AirWatch 8, the most significant update since VMware acquired AirWatch a year ago, will be available to customers later this quarter. According to a press release issued by the company last week, “… AirWatch 8 will revolutionize the way end users interact with enterprise mobility from the moment a device is unboxed, streamline the management of virtually every device type and mobile application for IT, and better enable organizations to change business processes through mobile technology.”
AirWatch 8 will be available to customers through an upcoming environment upgrade. When the new platform is live, users will be able to access the full release notes in myAirWatch, which will include a detailed account of new features. Here are a few highlights:
On the Console
- More granular telecom expense management
- A mobile console so administrators can manage devices, apps and content on the go
- Support for managing Chromebooks
- New capabilities for Mac OS X devices, including multiuser management, Volume Purchase Program support and the ability to push software updates
For Users
- Biometric authentication with EyeVerify, which scans the veins of your eyes to unlock apps and eliminates the need for a passcode
- A redesigned, more intuitive web enrollment interface and a more streamlined experience across devices and OSes
- Enhanced platform integration with Box for secure content access, collaboration and document editing using AirWatch Content Locker
- Socialcast by VMware integration with AirWatch Content Locker, which enables document sharing, previewing and downloading without leaving Socialcast
- Two new AirWatch collaboration apps: AirWatch Chat for secure messaging and AirWatch Video, which integrates with Wistia’s content delivery network (CDN)
These were just a few of the hundreds of console changes included in AirWatch 8. For much more information, read the AirWatch press release and the blog article at AirWatch Connect, or register for the upcoming AirWatch 8 webinar.
