The industry appears to have rediscovered the need for device management, but the TeleManagement Forum has begun asking if it is a solution in need of a standard.

Last month, Microsoft introduced a new mobile device management portfolio, which includes client software that allows an IT department to control policy, programs and access to Windows Mobile devices. Last week, CA launched an enterprise device management system for BlackBerrys. Other software companies are following suit.

While the Microsoft package will manage only its own devices and CA's solution is for BlackBerry users, there is a growing interest in, and frustration with, service providers offering device management solutions. According to Coleman-Parkes Research, 95% of enterprises are looking for a mobile device management solution, and 88% of them expect their operator to have a role in providing it.

Last week the TMF launched a program to look at management in wireless, cable and consumer electronics to determine if a universal approach is possible. The forum is proposing a lightweight standard application, or protocol, for all devices to allow end-to-end management.

Keith Willetts, chairman of the TMF, said the forum is not getting into the device business; it is, however, inviting outside experts to see if developing a management standard is feasible. He knows he is up against a strong tide from device manufacturers.

“We are on a journey we don't know if it is possible to solve,” Willetts said, “but with billions of devices out there that are unmanaged, where you don't know if they're alive or dead and you can't configure them, or devices that are managed in different ways, you end up with a horrible, untenable mess.”

Norman Rice, vice president of communications, media and entertainment for CA, said he believes the device management market will play out at the service provider layer. If so, a standards-based approach may have a shot. The forum has already completed some underlying standardization work through IPDR.org, which provides management software for CableLabs-approved devices.

Willetts said devising a standard is easy; getting industries such as consumer electronics to buy in is the challenge.

95%
of U.S. CIOs are in the market for a solution to manage and secure enterprise mobile devices and applications.

88%
expect the operator to have a role in enterprise mobile device management.

Source: Mformation Technologies