Good for Enterprise is a single application which integrates email, contacts and calendar and allows the user to seamlessly and intuitively switch between the different functions. The application uses the familiar panorama and pivot views of the Metro UI and the different modules closely follow the design of the built in applications (especially for email and calendar functionality). All the data stored, received and sent by the application is encrypted (AES 192 bit) to ensure corporate security is maintained.
In Good for Windows Phone there's a strong emphasis on providing security at the application layer. This make sense in an enterprise world where BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is becoming increasingly common and where it may not be possible (or desirable) to lock down a device at the hardware or platform level, but where it is important to secure corporate data. This allows a user to use their device as they see fit (i.e. install personal apps, email accounts etc.), but still ensure that corporate data and functionality is as secure as on a fully managed device.
On the server side, there's also a wide range of device management options, which can be accessed via a web based control panel from any browser. Options include role based administration and policy settings (set different policies for different employee types) and remote wipe (delete data and Good application if device is lost or stolen).
As we noted in our original story Good for Enterprise gives the Windows Phone platform stronger enterprise credentials:
While Windows Phone does support Microsoft's Exchange platform, it currently supports only a subset of the more advanced enterprise related functionality. Microsoft says this is because the initial focus for Windows Phone was consumer support and that improvements to Exchange functionality will be delivered via over the air software updates. The next version of Windows Phone is likely to deliver significant improvements in this area, as part of a push to make the platform "enterprise ready". This will also include features such as improvements in remote device provisioning and management, improved security policy implementation and data encryption. However these features will only arrive later in the year and it is also important for Microsoft to support solutions that are already being actively used and deployed in the business market.
The arrival on Good Technology's solution on the Windows Phone platform helps fill the enterprise gap in the platforms functionality. Enabling secure email is especially important as many companies are bound by legal regulatory frameworks that dictate how email should be sent, stored and delivered. This can include, but is not limited to minimum levels of data encryption, data storage policies and regulator approved certification requirements. Some industries (legal, financial) require these as a matter of course for all activities and others may need them for specific contracts (e.g. working on a government project).
Good for Enterprise can be downloaded from the Windows Phone Marketplace for free. Additional server side software and configuration is also required - in most cases this will be handled by enterprise IT departments.