In our last blog we discussed why you should select us for IT Services in Charlotte or Citrix Services specifically. Now we are going to get back to the value we can provide from a dollars and cents perspective and talk about a part of remote work that does not get the amount of focus it should: the end-point.
In technology they call it end-user computing, but to a user, the end-point is simply their personal or work computer. Think about how many devices you might access corporate apps and data from, a company-issued laptop, your personal tablet, your phone. Most organizations look at this sprawl as a security concern, but it is more than that. The number of end-points also makes an impact on your budget and affects employee’s flexibility and experience. These are the issues we want to address in our blog today.
When the push to remote work started, we saw plenty of organizations pushing out more corporate-issued devices. Handing out laptops, macbooks, and tablets with all of the pre-installed software and security features an end-user would need. Those devices that individually cost hundreds of dollars now probably clear more than a thousand per device with all of the software loaded onto them. What happens when that device breaks under the long list of working-from home hazards, like a spilled cup of coffee on the keyboard? Who gets stuck replacing that device? Your company more than likely. Blatant dollars and cents, and an opportunity for you to explore the value of virtual desktops and what that can mean for your organization.
Save money by reassessing End Points
Citrix has a phrase they like to use: any device, anywhere, anytime. It’s a value that we at Wincouse understand, but what does that really mean? It means you have options and alternatives to replacing that laptop after it has been damaged, and if your company is prepared enough can implement a strategy proactively to avoid those costs. Thin clients are a high-performing, cheaper alternative to traditional “fat clients,” that have really expanded capabilities when paired with desktop and application virtualization. Chromebooks are a great example of thin client devices. Chromebooks cost $99 a piece, with no pre-installed operating system except a Chrome Browser. And with Wincourse and Citrix Services, you would be able to put a full Windows 10 desktop on that Chromebook, saving hundreds of dollars instantly. And your end-users have the exact same experience, all their apps and data delivered securely. So stop refreshing end-points that cost your organization thousands of dollars. Instead, look at thin-client and virtualization alternatives.
“Any device” also means you can also let users work off their own personal devices. Some companies call this BYOD – Bring Your Own Device. This is certainly something you can pursue as well. Keep in mind that there are risk factors involved like VPN functionality and security that you need to be aware of, but BYOD initiatives give your employees a sense of flexibility and choice when it comes to where and how they work. Consulting with a partner like Wincourse will help to ensure you have the right security and mobile-device management (MDM) policies in place to manage all the devices on your network whether they are laptops, tablets, or phones.
When it comes to end-points, people always have a preference and with the right technology you can enable that choice. If your company is concerned about security and cost-savings, there are end-points and technologies to support that all the same. Wherever your company is at on your journey, don’t neglect this part of the conversation. And if you need some guidance about how to best implement some of these technologies, including Citrix Services, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Wincourse. We’d be happy to help!