VMware AirWatch

VMware AirWatch
Name	VMware AirWatch
Developer	VMware
Released	2009
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (operating system), iOS
Platform	Cloud computing, on-premises
Genre	Enterprise mobility management
License	Proprietary

VMware AirWatch

VMware AirWatch is an enterprise mobility management (EMM) platform designed to manage smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, and other endpoint devices across organizations. Originally developed to provide mobile device management, application management, and content distribution, it integrates with cloud computing services and traditional on-premises infrastructure to support large-scale deployments across multinational firms, government agencies, and educational institutions. AirWatch is positioned within VMware's suite of digital workspace products and competes with other device-management vendors in the enterprise software market.

Overview

AirWatch provides centralized administration for device enrollment, policy enforcement, application distribution, and remote support. The platform supports multiple operating systems including Android (operating system), iOS, Windows 10, macOS, and specialized platforms such as Chrome OS and Windows Phone. Enterprises use AirWatch to enforce corporate policies, provision corporate and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) endpoints, and manage application lifecycles from internal and public app stores. The platform typically integrates with identity providers like Active Directory, Okta, and Azure Active Directory and complements virtual desktop offerings such as VMware Horizon.

History and Development

AirWatch traces its origins to a startup focused on mobile device management founded in 2003 and gained significant traction in the late 2000s as smartphone adoption accelerated following the release of the iPhone and Android (operating system). The company expanded through product development and acquisitions into application management and content management, attracting enterprise customers in finance, healthcare, and retail. In 2014, AirWatch was acquired by VMware and subsequently integrated into VMware’s portfolio alongside vSphere, vCenter, and NSX. After the acquisition, AirWatch influenced VMware’s strategy for the digital workspace alongside initiatives involving Workspace ONE and partnerships with cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Features and Architecture

Key features include device enrollment, profile and policy management, mobile application management (MAM), mobile content management (MCM), remote wipe, and location-based services. The architecture typically comprises management servers, database backends like Microsoft SQL Server or PostgreSQL, and communication components that use protocols such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol variants for device connectivity. AirWatch supports application wrapping and tunneling to secure corporate apps, and integrates with VPN solutions and identity federation services including SAML 2.0 providers. For content distribution, it interfaces with enterprise file-sync platforms like Box, Dropbox Business, and SharePoint. Analytics and reporting capabilities are available through dashboards and integrations with business intelligence tools such as Tableau and Splunk.

Deployment and Integration

AirWatch can be deployed as a cloud-hosted service, hybrid model, or fully on-premises installation to meet regulatory or latency requirements. Integration points include directory services like Active Directory, certificate authorities such as DigiCert and Entrust, email systems like Microsoft Exchange and Google Workspace, and mobile application distribution channels including the Apple App Store and Google Play enterprise publishing. Integration with endpoint security and unified endpoint management ecosystems extends interoperability with vendors like Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Cisco solutions. For enterprise workflows, AirWatch supports APIs and SDKs enabling connections with service management platforms such as ServiceNow and identity governance tools like SailPoint.

Security and Compliance

AirWatch implements security controls including device encryption enforcement, containerization of corporate data, conditional access policies, and remote lock/wipe capabilities. It supports compliance frameworks and certifications relevant to regulated sectors, enabling adherence to standards such as HIPAA for healthcare, PCI DSS for payment card processing environments, and data residency controls required by national regulators like those in the European Union. The platform uses certificate-based authentication, multi-factor authentication integrations including RSA SecurID and Duo Security, and logging integrations to meet audit requirements and incident response practices used by enterprises and public sector organizations.

Licensing and Pricing

Licensing for AirWatch is proprietary and typically issued under subscription models based on per-device or per-user pricing tiers, with differentiated plans for basic device management, advanced management including application and content controls, and premium bundles that include support and analytics. VMware offers enterprise agreements and volume licensing for multinational corporations and custom pricing arrangements for government contracts and large deployments. Pricing considerations often factor in deployment model (cloud vs. on-premises), support levels, and optional modules such as advanced identity management or application security features.

Reception and Market Positioning

AirWatch has been recognized as a leading EMM solution in analyst reports and industry comparisons, competing with vendors such as Microsoft, IBM, Citrix Systems, MobileIron, and BlackBerry Limited. Customers in finance, healthcare, retail, and education have cited AirWatch for scalability, cross-platform support, and integration with virtualization stacks like VMware Horizon. Criticisms typically focus on licensing complexity and the learning curve for large enterprises integrating multiple VMware products. Despite competition and consolidation in the endpoint management market, AirWatch remains a prominent offering within VMware’s digital workspace strategy and is frequently cited in procurement evaluations for enterprise mobility initiatives.

Category:Enterprise mobility management