Samsung Mobile is trying to simplify enterprise adoption of the Android OS with the introduction of SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise) and the first SAFE-branded smartphone in the United States, the Galaxy S III.
With SAFE, Samsung is attempting to make Android devices secure and manageable by meeting the needs of IT and the growing number of businesses allowing employees to "bring your own device" (BYOD) to work. Samsung created SAFE as a way to defragment the Android OS across multiple versions from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich at U.S. carriers. Out of the box, the SAFE-branded Galaxy S III - available at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and US Cellular by July - supports a suite of enterprise-ready features and capabilities with support for 338 IT Policies. This includes on-device AES-256 bit encryption, enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and support for Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions.
Samsung also developed a quality assurance program. This program begins with MDM and VPN solutions providers using Samsung's software development kit to integrate their solution on the SAFE device. Once the development effort is completed, Samsung and the solution provider then test and verify the device's support for the MDM and/or VPN software. This collaboration, coupled with the testing process, creates solutions that are optimized for SAFE devices and enterprise use including adoption within regulated industries such as healthcare, financial services and government.
The Galaxy S III offers:
- AllShare Play - Group Cast: Securely share PowerPoint presentations and PDFs with business partners also using Galaxy S III devices
- Share Shot: Quickly compile and share photos with colleagues and contacts
- S Beam One Touch Sharing (NFC and Wi-Fi Direct): Quickly exchange contact and meeting information or company documents by simply tapping phones together. S Beam can also be controlled via an MDM solution.
- Intelligent Display and Motion: Focus on the job at hand with intuitive features like Direct Call and Smart Stay
With the launch of the SAFE-branded Galaxy S III, Samsung is also announcing the availability of a trade-up program called SAFE2SWITCH which simplifies the transition to Samsung SAFE devices from Samsung or other manufacturers' smartphones. The program gives users the ability to quickly see how much their smartphones are worth, so they can quickly trade-in for a SAFE device. With it, a user will soon be able to scan a QR code with an existing smartphone to be taken to a site than can detect the smartphone model and present its value and provide directions for a trade-in to a SAFE smartphone. The QR codes will be published in computer trade magazines, Samsung said.
