POWERGRAMS

6 Simple is good. Simplifying life for employees is the idea that launched AirWatch, a new enterprise mobility management program that makes it easier to securely access Alabama Power's computer system and data from an employee cellphone or tablet. AirWatch offers numerous benefits, while protecting company data. Advantages include the ability to browse internal websites, view co-workers' contact information and calendars, and access a company app catalog, all from a personal or company phone, or tablet. Employees like how AirWatch will simplify their life, said Information Technology End- user Technology Analyst Kyle Horn. Employees who get company email on their phones or other devices must enroll in AirWatch by Feb. 28, 2015. AirWatch benefits include simple setup for new and replacement devices, ease of password management and future access to the H and S drives and SharePoint. Horn said employees no longer have to sync computer passwords to their phone or tablet: This occurs automatically as employees change passwords on a company desktop, because AirWatch synchronizes the password on all their mobile devices. Horn is among many IT analysts who are educating employees about enterprise mobility management. At a Generation- Engineering staff meeting in Birmingham, Horn discussed the benefits the program offers employees and Alabama Power. Other IT analysts hosted a four-hour sign-up event in the Corporate Headquarters atrium, assisting in enrollment through Cool Compliance. "Employees are really happy they'll never again have to update a mobile device password on their phone," said IT Analyst Bob Seiberling. AirWatch users can access a catalog of apps provided through Southern Company, and SharePoint sites will be available to them in February 2015. In the future, employees won't need an RSA soft token to sign onto the company network from a mobile device. AirWatch offers employees the security of knowing they never have to worry about their company data if a phone or tablet is stolen or lost. In 2014, about 25 percent of industry cyber incidents were related to data loss. AirWatch allows employees to remotely manage their devices through a portal – mydevice.southernco.com – in which they can sync the device, clear the passcode or wipe the memory clean. Those features provide a huge boost to the company's data security. "When you consider growth of data at 35 percent annually, the need for working on the go, the rapid influx and exit of devices annually, and our responsibility to protect the company's information – all of this drives the need for an enterprise-mobility- management approach that is simple and secure," said Vice President and Chief Information Officer David Cox. Cox said IT's focus is on providing a simple, seamless and easy solution. AirWatch allows employees to connect to their email, access their software systems and connect to their data. "We want our employees to be able to change devices without headaches," he said. "We also want to protect company data, while ensuring we don't impact employees' personal data if their device is stolen or lost." Cox said IT analysts are meeting with employees about AirWatch across the state, sharing the benefits and assisting in enrollment. By Donna Cope AirWatch simplifies life, protects phone, tablet data TECHNOLOGY Employees should enroll in program by Feb. 28, 2015. Photo by Billy Brown About 30 percent of employees have enrolled.

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