Good Technology Adds Data Billing Management to MDM Toolkit

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Good Technology is hoping to eliminate one of the thorniest issues affecting bring your own device (BYOD) environments.

Mobile device management (MDM) vendors have largely solved problem of work and personal apps and data separate with containerized solutions. However, determining who’s on the hook for carrier service charges, from both a financial and compliance perspective, can add complexity to enterprise mobility initiatives.

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Good Technology is looking to give organizations visibility into and control over cellular data usage.

The new Good Work with Data offering, available for pilot deployments (iOS and Android), offers carrier-independent data billing management options that enable IT administrators to link business apps to their corresponding cellular data usage. This allows businesses to segregate personal and work-related charges and bill work-related activities directly to the organization.

Good Technology first announced their split-billing MDM solution on July 31. “Data charges are critical in controlling enterprise BYOD deployment costs and, with this announcement, we are ushering in a new era with reduced corporate data stipend,” said CEO Christy Wyatt at the time.

“By integrating a corporate data plan and split billing into our new Good collaboration app and Good Dynamics platform, we are enabling the next wave of innovation for customers who are scaling their mobility efforts,” continued Wyatt.

Now, the MDM provider contends that Good Work with Data eases the cost concerns of mobile-enabled productivity for smartphone and tablet users. Employers, on the other hand, don’t have to resort to stipend and reimbursement programs.

Ultimately, both parties benefit, according to the company. “Additionally, when an employee knows that the cost of using a business app will be paid for by their employer, and not charged against their personal data plan, enterprises can realize greater mobility benefits and user engagement,” said Good Technology in a statement.

In prepared remarks, 451 Group research director Chris Hazelton observed that the enterprise mobility management market “is quickly evolving to be defined by enterprise access management and control of data across all devices, including IoT [the Internet of Things]. The ability to monitor and control data across all the devices in the hands of employees will be increasingly important – including the ability to define the service costs associated with work on personal devices in BYOD environments.”

Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at InfoStor. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.

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