Earlier this week, Google unveiled changes to their mobile device management tools for Google Apps administrators. For no extra charge, organizations of all sizes can now manage Android, iOS and Windows Mobile devices directly from the Google Apps control panel, allowing administrators to manage Apps users in a more comprehensive way. Google has offered device management and sync capabilities since 2010.

With more and more employees using personal mobile devices in the workplace, the importance of keeping data secure is as imperative as ever. Organizations will now be able to define password requirements, roaming sync preferences and other policies, as well as revoke Google Apps access to individual devices if necessary. The improvements also include trends and analytics for admins to monitor mobile productivity.

Dave Girouard, Vice President of product management at Google, made the announcement during Monday’s Atmosphere 2011 event. Girouard noted that “It’s increasingly difficult for any employer to tell any employee what devices to use,” claiming that employees prefer working for companies that support their right to choose their own mobile device.

Google has also updated the Google Apps Device Policy app for Android. The new version will help users understand the information that is available to administrators and to provide support for Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.