12 (FREE!) apps to turn Windows Phone 8 into an IT tool

Test network devices, track trouble tickets, remote control PCs, deploy phone apps, more
IT pros who carry a Windows Phone already know it can be used to access content stored in their SkyDrive cloud accounts. But the handset can become a key part of their everyday toolbox with the addition of some apps that are available for download from the Windows Phone Store. They can meet the needs of network admins, help desk staff, developers and more as they move about during the workday. And the best thing about this sampling is they’re all available for free.

Network Utilities
This handy tool performs ping, traceroute and TCP port checks, and can check WHOIS and DNS records. It also contains network calculators for subnets, CIDR and Wildcard and supports IP address geolocation.

AzureAppSpy
Businesses using Microsoft’s Azure cloud storage services will want someone on staff with this app. It tracks the progress of the deployment of Azure cloud services and keeps an eye on how well cloud applications are performing. When traffic spikes, it can recommend when to add extra instances so performance remains high. It also enables Windows Azure Diagnostics (WAD), which displays daily charts of performance counters, flags errors in event logs and creates lists of active deployments. AzureAppSpy communicates with WAD infrastructure over HTTPS and doesn’t require Azure Management portal certificate sharing.

Zendesk
This support-agent software enables real-time access to existing Zendesk accounts through Windows Phones, making it possible to track user requests for help. This includes searching and viewing trouble tickets and comments as well as providing tools to send pre-written responses to frequently asked questions. Live-tile views of tickets can be pinned to the phone’s start screen for easy reference.

Linux Cheatsheet
This app is designed to help admins find the proper syntax for Linux commands that they recall but aren’t sure about the syntax. The app also includes an explanation of commands that users might not be familiar with.

Code Search
Developers who need to access source code while away from their primary computer can use Code Search to reach it instead. The app enables searching for a particular file and then search for the relevant code within it as granularly as finding a particular line of code. Navigation tools include syntax highlighting, string searching and seeking a line number. Code Search requires an agent on the PC used for developing.

ConString
When IT pros need connection strings, ConString can provide them for SQL Server, Access, Oracle, DB2, Firebird, SQLite and MySQL. It’s pretty straightforward.

CIDR Calculator
Commonly used classless inter-domain routing (CIDR) helps ease the load on routers required to maintain routing tables for large numbers of networks. CIDR Calculator enables CIDR network calculations using IP address, subnet mask, mask bits, maximum required IP addresses and maximum required subnets.

TeamViewer
TeamViewer allows users to remotely control Mac, Windows and Linux machines from Windows phones. The app includes a contacts list to show whether the computers are online. It employs AES 256-bit session encryption as well as 1024-bit RSA key encryption.

RSA SecurID
Make your Windows Phone device a convenient, cost-effective RSA SecurID authenticator. RSA SecurID two-factor authentication is based on something you have (an authenticator) and something you know (a PIN) — providing a much more reliable level of user authentication than reusable, easy-to-guess passwords. This app, when provided with a software token, generates one-time passwords for accessing network resources.

Speedtest.net
Speedtest.net performs connection testing to find Internet download and upload speeds from anywhere in the world using Ookla’s worldwide network. Results return in under 30 seconds, and the app produces graphs to show consistency of connections. It can be used as a tool to verify SLA compliance.

PC Remote
PC Remote allows remote control of machines running TeamViewer Server. From within the app users can conduct YouTube searches, control Windows Media Center, view and play songs on Zune and remotely control PowerPoint.

AirWatch MDM Agent
This device management solution enables securing, monitoring, managing and supporting smartphones used by corporate employees. N.B.: The agent works only in conjunction with the AirWatch console.

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