Verizon, Motorola and BoxTone, an enterprise software provider, are working together on an Android-based mobile solution designed for the healthcare industry. The jointly created offering will run BoxTone’s management software on selected Motorola devices over the Verizon Wireless LTE network. The devices include the Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx smartphones as well as Droid Xyboard 10.1 and 8.2 tablets.  Rival Apple has established a strong position in the US mobile health market where its iPad has been particularly popular and this move represents an attempt to win back some ground for Android.

The partners say the new solution will address security, reliability and usability requirements of the healthcare industry. They put a particular emphasis on how the solution is strong on mobile security and privacy concerns because it is deploying a new layer of data protection with automated mobile device and application management. They say healthcare organisations can now deploy Android-based devices and apps designed to meet compliance requirements such as privacy measures in the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The solution is being demonstrated at the HIMSS 2012 trade show (February 20-24).