VMware adds virtualization to mobile phones

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

In an effort to solve the dilemma of using personal mobile devices for business tasks, or vice versa, virtualization software provider VMware recently announced it has partnered with LG Electronics to bring virtualization to smartphones.

Next year, LG will release an Android-based smartphone that utilizes VMware's client hypervisor, enabling enterprises to improve security while also allowing flexibility for employee-owned devices.

With the growing mobile workforce, enterprises are becoming increasingly concerned that employees are using their personal devices to perform business-related tasks. According to a press release, the virtual technology will essentially enable the smartphone to support both personal and business functions, but keep the two separate.

"Our partnership with VMware is part of LG’s global strategy to develop smart mobile devices for businesses," said LG vice president of global enterprise solutions Ki Kim. "Enterprise IT organizations are looking for a way to embrace the growing trend of employee-owned mobile devices at work, while still maintaining control over their corporate data."

Despite the rapidly increasing number of mobile employees in the workforce, many businesses are concerned their information isn't protected on mobile devices. According to a recent Cisco report, 57 percent of surveyed IT managers said security was the main inhibitor from expanding their mobile workforce.