Recently, VMware was positioned as a Leader in the inaugural “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Mobility Management Software for Ruggedized/IoT Device Deployments 2017 Vendor Assessment.” The report profiled 13 vendors, and VMware was recognized as a leading enterprise mobility management (EMM) solution for ruggedized and Internet of Things (IoT) device management, configuration and security.
According to the IDC MarketScape report:
“[VMware AirWatch] was among the early EMM vendors to support and highlight customer deployments of the technology for management of nontraditional mobile endpoints. VMware has had some of the most visible customer wins in terms of EMM-led IoT device management, and there is a strong road map around enterprise-focused IoT in terms of connected conference rooms, peripherals and mobile printers, and wearables.”
Rugged and EMM-managed IoT devices offer unprecedented functionality and connectivity across a variety of use cases and industries. Such devices are unique since they are corporate-owned, purpose-built to execute business-critical tasks and often handle sensitive data or interact directly with backend systems. Without a unified endpoint management (UEM) platform to manage and secure rugged and IoT devices, companies are vulnerable to security breaches and millions of dollars lost in decreased productivity and misplaced or non-functional devices.
A UEM solution like VMware Workspace ONE, powered by AirWatchn technology, provides a holistic and user-centric approach to managing all endpoints, from small pilots to large-scale deployments. Workspace ONE helps organizations across a variety of industries support both legacy and Android-based rugged solutions, peripherals and smart glasses alongside their other laptop and enterprise device deployments, from a single console.
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. The Capabilities score measures vendor product, go-to-market and business execution in the short-term. The Strategy score measures alignment of vendor strategies with customer requirements in a 3-5-year timeframe. Vendor market share is represented by the size of the icons.”
Ruggedized Deployments
For over a decade, AirWatch technology enabled organizations to securely manage devices in tough work environments, such as a warehouse, manufacturing plant, oil rig or hospital. Workspace ONE empowers IT to easily deploy, provision and secure semi- and fully ruggedized laptops, tablets, smartphones and handheld scanners. AirWatch technology supports OEM-specific Android and Windows CE operating systems, as well as Zebra (including Symbol and Motorola), Honeywell (including Intermec and LXE), Bluebird (including Pidion) and Sonim devices.
In addition, VMware recently announced support for Android enterprise on purpose-built devices. Support for Android enterprise will give IT unparalleled security features, the ability to lock down devices (in single- or multi-app mode), and silently install apps and push updates. AirWatch technology has also extended Android-specific APIs and remote management capabilities for increased control.
IoT Deployments
The core functionality of AirWatch UEM technology is directly applicable to many IoT device management scenarios, specifically for mobile printers, enterprise sleds and wearables. AirWatch enables IT to centrally deploy, closely monitor and proactively manage barcode and RFID label and receipt printers. Recently, VMware partnered with Infinite Peripherals, the leading manufacturer of iOS peripherals. Support for enterprise sleds will give organizations the ability to track and monitor their enterprise sleds.
Enterprise interest in wearable technologies—particularly smart glasses—has been growing rapidly and is expected to continue at a fast pace. Last year, AirWatch became the first unified endpoint management technology for smart glasses, enabling low-touch enrollment and configuration, simplified augmented and mixed reality app deployment, unified management and end-to-end security on both Android and Windows-based smart glasses. AirWatch works with Google, Atheer, ODG, RealWear, Inc., Upskill and VUZIX Corp to help joint customers in a variety of verticals, including manufacturing and aviation, successfully implement wearables from pilot to production. Joint customers report significant improvements in efficiency and training time.
In addition to mobile printers, enterprise sleds, and wearables, Workspace ONE also supports other IoT device types and use cases that leverage Apple, Android, Windows, Tizen and QNX operating systems. Coca-Cola, for example, uses AirWatch technology to remotely track, manage and update over 30,000 Freestyle drink dispensers. As a result, Coca-Cola has revolutionized the soft drink industry and how consumers interact with their brand.
For deployments that move beyond IoT device management with UEM to include edge systems or gateways, customers can utilize VMware Pulse IoT Center. VMware Pulse IoT Center is a secure, enterprise-grade, end-to-end infrastructure management solution that helps OT and IT manage, monitor and secure IoT from the edge to the cloud. It leverages proven technologies from both AirWatch, for device management, and VMware vRealize Operations, for infrastructure monitoring and troubleshooting, and is expected to become available in VMware’s fiscal Q4.
To access an excerpt of the “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Mobility Management Software for Ruggedized/IoT Device Deployments 2017 Vendor Assessment” (Doc # US43159917, November 2017) report, click here.
Additional Resources:
- Learn more about AirWatch rugged device management.
- Learn more about AirWatch IoT device management.
