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Five Reasons End-User Computing Is On The Edge Of Disruption

Forbes Technology Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Jed Ayres

End-user computing (EUC) is poised for massive transformation. In fact, it’s been reported that there will be over 50 billion connected devices by 2020. That’s an immense number of edge devices that must be managed, secured and optimized to deliver the productive, high-performing experience today’s users demand.

But let’s face it, EUC requirements for today’s enterprises are typically complex and costly. Droves of mobile and remote workers can make it a monumental IT task to upgrade and manage endpoints. Add to that growing security threats, constant operating system (OS) migration demands and increasing cost pressures, and EUC might be IT’s greatest challenge.

That also means that EUC is ripe for innovation. With new developments that can simplify backend control for tens of thousands of devices in a single console while extending the life of costly laptops and desktop systems and ensuring consistent updates and security controls, IT may soon be able to jump off the EUC management treadmill and consider the endpoint as just another part of the digital transformation value chain.

What’s driving this disruption in EUC? Consider the following five transformative drivers:

1. Pervasive Workforce Mobility

Today’s worker works from anywhere, on multiple devices. In fact, a recent Gallup poll reported that 43% of employed Americans said they spent at least some time working remotely. These workers are also using multiple devices. The average employee uses 2.3 devices to complete work, while 14% of workers use six devices or more.

What isn’t often considered is how this workforce mobility movement impacts the complexity of endpoint management. By streamlining device management and operations, using a unified management solution that is device and hardware agnostic, IT can apply granular policy control to simplify device support and lower management costs. They can also improve the overall user experience.

Consider, for example, how Samsung DeX can give users a full-screen experience for the apps on their phones. (Full disclosure: IGEL has technology partnerships with Samsung, Intel, Microsoft and Imprivata.) Other strides in unified management are being made by Microsoft Intune and others as more and more vendors look to give users the access they need to data and applications on the device they chose without burdening IT staff.

2. The Constant State Of Migration

It’s a fact most IT departments don’t want to think about: The end-of-support date for Windows 7 is drawing nearer every day. Migrating to Windows 10 is a painful inevitability. And once you’ve migrated to Windows 10, there’s certain to be another major migration in your future.

OS migrations can be madness for IT and users alike. With Windows 10, the update cadence will increase to as often as every six months, only adding to the chaos. You may truly be in a constant state of OS migration. Endpoints shouldn’t have to perform major migrations every six months. Instead, the endpoint OS should update seamlessly, over the air, without major help desk involvement and without disrupting the user experience. It should then connect to whatever virtual environment is needed to remain productive on any device a user wants to use. The result is a familiar, productive experience that delivers the access users want without massive device migration projects.

3. High Cost Of A Hardware Refresh

The cost of a laptop or PC refresh can be staggering, especially if you have a large estate of endpoints. Intel has even seen organizations slow their PC upgrade cycle from every four years to now every six due to cost and inadequate performance capabilities of older processors to run modern applications. Further disrupting the status quo of regular EUC hardware refreshes is a new wave of software-based thin client technology. Any x86 device can be repurposed and transformed into an easy-to-manage endpoint, extending the life of existing assets and eliminating the cost of investing in new hardware. We at IGEL provide this capability. Using a simple USB key, users can convert any x86 device to a new OS or even fully replace an aging and less secure OS with a Linux-based OS that can connect easily to VDI solutions while enabling server-based computing and remote administration.

4. Endpoint Security Vulnerabilities

The risk of cybersecurity threats is exacerbated at the endpoint -- especially when endpoint devices are roaming outside of corporate-controlled networks and lack stringent policy controls or the regular application of patches and updates. To overcome these risks, users need to rely on endpoint devices that use an OS with embedded security -- one that is resistant to viruses and malware and enables automatic support for safety measures including two-factor authentication, smart card readers and more. An example of this would be in hospitals that use Imprivata technology to deliver tap-and-go authentication, combined with a password or biometrics authentication.

Windows and Android devices can be higher risk than those that use Linux with a read-only file system that can ensure that every boot-up is safe. EUC will be secure only when we employ devices that have this built-in security that protects users, regardless of where they’re working.

5. EUC Management Constraints

Managing a large estate of endpoints is traditionally costly and time-consuming. Some organizations have extensive teams for this sole purpose. But not every organization wants to invest in such an extensive staff for EUC operations. This high cost of endpoint management is driving massive disruption in how EUC is architected.

New paradigms, including desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) and the cloud workspace, are emerging to empower users while freeing endpoint management teams. One widely promoted example is how Johnson & Johnson is planning to deliver 25,000 Amazon Workspaces for its consultants and employees to use around the world. These cloud-based desktops deliver desktop applications with greater management efficiency, security and policy control.

Features including remote support, zero-touch deployment and easy central management are already a reality. Solutions can even now enable detailed visibility on user experience and application performance, all the way down to the hardware layer. Disruption is already upon the EUC market with innovations that will make endpoint computing more productive, cost-effective and secure. Users will demand it as devices at the edge continue to grow exponentially.

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