Google launches Android for Work

Android for Works, was originally unveiled at last year's Google I/O developer conference, offering the ability for an Android user to bring their own Android smartphone or tablet to work. At work, a secure container can be opened which allows users to access Google apps that are customized for business use. Keep in mind that this secure container is available only on Android 5.0 powered handsets.

Your company's IT department will not be able to access your personal data. For those with handsets that can't be updated to Lollipop, Google is offering a separate app that offers secure mail, calendar, contacts, documents, browsing and other work apps. Google Play for Work will make sure that on the business side, only apps approved by the IT department are available to add to your phone or slate. The customized Google apps in the container will sit side-by-side with some third party apps for the enterprise like Box, SAP and Salesforce 1. Android for Work Product Management Director Rajen Sheth told those attending a San Francisco press conference that "Every employee should have a work-enabled mobile device in their hands."

Additionally, BlackBerry also made an announcement today that its EMM solution, BES12, will support devices running Android for Work. BES already allows a corporation to manage employees' handsets running BlackBerry, Android, iOS and Windows Phone. With Wednesday's release, BlackBerry said that BES12 will work with Android for Work at the office or via the cloud "while providing unhindered access to Google Now and any Android application available on Google Play that is permitted by an organization’s IT policies."

Once your work day has ended, the Android for Work user switches his phone back for personal use.

source - BusinessInsider | GigaOM