Samsung backs business transformation

Samsung has launched a series of initiatives to further business transformation, focused primarily on security and productivity.

The company is rolling out a range of hardware to business applications as well as creating a set of unique solutions secured by Samsung's KNOX platform. These solutions will be available starting with the Samsung Galaxy S7, the company says.

An expanded commitment to secure mobility

On the Android platform, enterprises can deploy robust business solutions. Now, starting with the Galaxy S7, Samsung extends this by delivering Android for Work (AfW) hardened by Samsung KNOX. This allows AfW customers to realise the same core elements of hardware-backed protection that government and other highly regulated industries receive when they use Samsung KNOX, the company says.

"Samsung is giving enterprises and professionals the most productive and secure mobility experience available on the market today," says Dr. Injong Rhee, Samsung Electronics executive vice president and head of R-D, software and services, Mobile Communications Business.

"You gain next-generation innovation that can help bring you and your business to a new level of growth. The robustness of Android, the award winning security benefits of KNOX cannot be matched," says Rhee.

Enterprise device programme

Starting with the Galaxy S7, Samsung is also announcing the Enterprise Device Program (EDP). This multi-faceted programme is designed to give businesses confidence in the purchase decision with respect to security and availability of the devices, Samsung says.

There are two core components of the EDP:

Monthly security updates

In 2015, Samsung began working with industry partners and operators to distribute monthly Android security updates on Samsung Galaxy devices. Samsung has extended their security commitments to now include over 100 countries.

These critical security updates include both Android core and Samsung specific security patches to give the global customer base assurances they will receive security updates in a timely manner to maximise device security and productivity.

"With Android for Work, we've invested a lot to make Android a trusted platform for people to use in the workplace.

"With Samsung further reinforcing the platform with KNOX and committing to monthly security updates, the Samsung Galaxy S7 will be one of the best choices on the market today for enterprises," says Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google SVP of Android, Chrome OS - Chromecast.

Two-year device purchase programme

Samsung recognises the need for enterprises to have a complete device lifecycle management programme in place. Enterprise customers are now able to take advantage of a two-year purchase assurance programme for select device models, starting with the Galaxy S7, giving them the ability to purchase the same device model up to two years from the device's market availability.

This programme will simplify how customers define their fleet of devices and manage their refresh cycles, Samsung says.