Android App for Employers to Block Employees Use of Apps

jlm2000 · February 21st, 2012, 11:11 AM

Hello! Can anyone tell me if they have seen an app that employers can use to block employees from using all applications (except 1 specific app, email, text message and phone)? I have searched and searched and can't find anything.

Unfortunately, our employees are abusing the phone and it is costing our firm money.

Thank you!

A.Nonymous · February 21st, 2012, 11:31 AM

Take the phones away from them and go with Blackberries. They do have the ability to lock them down completely even down to what apps can be used.

valorian · February 21st, 2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.Nonymous

Take the phones away from them and go with Blackberries. They do have the ability to lock them down completely even down to what apps can be used.

I also think this would be your best option. Android phones do not have the corporate lock down features that BlackBerry Enterprise would give you. BBE would give your IT dept. as much control over the phones as they do over the PCs.

aysiu · February 21st, 2012, 01:54 PM

Maybe look at some parental control / nanny apps?

Something like this?
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.vlobe.smartappcloud.android.parenta lcontrol&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEs ImNvbS52bG9iZS5zbWFydGFwcGNsb3VkLmFuZHJvaWQucGFyZW 50YWxjb250cm9sIl0.

mrcaptain · February 21st, 2012, 04:28 PM

Or just tell them that misuse of the phones is against company policy.

A.Nonymous · February 21st, 2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcaptain

Or just tell them that misuse of the phones is against company policy.

Some employees don't care.

The applocking programs will work except that I don't think they will automatically encompass any newly installed apps. So you can lock down all the apps that are currently on the phone, the user then installs new apps and those apps aren't locked. Some of them may block the installation of any apps though so they may work for you. I think BBS is going to be the best bet though. It really is the best if you want/need granular control over your devices. Either that or you can scrap the smart phones altogether and just issue dumb phones.

aysiu · February 21st, 2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.Nonymous

The applocking programs will work except that I don't think they will automatically encompass any newly installed apps. So you can lock down all the apps that are currently on the phone, the user then installs new apps and those apps aren't locked. Some of them may block the installation of any apps though so they may work for you.

The one I linked to blocks all apps except the ones you allow. So the simple solution would be to not allow non-Market apps to install, block Settings, and block Market.

DaWeav · February 22nd, 2012, 12:41 AM

Good Technology is the Android and iOS alternative to the Blackberry Enterprise Server. I don't know how much there server/service cost, but it should outweigh all of your present wireless costs since it uses the employees own personal handheld device and data plan which is not on the companies dime since this model is a 'BYOD' (bring your own device) option. Otherwise, just do what the second post advised and invest in Blackberry's and the Blackberry Enterprise Server model.