Recent updates to the WatchDox mobile apps let you securely edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on your Android and iOS devices. The apps work well, according to CIO.com blogger James A. Martin, but they're not the only options for secure mobile editing. It’s not difficult to download Microsoft Office documents to your Android or iOS mobile device for editing. One option is to keep files in your Dropbox, access them using the Dropbox app, and then edit in Office-compatible apps. But some cloud-syncing/sharing services, especially those aimed at consumers, raise security concerns. And if you work in a heavily regulated industry, poor document security is something you can’t afford. To that end, WatchDox recently released a new feature for its mobile Android and iOS apps, Mobile Editor, that aims to bring top-notch security to mobile editing. WatchDox is an enterprise-level document sharing/collaboration platform that costs $15 a month per user (for the standard version) or more (for the enterprise version). Mobile Editor, as the name suggests, lets you edit files uploaded to your WatchDox workspace (using WatchDox on your computer) or shared by another WatchDox user. In my tests, editing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files was easy to do within WatchDox’s Mobile Editor. You can add yellow highlights to documents; use a drawing tool; and add comments. An eraser tool lets you easily remove highlights and drawings. Edited files are automatically synced to your WatchDox workspace when you save them. You can’t currently create new Office files using the WatchDox app, however. (Image: WatchDox) You can also share WatchDox files with collaborators without paying for a premium WatchDox account, so they can edit or comment on documents at no charge. (The WatchDox app is free.) This is probably one of the most important features of Mobile Editor, because it allows you to work with outside collaborators within a secure environment. Speaking of security, WatchDox works with password-based, multi-factor, or single sign-on authentication schemes, which can be integrated with WatchDox via the OAuth 2.0 protocol. “Every authentication event is monitored and logged,” according to WatchDox. For more about WatchDox document security, download the company’s February 2013 white paper. WatchDox says it has the “most comprehensive offering out there” for managing and editing Office files securely on mobile devices, without requiring an additional fee for that feature. But it isn’t the only offering that enables secure document editing on mobile devices. Another option is ShareFile, a free app from Citrix that enables document editing on iOS devices. ShareFile can ensure that enterprise authentication and data retention policies are adhered to, according to a 2013 Citrix blog post. WatchDox looks like a good choice for companies that need to maintain control over documents while still enabling easy mobile collaboration. The company offers a free trial of WatchDox Standard, too. Related content brandpost Sponsored by FPT Software Time for New Partnership Paradigms to Be Future-fit By Veronica Lew Dec 06, 2023 5 mins Vendors and Providers brandpost Sponsored by BMC Why CIOs should prioritize AIOps in 2024 AIOps empowers IT to manage services by incorporating AI/ML into operations. By Jeff Miller Dec 06, 2023 3 mins IT Leadership opinion Generative AI in enterprises: LLM orchestration holds the key to success In the dynamic landscape of AI, LLMs represent a pivotal breakthrough. Unlike traditional AI, which demands frequent data updates, LLMs possess the ability to learn and adapt in real-time. This mirrors human learning and positions LLMs as essential f By Shail Khiyara Dec 06, 2023 10 mins Generative AI Artificial Intelligence brandpost Sponsored by Freshworks How gen AI is joining the holiday shopping season One year after the launch of ChatGPT, the retail industry is embracing generative AI to deliver a variety of benefits By Elliot Markowitz Dec 06, 2023 4 mins Generative AI Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe