Google LLC is further expanding the scope of its Android Enterprise Recommended program. Today it’s opening it up to managed service providers and companies with their own MSP business units that serve to provision, manage, and support multiple devices for their employees.

The Android Enterprise Recommended program, opened to smartphone makers last year, details common specifications for devices and services that Google says are essential for business users. Those devices and services are backed by a testing process carried out by Google.

Handset makers, including Sony Corp., Huawei Technologies Ltd., LG Electronics Inc. and BlackBerry Ltd., have participated in the program.

Google said the basic idea is to help organizations choose suitable devices for their employees to use. Organizations that chose a qualified device will be safe in the knowledge that they’ll receive timely security updates and at least one major operating system upgrade and be compatible with zero-touch enrollment.

In January, Google extended the program to include enterprise mobility management providers that sell software to allow organizations to enable secure employee use of mobile devices and applications.

This time around, its managed service providers that get a foot in the door. MSPs, as they’re called, are companies that remotely manage an organization’s information technology infrastructure and end-user systems, typically on a proactive basis and under a subscription model. Google said it’s extending the Android Enterprise Recommended program to these providers to ensure they’re up-to-date with all of the latest best practices and ready to help customers expand their mobile deployments.

Validated MSPs at the time of launch include Accenture Plc., Brodos Group and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., among others. More partners will be added in future, Google said.

Qualified MSPs should all have dedicated personnel trained by Google on how to implement and support Android; experience with Android Enterprise Recommended Enterprise Mobility Management systems; and an assigned Google account manager and access to a 24/7 Google partner escalation desk, Vincent Ricci, Google’s global head of Android enterprise business eevelopment for service providers, said in a blog post.

“Since Android Enterprise Recommended launched, we have received great feedback from customers who are increasingly aware of the program and are putting it to use,” Ricci said.

Image: Google