Android Enterprise

Organizations that use Android Enterprise to manage their Mobile Server applications can deploy Android Enterprise application management capabilities with HCL Connections for Android. This includes the ability to provision application configuration settings, and enforce Android Enterprise security policies. The Android Enterprise capability is built directly into the base version of HCL Connections for Android that is delivered to mobile devices by using Google Play. Make sure that your organization is ready to deploy Android Enterprise by reviewing the following information.

Required components and recommended versions

The following components are required at the specified minimum levels:

  • HCL Connections Cloud or HCL Connections server 4.0.0 or later.
    Important: To take advantage of the MAM Required policy, enforcing access to an on-premises HCL Connections Server only through an MDM-managed application, HCL Connections server 5.0 CR4, or 5.5 CR2 is required.
  • An Enterprise Mobility Manager (EMM) capable of managing Android Enterprise profiles. For example, Google, MaaS360, MobileIron, Citrix, or AirWatch.
    Note: Be sure to check with your EMM provider to determine any minimum requirements they have to support Android Enterprise.
  • The Device Policy Controller (DPC) of the EMM provider must be installed on the mobile device.
  • An Android Enterprise capable device. Which is any device that runs Android Lollipop 5.1+ or higher.
    Note: There are some Android 5.0 devices that are Android Enterprise capable, but not all are.

Binding Android Enterprise to an Enterprise Mobility Manager

Your EMM must be configured to enable Android Enterprise and recognize Android Enterprise users. The following URL provides an overview for configuring a third-party EMM provider for Android Enterprise: https://support.google.com/work/android/answer/6174046. Some of the steps for enabling an EMM administrator console for Android Enterprise vary depending on providers and you should consult your EMM documentation for information on exactly how the EMM manages Android Enterprise devices.

Making Apps available for Android Enterprise

When an EMM is bound to Android Enterprise for a managed Google account or managed Google Play account, the Google administrator for the account can navigate to Google Play for Work and approve the apps to be used by users. Once the apps are approved in Google Play, they must be added to the EMM administration console. Administrators should consult the EMM provider documentation for how to add Android Enterprise apps to the administration console.

Updating applications

As with all Android Enterprise enabled applications, updates to the secure applications are managed through the Google Play for Work app store. If there are permissions changes, the administrator (Google account binding the EMM to Android Enterprise) must review and accept the permissions for the upgrade to take place through the EMM.