Forum Discussion
Outlook for iOS/Android App Availability for Government
Any word on when Government tenants will be able to use the Outlook for iOS/Android mobile apps? I have users that are disappointed with having to continue to use the poor OWA apps and want to go to...
I do understand, I wouldn't be terribly impressed in those circumstances either.
I do think this is an example of where Office 365 change management falls down. As customers, we should be better informed, especially about something like this that takes so long to deliver. We need to be able to go back to our user base and have a timeframe at least, rather being completely open ended.
This is on the roadmap of sorts, I think, under the https://products.office.com/en-us/business/office-365-roadmap?filters=&featureid=14667 item that is still classified as rolling out.
Not speaking for Microsoft, but it could be that:
a) there were some security concerns expressed about the Outlook apps in the past.
b) Microsoft has redone the infrastructure to address the issues.
c) It takes time to check mobile apps and the underlying infrastructure against security requirements... especially when an app is updated weekly (as in the case of Outlook)
All of which might lead to an extended qualification period. Most government bodies tend to be pretty cautious about mobile devices, which is one reason why BlackBerry has persisted so long...
a) there were some security concerns expressed about the Outlook apps in the past.
b) Microsoft has redone the infrastructure to address the issues.
c) It takes time to check mobile apps and the underlying infrastructure against security requirements... especially when an app is updated weekly (as in the case of Outlook)
All of which might lead to an extended qualification period. Most government bodies tend to be pretty cautious about mobile devices, which is one reason why BlackBerry has persisted so long...