Systems management is exploring a new frontier-your pocket. Although the idea of using mobile devices for remote management isn’t new, the choices available to IT managers and staff are growing by leaps and bounds. Of course, the more portable the device, the more likely it is that you’ll have it with you when you need it. With that in mind, here are three important considerations when you’re evaluating go-anywhere management tools.
1. Security, Part 1: There’s no way to overstate this concern. The tools you use have to provide an acceptable level of protection both of credentials and of communications. Encryption is a must, but take a good look at key lengths and encryption algorithms as well, both for data stored on the device or data in flight.
2. Platform support: In the majority of situations, a tool that can work with 80 percent of your installed base is more useful than a tool that’s able to get very granular with only half your systems.
3. Don’t forget the back end: What do you need to install or configure on other systems in order for the app to be useful?
Want more tips? Read the eWeek article Critical Testing Criteria: Mobile Apps for System Management.