{"id":10183,"date":"2021-06-01T00:42:06","date_gmt":"2021-05-31T19:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hexnode.com\/blogs\/?p=10183"},"modified":"2022-09-29T09:17:25","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T03:47:25","slug":"android-enterprise-app-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hexnode.com\/blogs\/android-enterprise-app-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Hassle free app management with Android Enterprise & Hexnode"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our workspaces have never remained static; it has come a long way from the legacy Windows OS, accommodating many fewer known concepts, including the BYOD<\/a> (Bring Your Own Device). With BYOD emerged the new trend of employees using their personal devices for work. Though it simplified the work of the employees, its challenges weren\u2019t something that could be ignored. A need for effective work and personal app segregation and enterprise app management was what surfaced as an immediate consequence. For accommodating this trend, while ensuring security, Google began implementing APIs for extending its control over Android devices.<\/p>\n

We then witnessed its rapid evolution from the Device Admin API<\/a> to the Android for Work, launched initially as an optional solution that was then made a mandatory component for manufacturers. And it was this Android for work that was renamed to what we now know as the Android Enterprise<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before we begin- A peek into some Enterprise terms<\/h2>\n

Android Enterprise has reduced the device management burden on the IT teams to a great extent. To dive deeper into Android Enterprise, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of its terms. Let\u2019s have a look at some of these \t\t

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Containerization<\/h4>\n

It refers to creating a separate work container within the device hosting the work apps and data. With this container in place, it is easier to manage the work data without affecting the personal files on the device.<\/p>\n

Work profile<\/h4>\n

It is a separate space created in managed devices to host the work apps and data. Enterprises have full control over the data in this workspace. The personal apps and data, however, remain inaccessible to the IT team.<\/p>\n

Profile owner<\/h4>\n

It is a device management aspect whereby the IT manages only the work profile, and the user has full control over all the other personal apps and data.
\nDevice owner- Here, the organizations have full management control over the device. It is meant for corporate devices with a great emphasis on security.<\/p>\n

Enterprise apps<\/h4>\n

These are organization-specific apps that are developed to meet the needs of their employees. The distribution of these apps is restricted to organizations and is not accessible through public platforms like Google Play.<\/p>\n

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How are Android devices used in an enterprise scenario?<\/h2>\n

\"Different<\/a><\/center>
Different types of enterprise devices<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Android Enterprise- The basic framework<\/h2>\n

An Android Enterprise solution comprises three major elements; the EMM console, Android device policy, and the Managed Google Play, which works in unison to manage the different endpoints.<\/p>\n

\"Components<\/a><\/center>EMM console basically acts like a unified platform from which the IT can easily manage the apps and devices in their organization. This is achieved by integrating the console with the APIs and UI components provided by Android Enterprise. Next on the list is the Android device policy which acts as a communication channel between the EMM console and the device, ensuring that all your policies are being applied to your devices. Additionally, you have Managed Google Play- the Play store tailored for the enterprises, simplifying app addition and approval by integrating into EMM console and supplying them with features like public app search, private app publishing, web app publishing, and app organization. \t\t
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Hexnode For Work<\/h4>\n

Android Enterprise provides organizations the flexibility to choose between Google\u2019s Android device policy app with Android management API<\/a> or the EMM\u2019s custom Device Policy Controller<\/a> (DPC) app along with Google Play EMM API. The Device Policy Controller app acts just like the Android device policy app, serving as a link with the EMM software for applying the required profiles and settings to the devices. Hexnode\u2019s DPC- Hexnode For Work<\/a> makes it easier to manage enterprise devices by making it possible to incorporate features beyond the well-defined ones laid out by Google\u2019s Android Management API.<\/p>\n

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App management with Android Enterprise and Hexnode<\/h2>\n

Mobile devices have come a long way from their communication-only use case, evolving into an all-in-one tool capable of managing a business. And this wouldn\u2019t be possible without the vast array of apps that we now have on our devices.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Google Play app revenue<\/a> has grown from 15 billion in 2016 to 38.6 billion in 2020\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now users can easily access and record enterprise data without any restrictions. Though this seems like an advantage, it can easily turn into a disadvantage without an effective device management mechanism in place capable of securing data, potentially turning these devices into weak data-exposing links. EMM solutions have developed a lot of features that make app management easier. Let’s take a look at how Hexnode makes this possible.<\/p>\n

Enterprise app addition and distribution<\/h3>\n

Managed Google Play<\/a> is the Android Enterprise\u2019s store that allows you to select, purchase and manage your organizational apps. Hexnode allows you to easily approve and add Managed Google Play apps to the app inventory from the Managed Google Play and directly deploy them to the target devices. \t\t

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How is this done?<\/h4>\n