GSuite has added an important new bit of functionality in the form of Android App Management, which comes in two basic flavors.  There are some things you can do using the company’s basic app management console, but to get access to the full range of features, you’ll need to set up an advanced account. It’s a significant and most welcome change indeed, enabling a whole host of new features. Here’s the quick breakdown.

Using the basic app management feature, admins can now:

• Maintain a device inventory
• Enable basic password enforcement
• Gain access to mobile reports
• Enable hijacking protection
• Perform remote account wipes on company devices
• Create a list of apps that can be installed on work devices

The advanced management console allows all of the above plus:

• Standard and strong password enforcement
• Device approvals
• Strategic blocking of devices
• Remote device wipes
• iOS App management
• Android work profiles which allow you to create different allowed apps on a per profile basis
• Device audits and alerts
• Establish device management rules and security policies
• Bulk enrollments for company-owned desktops and Android devices

In addition to that, Admins will now be able to remotely install apps on any user device and prevent users from uninstalling apps.  You even have the option to create your own web or private apps as needed.  This is huge because a private app does not need to be run through the same checks and security protocols as an app that’s destined for an appearance on the Play Store account, which means you won’t even have to create a Play Store Console account if you don’t already have one.

GSuite just keeps getting better and better.  Kudos to Google for the latest changes.  Managing your company’s digital assets has never been easier.