Microsoft is busy making a strong play for the corporate smartphone market with its Windows Phone 8 smartphone operating system (OS). The Redmond-based software giant is trumpeting the enterprise-level features that it says will slot the platform in seamlessly with most business IT infrastructures.

According to Anthony Doherty, Microsoft South Africa’s operator channels lead, the recent launch of the new Office 2013 makes Windows Phone an even more attractive proposition for local businesses. This, since Windows Phone OS is the only mobile platform boasting Office Mobile and Outlook Mobile right out of the box.

In addition, the cloud-based functionality of Office 365 means that any changes made to documents, such as last-minute additions to PowerPoint presentations for example, are automatically synced with existing versions on other devices.

“We’ve deliberately made Windows Phone 8 easy to deploy and manage in a Windows infrastructure, so employees can communicate and contribute right out of the box. It integrates seamlessly with a wide range of Microsoft servers and services such as Exchange Server, SharePoint, Lync as well as Office 365 and Windows Azure. Window Phone 8 fits well with what you already have and know,” Doherty added.

Security also a crucial part of Windows Phone offerings

Doherty stated that security remains a major concern for corporate IT departments, adding that  Windows Phone 8 offers robust security features that protects both a user’s data and privacy. These features include secured boot, which allows only validated software components to execute, full device encryption, Information Rights Management (IRM) to prevent intellectual property from unauthorised disclosure, and remote wipe.

Microsoft has also considered the app needs of business users by providing what it calls “controlled access” to line-of-business (LOB) information, as Windows Phone 8 facilitates full enterprise LOB support by allowing companies to develop and distribute their own apps and manage their own private software. The platform further offers custom hubs, which allow businesses to host their own curated app content, in order to deliver all the business apps and information employees need to be productive on the go.

“With the number of devices already in the local market, we’re now at a point where we are delivering smartphones that users want – with the capabilities that organisations need,” concluded Doherty.

In related news, Microsoft and Huawei recently unveiled a new Windows Phone OS powered smartphone - the Huawei 4Afrika - which is the first in a series of smart devices being custom developed for Africa and released as part of Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative.