10: Things for iPhone and iPad

Things is one of the best To-Do app on iOS. It lets you not only do the traditional list of things to do but also create projects that contain steps that need to be done. It has alarms and notifications, scheduled todo items so you can have ones that repeat, and it keeps a log of all of your completed projects.  However it is lacking a bit in a few features.  First it doesn’t integrate with the calendar (since Apple doesn’t allow app-to-app connections, but it could use CALDAV), and it is very expensive. A todo list is only good if it is on all of your devices. Things requires you to buy it on all the Apple platforms, and there is no Android version.

Number 9: iMessages

I know this isn’t a third party app, but it is quite awesome. Basically this is Apple’s version of BBM, which is what BlackBerry has used for the last few years. With iMessage you can text message anyone with an iOS device for free over 3G/LTE or WiFi. It is great for those who have multiple Apple devices as a lot of enterprise users are starting to do. Again the downside is that this is an Apple only solution.

Number 8: Teambox

Teambox for iOS manages your projects and time. What’s awesome though is it is based around teams and syncs to the cloud. It allows for a team manager who can assign tasks and set milestones, it gives the team a private chat area where they can discuss the project (much like Facebook chat), and it integrates with Google Calendar and CALDAV. Oh, and it’s free.  Sweet.

Number 7: Dropbox

Dropbox is awesome for both individuals and teams. Basically it is a folder that syncs across the cloud and devices. Put something in the folder it will upload to the cloud and sync to any other computer or smartphone/tablet that runs the software. Downside is that storage isn’t the cheapest of these services, but it is the best. The app itself is free.

Number 6: iA Writer

If you work at a company where a lot of your fellow coworkers do a lot of writing, iA Writer is a great minimalistic wordprocessor. It is just a white sheet where you do your writing. It syncs with Dropbox so you can access the documents via any text editor you wish on other platforms.

Number 5: Evernote

Along with a great todo app, most people need a place to store their notes. You can use Apple’s built in note taking app, but it really kinda sucks. No, for real note taking you need something that syncs, allows you to import anything and of course allows you to take notes. Evernote does that. It syncs across devices and to the cloud, allows you to import things like audio, video, photos and PDFs. It’s awesome and free for basic use.

Number 4: Google Maps

Apple’s maps post iOS 6 are terrible, you might have heard something about that.  Direction tools are handy throughout the enterprise from sales reps to IT help desk manager. Google Maps is the best Maps app on the iPhone, and it’s free. Turn by turn directions, traffic and public transportation options, and more.

Number 3: Numbers for iPhone

If you need to work on or view spreadsheets, this is a nice app. It’s a little pricey since it is an Apple app, but it works well. The problem of course is that it is an Apple app. If you work on Excel on your computer as most people do, Numbers will work with those files but just barely. Since there is no Excel for the iPhone (yet), this might be the best you can do.

Number 2: Chrome for iOS

One of the great things about having an always connected device in your pocket is being able to browse the Internet anytime, anywhere. Safari for the iPhone is okay, but if you are used to Chrome on your desktop, it’s nice to have the familiar experience. It is also great if you company use Google Apps for Business, since it lets you login to Google at the beginning and sync your stuff.

Number 1: Screens VNC Client

As an IT help desk person, your job is to help people with problems. If you use VNC options on your desktop, it might be nice to have one on your iPhone. Screens is fantastic for this. While it is a little where to control a computer with an iPhone, it works amazingly well. Downside is that it is pretty expensive.

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Apple took the world by storm in 2010 when the introduced the iPad. The iPad, meant at first as a consumer device, has now come to the enterprise in force. How has the influx of users and their iPads affected the IT department?

Smartphones vs Tablets

When companies think about BYOD, they are usually thinking about smartphones. Now that enterprise tablets have become a thing, IT departments are having to come up with new policies for them as well.  The question is what’s different about tablets?

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Smartphones are more portable than tablets which means they are more likely to get lost or misplaced. With tablets, people are less likely to leave them behind since they are usually big enough to be missed. That being said both smartphones and tablets should be encrypted and locked with a PIN. The difference between a tablet and a smartphone is in the way it is used. A smartphone may have sensitive data on it like company contacts and such, but a tablet could hold things like company contacts plus confidential company documents.

This means that tablets need to be treated much more like computers than a smartphone does. Security precautions that are reserved for laptops should also be put in place for tablets.

Choosing the right MDM

So first, what is MDM? MDM stands for Mobile Device Management. Basically a MDM suite is software that enables the IT department or IT Helpdesk to manage mobile devices.

The problem of course is that there are a lot of MDM suites out there. How do you choose the right one and how does that affect the management of tablets? When choosing BYOD management software, you need to list the things that your policy requires. Which platforms are you accepting (iOS vs Android?), if you are going to permit Android – which versions are you allowing? Then you need to take a look at the different MDM suites that are available and see which ones a) you can run on your current infrastructure, and b) fit your BYOD policies.

It may behoove you actually select your MDM suite before you round out your BYOD policy, since MDM’s vary in cost and effectiveness. This means you don’t want to come up with a policy that only the top-tier MDM will handle then find out you can’t afford the top-tier MDM.

Most MDM’s will handle tablet support as well as smartphones (at least the good ones do), in addition to their support of desktop OSs. If you don’t already have an MDM in place, then when searching for an appropriate MDM make sure that it has tablet support, even if you aren’t planning on supporting tablets right out of the gate.

iOS vs Android

The age old question in technology used to be Mac vs PC. Now it is iOS vs Android. Who would have thought that Linux would finally be a major OS. Nobody thought it would be a mobile OS, but still. Of course Android isn’t exactly the Linux your father new, but the basis is still there.

Which OS should your company choose? As an IT department or IT Help Desk manager, it will be your responsibility to manage the devices that are part of your BYOD policy. You should know the difference between iOS and Android when it comes to deployment in the enterprise space. iOS has more apps that are enterprise specific. Android, being Linux, has customizability options that iOS can only dream about. The problem is that Android isn’t nearly as enterprise ready as iOS is. iOS has apps that are of running enterprise level awesomeness, while Android doesn’t have as many. Android will be easier to get your own apps onto, but Apple also allows businesses to side load their applications.

When it comes to tablets, the iPad is really king (at the moment). If you limit your tablet support to just the iPad, things should go much easier for you. Android tablets, like Android smartphones, are fragmented with different OS versions, different manufacturers and different skins. Not all Android software will run on all Android tablets. This will cause grief and pain beyond what iOS will cause. The general employee will also be much happier with the iPad because of the sheer number tablet optimized enterprise applications, most of which Android lacks.

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JumpPuppy is a cloud-based IT help desk for IT professionals and MSPs.

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