Google launches Android for Work – and it supports BlackBerry BES12 mobile security platform

Google has launched its Android for Work mobile device management (MDM) platform, allowing users to keep their work and private apps and data separate, with full support for BlackBerry’s BES12 service.

On devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop, the separate work container, including the apps and work data it contains, will be able to be remotely deployed and managed through Google Play for Work. This work container is completely separate from the personal apps, data, content and contacts of users.

For devices running older version of Android, from 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to 4.4 KitKat, Google has created an app which allows employees to access secure mail, calendar, contacts, documents, browsing and approved work apps.

Google said it has also developed “enterprise grade” email, contacts and calendar apps with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes support, along with apps to edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations. It comes just days after the tech giant announced separately it is launching a version of Inbox for Google at Work.

Google has also partnered with BlackBerry for Android for Work, allowing BlackBerry’s BES12 MDM servers to remotely manage Android for Work containers. A number of major business software publishers including Salesforce, SAP, Adobe, Concur and Box have already signed up to support the platform.

For its part, BlackBerry now supports Android devices using most of its enterprise software products and services, including BBM Meetings video conferencing, BBM Protected secure messaging, VPN Authentication and Work/Life device management.