It is time for a new era of cloud-connected devices to emerge.
We have been promised a Virtual Desktop for over a decade now, and while we certainly have desktops and applications that have been delivered via the cloud (on-premise and public cloud), we have always had to compromise on either performance or security and management.
Here are my key reasons why I think this time will be different with IGEL and how hardware collaboration through software can solve many of the challenges around end-user computing:
- ECONOMICS:
- Desktops as a Service (DaaS) has removed a significant barrier to entry for organizations. Not having to set up expensive infrastructure for your own data center has significantly increased the number of companies looking into offering this as an option.
- HYBRID WORKING:
- The requirement for a consistent experience, regardless of if you are in the office or not, is important. It simplifies management and support. Especially if employees are not in the office as often, this means they have less physical access to IT support, requiring a longer mean time to resolution (MTTR).
- Managing, securing, and Patching devices spread out across the world is extremely complicated and time-consuming. As hybrid working is becoming the norm, more organizations need a way to standardize and simplify the approach. Without compromising on user experience.
- APPLICATION SPRAWL:
- PROBLEM: Server-based computing and VDI tended to focus on task-based employees. These employees typically have a handful of applications based on their role within the organization, which would be delivered or published to them. However, with the increase in employees comes an increase in application types and use cases. An example of this is unified communications like Teams and Zoom. As most applications are written for desktops, where they don’t have to share resources, putting them in an environment where resources are shared or charged based on consumption can significantly impact cost or experience.
- SOLUTION: As IGEL was created for the Cloud, we can utilize resource elasticity through hardware collaboration. Meaning we can use the abundant resource located on the physical endpoint where appropriate to improve efficiency and cost. We also have a growing set of ecosystem partners that have developed protocols to improve efficiencies further.
Using IGEL as part of your virtualization strategy lets you realize the advantages of centrally managing desktops while not compromising on the user experience by seamlessly sharing the burden of processing across the physical devices and the cloud.
So why compromise?
CLIFF NOTES:
- Resources and Processing: Local on device
- Applications: Local on device
- Data: Local on device
- User experience: is high as everything is fast and wonderful.
- IT experience: is low as it is really difficult to manage and keep secure, especially remotely.
- Target user: Knowledge-Based Worker
- Cost: $$$
- Life Cycle: 3 Years
OVERVIEW:
Glorious and world-changing! The PC can come in many forms, from a clamshell laptop to a desktop PC. The Operating System usually comes in the form of Mac OS or Windows.
The experience is typically higher so long as the resources can cater to the user's application use. The benefits are you can use this on the road and the plane, even without internet connectivity.
Security is significantly lower, as data can be stored locally, which means data integrity can be compromised. Also, the Windows Operating System can be prone to attack as bad actors can target individuals with Ransomware and Malware.
Management is also challenging if users are working remotely; users will typically have to log into the corporate network via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to receive any updates or security patches. (Patches are required to plug any security loopholes found in software.)
The personal computer will always be a factor within an organization; some users and applications can not use anything else.
CLIFF NOTES:
- Resources and Processing: Centrally in the data center
- Applications: Central in the data center (cloud)
- Data: Central in the data center (cloud)
- User experience: Low, but expectations are typically low.
- IT experience: is higher, as it is easier to manage pools* of desktops centrally than thousands of desktops remotely
- Target user: Task-Based Worker
- Cost: $
- Life Cycle: 5+ Years
OVERVIEW:
In an attempt to simplify management and security, IT centrally controls the resources, applications, Data, and Operating System.
This was implemented for task-based office workers where the mission-critical applications would be published down to the end users’ devices through Citrix, Vmware, or Microsoft RDP.
As Resources were shared, it often meant that users or applications that ‘hogged’ resources could impact the user experience and productivity of the group.
VDI, or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, was implemented to limit the impact a single user or application could have on a wider group. This was done by putting software on a server (called a Hypervisor) that could slice the available resources up, so each user had their dedicated resource to consume, hence a Virtual Desktop.
*Management was much simpler, especially if you could Pool use cases and have a series of Golden Images. (An image for Marketing users, an Image for the Call Center users, etc.) that way, you only needed to update and support a handful of images versus thousands.
However, the thin client used to connect to the virtual desktops or published applications still needed an operating system to allow it to ‘operate.’ This operating system couldn't be Windows as it was too large and would bring the same challenges IT had with it on the Fat Client. So, often the hardware manufacturer would create a Linux-based OS to help the device connect to the data center. Here lies the unforeseen complexity of managing devices within the umbrella of Server Based Computing.
CLIFF NOTES:
- Resources and Processing: Locally and Centrally
- Applications: Central in the data center (cloud)
- Data: Central in the data center (cloud)
- User experience: User experience is high as everything is fast and wonderful
- IT experience: This is high as they can centrally manage the Applications and Desktops centrally and support them.
- Target user: BOTH Knowledge-Based Workers & Task-Based Workers
- Cost: $$$
- Life Cycle: 5+ Years
OVERVIEW:
The Fit Client is the best of both worlds, a device that has resources locally and can be utilized when required, combined with an operating system purposely built to access applications and data from the cloud.
IGEL has a cloud gateway that allows IT to manage devices anywhere in the world without needing a VPN (Virtual Private Network). And our ecosystem of partners in the IGEL Ready program allows us to seamlessly update when needed.
In regards to the meantime to resolution, organizations can utilize omnichannel support (such as chatbots) to dramatically reduce the time and cost to resolution. As IGELs base configuration is standardized, a simple restart can return to an operational baseline, so users are productive again.
Our IGEL Ready ecosystem of partners also allows us to jointly develop virtual channels or drivers dedicated to providing efficiencies to deliver a better, more robust user experience.
As IGEL was built for the internet, security is a foundational element in our product. We have a read-only OS, so even if a user clicks on a malicious link, it won't be able to install any executables that may compromise the endpoint.
Also, because IGEL is a lightweight, purpose-built OS, we regularly see energy consumption savings between 22% and, in some cases, 59% depending on workloads and model. This does two things, it extends battery life, but more importantly, it helps the environment.(taken from a study by PX3)
STEP 1:
- Offload the heavy processing requirements from unified communications to the cloud client (endpoint).
Results:
- Better Experience
- Lower cloud costs due to reduce resource consumption
- Higher Productivity through a better collaborative experience
STEP 2:
- Reduce network traffic by redirecting Audio and Video to the intended audience (peer-to-peer). This reduces hair pinning back up to the cloud.
Results:
- Better Experience
- Lower cloud costs due to reduce resource consumption
- Less disruption and greater stability
- Higher Productivity through a better collaborative experience
OBJECTION:
I want to use sub $300 thin client:
YOU:
- Great, let’s test whether the device in question can handle the proposed use cases. Are you looking for any users to utilize Teams or Zoom?
- You might need a blended solution based on use cases; the good news is you can standardize the management of these devices through our management platform regardless of form factor.
- What is it about the thin client, in particular, you are looking for?
CUSTOMER:
- They last longer:
- YOUR REPLY: Yes, they do; however, in most cases, hardware needs to be updated due to software and OS requirements. Using a more premium device as a Fit Client can solve that problem and extend the life of the device.
- FOLLOW-UP: Also, requirements have changed dramatically over the last few years, is there a chance that these devices might be needed to cater to a wider set of applications down the line?
- Budget Reasons:
- YOUR REPLY: Have you looked at the total cost of ownership? Often a big portion of a desktop's cost is software, Windows, Security Software, VPNs for remote management, and Patch management, not to mention the cost of supporting users in the field. This can all add up very quickly. Using our Fit Client solution, we can remove that cost AND provide a better, more productive experience for the user.
- Thin Clients use less power; we are an environmentally conscious organization.
- YOUR REPLY: IGEL is a lightweight, purpose-built OS; an independent study showed energy consumption savings between 22% and 59% depending on workloads and model. This does two things, it extends battery life, but more importantly, it helps the environment.
