D&H Adds MDM to Portfolio with Microsoft, Sophos Wares

The bring your own device (BYOD) trend is certainly making an impact across the channel as IT departments struggle to tie in security needs and network access control with the smartphones and tablets employees are using for work and play. D&H Distributing joins the fray by offering mobile device management (MDM) solutions, including Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) System Center 2012 and Sophos’ Mobile Control software.

According to D&H, the aim is to help channel partners and resellers tap into the burgeoning market by giving their customers secure solutions as increasingly mobile employees access corporate networks remotely via a host of mobile devices.

Using software located on the corporate server, Sophos Mobile Control loads an agent on each employee’s mobile device acting as a protected gateway to the network. A lost or stolen device can be “bricked,” disabling all its functions and applications.

Microsoft System Center 2012 delivers software and updates to each employee’s mobile device. The software is loaded on company servers, and is used to manage client machines, including user access and security management, and software update distribution.

The platform, which integrates with Sophos’ Mobile Control software, also includes an Identity and Access Management feature, which authenticates and coordinates access to the network from each mobile device.

Both Mobile Control and System Center 2012 are available through a licensing agreement through D&H’s Licensing Desk.