Microsoft considers opening up Device Manager

Door left open to support for non-Windows Mobile devices

SAN FRANCISCO -- Microsoft Corp.'s new Mobile Device Manager faces a shortcoming because it is exclusive to Windows Mobile devices, but that might change, an executive said today.

Scott Horn, general manager of Microsoft's mobile and embedded device group, left the door open to potential future support for devices that aren't based on Windows Mobile.

"Today, we have nothing to announce," he said. "But we're looking at it, we're thinking about it. Who knows what the future brings." Horn spoke during a press lunch at the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment conference here.

He mentioned that Microsoft has in the past licensed Active Sync as a way to extend services to non-Microsoft devices.

Microsoft introduced System Center Mobile Device Manager at the conference. The software lets IT administrators manage and secure Windows Mobile phones. Unlike some other management products on the market, including Nokia Corp.'s Intellisync, it is only compatible with phones running the Windows Mobile operating system.

AT&T Inc., which is supporting Mobile Device Manager, has encountered inertia among IT administrators when it comes to supporting mobile devices. IT managers are worried about security and management issues, said Mike Woodward, vice president for business marketing at AT&T. He said the System Center Mobile Device Manager software and the services of Enterprise Mobile, a new company supported by Microsoft, will spur more enterprise use of mobile phones. Woodward could not offer specifics about how AT&T will support Mobile Device Manager or how it will work with Enterprise Mobile.

For now, the new software and the services from Enterprise Mobile, which helps organizations deploy and manage mobile phones, are designed for large operations. Mobile Device Manager, which is expected to come out next year, could support as many as 5,000 users. Enterprise Mobile doesn't expect to begin thinking about serving smaller businesses for another 12 to 18 months, because it will be focused on making sure it knows what large organizations need, said Steve Moore, president of Enterprise Mobile.

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