Hewlett-Packard this week introduced a new cloud-based mobile device management system and is seeking telecom companies willing to offer the tool as a managed service to midsized buisnesses.

The the unfortunately named service – HP Cloud Services Enablement for Device Management as a Service (HP CSE for DMaaS) – is based on mobile device management software from Mformation Technologies Inc. It allows IT staff to manage mobile devices and PCs through a secure, customizable web portal, according to HP. Using over-the-air technology they can configure devices, distribute applications, diagnose problems, enforce security policies and protect data with full back-up and restore capability.  

Exactly how and at what cost the service will be offered to businesses remains to be seen. But assuming such on-demand services scale efficiently, they could make the growing the movement toward IT consumerization considerably more manageable for IT deparments. As more companies test allowing employees to use consumer devices like Apple's iPhone/iPad and Android-based smartphones and tablets, services like HP's may help mitigate the risks; most notably security, productivity, legal and compliance issues, as well as potentially increased and complexity.

And such managed services may make it much easier for businesses to test the waters before diving in.