How to Manage Application Authorization
For Android devices managed within the enterprise, it is important to know and control what applications are installed for reasons of security and productivity. Asset Vision provides the ability to specify whether or not applications are allowed to be installed. By specifying which applications are Authorized (whitelisted) or Unauthorized (blacklisted), administrators can control exactly the applications available for installation from the Google Play Store in Asset Vision. Unapproved applications that are already installed on devices will be removed automatically depending on defined policies.
Determining Authorized or Unauthorized Software
The Google Play Catalog in Asset Vision displays all applications that have been added from the Commercial App Store. For each of these applications, the Approval Status can be determined by viewing the Unauthorized field.
- Applications that have a Green Checkbox for the Unauthorized field are specifically Approved applications.
- Applications that have a Red "Not Sign" for the Unauthorized field and are grayed out are specifically Unapproved applications.
- Applications that have a blank Unauthorized field are Approved by default.
Assigning Approval Status
Regardless of the current Approval Status, items can be assigned or reassigned a new Approval Status by specifying them as whitelisted or blacklisted.
To assign or change the Approval Status:
- Right-click on any app, and select Approval Status.
- -OR-
- Select one or more apps by marking the checkboxes.
- Click the Approval Status button.
Once either of these are performed, a dialog appears:
From here:
- Select Blacklisted or Whitelisted
- Enter any optional Notes pertaining to the reason for the Approval Status
- Click Save if finished, or Cancel to return to the selection screen
As above, the Approval Status of the application will be reflected immediately in the Google Play Catalog data view. Blacklisted Applications will not be available to directly install to client devices nor be available to be added to policies.