iPass extends capabilities to mobile corporate Mac users

iPass, a provider of carrier-grade remote access services, has launched iPassConnect 1.8 for Mac OS, a Mac-compatible version of the company’s iPassConnect client software.

iPassConnect Mac features a Mac-native GUI (graphical user interface) that lets mobile users remotely access their corporate network, e-mail and key applications as if they were making a local phone call, from virtually anywhere in the world, according to Michael Mansouri, iPass chairman and CEO.

“iPass greatly simplifies the deployment process by consolidating corporate Mac and Windows users under one interface for global Internet access,” he said in a statement.

iPassConnect Mac delivers access to over 14,000 unique points of presence (POPs) in 150 countries, with redundant coverage in key business centers worldwide. The flexibility of the software enables seamless remote access across multiple network types including dialup, ISDN and PHS. iPassConnect Mac is also compatible with the Cisco VPN client software, ensuring remote users have a simple, secure connection to corporate resources, Mansouri said.

Built within the iPassConnect Mac client is a software module called Service Quality Management (SQM). It proactively collects information about each user login experience. Every time a user dials into the iPass network, SQM data is downloaded from the user’s laptop to an iPass database, which generates detailed Internet connection statistics. The SQM data allows a corporation’s help desk personnel to quickly troubleshoot connection issues, analyze trends and proactively identify potential training needs, Mansouri said.

He added that the new iPassConnect Mac software also includes a variety of unique and easily customizable features that enable IT personnel to tailor the end-user’s experience and enforce corporate security policies, including:

Automatic Phonebook Updates, that allow end-users to stay current as iPass extends its global remote access network;

Custom Phonebook, with which corporations can incorporate their existing RAS numbers;

VPN Integration, which allows IT managers to specify the automatic launch of a VPN client once a connection is established;

Intelligent Dialing, a set of international dial rules and supports mandatory area code dialing where required;

Post-Connect Options that lets end-users to specify applications (such as an e-mail client or Web browser) to be launched once the Internet connection is established;

Pre-configured domain information, which simplifies the login experience for users.