I’ve been talking for the past month, leading up to VMworld 2017, about how VMware Workspace ONE powered by VMware AirWatch is leading the PC lifecycle management (PCLM) revolution with a modern, real-time, over-the-air approach. And then at VMworld, we announced even more unique Windows 10 PCLM features.
Plus, we announced market-leading Mac management capabilities, taking advantage of the new macOS High Sierra release, and that, in partnership with Google, VMware is the first UEM vendor to manage Chrome OS devices. Finally, we showed off a breadth of purpose-built device management support for rugged devices, wearables and smart glasses and enterprise sleds.
That’s why today, we are so proud to announce VMware is recognized as a Leader in the inaugural IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Unified Endpoint Management Software 2017 Vendor Assessment (doc # US42993417, September 2017).
SOURCE: “IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Unified Endpoint Management Software 2017 Vendor Assessment,” doc # US42993417, September 2017.
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 circles. Vendor year-over-year growth rate relative to the given market is indicated by a plus, neutral or minus next to the vendor name.
The Revolution Arrives for the Leader in Unified Endpoint Management
UEM for UEM’s sake is not the best course for customers. IT needs to carefully evaluate the management capabilities needed for each endpoint platform and to make sure each is supported by their UEM vendor.
A single management console may drive efficiencies when compared to siloed, disparate management consoles for different computing platforms, but it still falls short if it cannot support the policies, controls and processes organizations adopt on key platforms.
Windows 10
For example, Windows is a critical platform for most organizations, one for which existing configurations, polices and processes have been in place for some time. VMware made big investments to ensure customers can bring these legacy standards forward to recognize new over-the-air, real-time mobile management efficiencies without compromising current capabilities.
As the IDC MarketScape notes, AirWatch provides “legacy Windows PC configuration and application management (i.e., Win32 app distribution and GPO policy enforcement),” so customers can migrate 100% of Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to AirWatch policies and move System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) managed applications to AirWatch. VMware facilitates an easy migration to UEM by bringing current policies and application packages.
Another example is Win32 software distribution. These applications are still critical to most organizations, but the typical, large, multi-gigabyte file sizes require UEM solutions for more efficient methods of moving these files (potentially over slower internet connections).
As the IDC MarketScape study notes:
“VMware has also provided innovative management tools and services to help transition customers from PCLM to UEM management, such as leveraging content delivery network (CDN) services for more efficient over-the-air/off-network delivery of Windows software packages and applications. VMware also recently announced peer-to-peer (P2P) distribution of Windows software and packages among PCs attached via the same internal LAN to conserve WAN bandwidth and speed up software distribution, including legacy file types such as.EXE,.MSI,.MSP, and.ZIP.”
macOS
The IDC MarketScape study also highlights VMware macOS management, stating:
“AirWatch also supports macOS management features such as Mac app delivery, pre-deployment/staging system configuration, and support for macOS via Apple’s Device Enrollment Program (DEP).”
With the new macOS release of High Sierra, device enrollment now leverages the Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP), made popular with iOS devices. DEP essentially replaces legacy imaging solutions for onboarding new Macs. VMware enables customized configurations and software packages during the DEP enrollment process with new bootstrap packages.
Chrome OS
Lastly, the IDC MarketScape study called out VMware’s unique Chrome OS device support, stating:
“VMware is the first UEM vendor to support Chromebook and Chrome OS devices at the API level with Google’s Chrome Device Manager (CDM) service. Other third-party EMM/UEM platforms manage Chrome devices at the browser and browser extension level but are not integrated at the API level with CDM.”
This is what the Workspace ONE app catalog looks like on a Chromebook.
Rugged Devices
Beyond this IDC MarketScape study, VMware provides similar lifecycle management support for rugged devices:
- Automate device enrollment through barcode scanning, cradle, SD card and OTA activation.
- Install profiles (Wi-Fi, VPN, email), applications, files and actions.
- Protect corporate data with device controls and policies.
- Access real-time device information, including support session history, system diagnostics, network info, installed apps, profiles and more.
- Remotely connect to any device in seconds from the AirWatch console.
Access an excerpt of the new IDC MarketScape Unified Endpoint Management report to start researching UEM.
Remember, UEM for UEM’s sake doesn’t ensure success. We recommend IT organizations complete the required due diligence to ensure their UEM solution supports the lifecycle management capabilities needed across adopted enterprise endpoint platforms and the use cases workforces need to be successful.
