Windows Mobile 6 for Enterprise Users

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/faqs/6/wm6enterprise.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/faqs/6/wm6enterprise.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"With Windows Mobile 6, Microsoft has added many new features for Enterprise users. This article discusses the new features and how they relate to using Windows Mobile 6 (WM6) in the enterprise. However if you are a regular user you will hear about features you can take advantage of as well. ... Overall Microsoft has made major enhancements that enterprise users need to Windows Mobile 6. They clearly see Windows Mobile 6 needing more and more desktop features to compete in the marketplace. With these additional features I see Windows Mobile 6 meeting more users needs than prior releases."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-2007mar-encrypt.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Chris De Herrera has published an excellent article that details all the features in Window Mobile 6 aimed at the enterprise users. Most of the features being talked about in the article will also help out the consumers. The screen shots that Chris has used are from the Professional edition, but they would apply to the Standard edition as well. I am excited about the HTML email support and the improvements in IE.

[onlydarksets]

I applaud the effort, but this is problematic for me if it's an all-or-nothing deal. I would love to encrypt everything, but, because pretty much every device is USB 1.1, I need to be able to transfer movies and some music via a card reader. Accordingly, I would like to be able to encrypt part of the card, but have the other part accessible via a card reader. I'm not holding my breath, though.

[Bushrod]

Give this a try. It lets you create an encrypted volume as part of the card:

http://www.softwinter.com/sentry_ce.html

I haven't tried it but it looks promising.

[onlydarksets]

Given that it's a $50 solution and that it specifically omits Smartphone and WM6 Standard from its list of supported platforms, I'll probably pass. Thanks for the heads up, though!

[Kris Kumar]

Accordingly, I would like to be able to encrypt part of the card, but have the other part accessible via a card reader.

You have raised very good point. Wish there was an option to encrypt only the My Documents folder and Application Data folder. Or the other way round of just excluding a folder.

[onlydarksets]

It's a shame, too, since this problem is easily avoided by putting USB 2.0 in the phones. Seriously, is it even possible to buy a USB 1.1 device anymore, other than a Smartphone?

[Mike Temporale]

I think there would be too much confusion if they allowed only part of the card to be encrypted. There's a lot of people out there that just don't care about these things. The enterprise says it's this way and so be it. IF they only set a folder for encryption then the user might actually place a file outside of that folder and risk corporate secrets without knowing it.

USB2 on devices is a must have - I just don't understand why we haven't seen more of it yet. :(

[Kris Kumar]

Another feature that I believe WM6 supports but not every manufacturer might opt to include it is VoIP and UMA. If I remember correctly Microsoft has the support for it in the core WM6 functionality and only HP is using it in their phones. It is a feature aimed at the corporate PBX.

[Mike Temporale]

Yup - it's there. I'm not sure who is going to support it on their devices. I'm sure it will be more than HP.

[developerzero]

I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it,but did you notice it says

Windows Update

Another item that Microsoft included with Windows Mobile 6 is Windows Update. So now you can check for new updates from Microsoft right on your device. This will free you from waiting for your OEM to issue a new rom update.


Which means (Almost) No More ROMs!

Whenever there is a necessary update, we can get it straight from Microsoft without having to wait for a ROM update from the OEM.

Too bad most ROM updates typically only have to deal with driver updates, instead of OS updates.

It's still a great feature though.