Providing a digital workspace, one in which users have access to the apps they need and want—anytime, anywhere, on any device— creates measurable gains for organizations, but can also cause challenges for IT teams.
In the past, mobile device management (MDM) tools delivered cloud-scale and cost efficiencies for iOS and Android management that were not seen in the traditional PC space. Now PC vendors are beginning to re-architect their OS platform to take advantage of these mobile-cloud efficiencies. For example, modern desktop OSs such as Windows 10, macOS High Sierra, and Chrome OS allow cloud-based, API-driven administration—setting the stage for a unified endpoint management (UEM) of mobile and desktops.
In short, UEM is an approach intended to deliver cross-platform innovation, management consistency, and ease of use; and address the shifting business requirements — in this case, those brought on by the digital workspace — and solve for them.
How UEM Helps
UEM is a way of securing and controlling desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets in a connected, cohesive manner from a single technology. Done right, it should combine mobile efficiencies with robust PC lifecycle management requirements to meet the needs of modern organizations.
But not all UEM solutions are created equal. Organizations on the journey to digital transformation are taking a cloud-first approach to infrastructure management, and are supporting technologies that span both OS and device type. For a UEM solution to be truly unified, it must not only meet the meets of myriad systems, but also support management depth, security mandates, and scalability requirements.
While different providers push and pull the definition UEM to best position their offering, there are five ‘must haves’ to meet the needs of digital transformation.
UEM ‘Must-Haves’
1. Platform depth for any OS and device type
A robust endpoint management technology should put an end to IT management silos and help tame the marginal costs of diversity. That means an approach that can support the different processes or procedures across OS and device type in a unified solution. While consolidation of disparate tools and processes is an important driver to UEM, IT must also carefully evaluate the management capabilities needed for each endpoint and make sure that all are supported.
For example, VMware Workspace ONE, an integrated platform powered by VMware AirWatch unified endpoint management technology leverages a modern, cloud-first architecture to provide IT a single pane for real-time, over-the-air lifecycle management and security across any OS, any desktop, and any app. It does so with the necessary management depth that addresses the idiosyncrasies and needs of each platform and the processes and policies organizations may have developed over time. The value of unified management is diminished if IT is forced to lose requisite management and security controls it relies upon.
Workspace ONE supports all major operating systems (including Android, iOS, Windows 10, macOS, Chrome OS, and more), so IT teams can manage all desktop and laptop devices right alongside mobile devices using a modern, cloud-based management approach.
2. Unified, cloud-first management of Windows PCs
A robust UEM approach should extend beyond the native MDM support already built into Windows 10, and address current PC lifecycle management processes for configuration, OS patching, software distribution, and client health and security.Workspace ONE dramatically reduces IT time and cost with real-time, over-the-air management across all phases of the PC lifecycle – from onboarding to retirement; and all use cases – including securing remote worker devices that are off the corporate network. It also delivers the best user experience with powerful self-service enablement to reduce help-desk costs and keep users productive.
The digital workspace demands this type of flexible PC lifecycle management solution that provides a clear path forward to modern management.
3. Broad security and ecosystem support
A UEM technology must be able to support security protocols, deployment choices (cloud or on premises), as well as current and devices and apps.Workspace ONE provides native data loss prevention (DLP), and features integrated per-app VPN, containerized productivity apps, and risk-based conditional access controls. It allows for the simplest enablement and provisioning of Microsoft Office 365 including complete DLP support that leverages the Intune Graph APIs for cut/copy/paste, save-as controls, and others.
Workspace ONE also features required enterprise-grade security certifications making it a fit for government agencies and regulated industries. And the VMware open ecosystem allows integration with the best-of-breed security providers to mitigate mobile and desktop security threats. These include dozens of partners across Identity Providers, CASBs, Mobile Threat Defense, Endpoint Protection, and Network Security with documented integrations with Workspace ONE.
4. Support for a comprehensive digital workspace
Yes, a UEM technology should help to keep all endpoints up to date and compliant with corporate policies—whether in the office or remote—and across all use cases—whether corporate, BYO, or line of business.Workspace ONE goes beyond device management to also enable users to access any app—SaaS, web, native, virtual—from any device. It unifies disparate tools for single-pane management and user access, provides a consolidated Workspace ONE app catalog for consistent user experience across endpoint devices, and supports self-service processes – including new app installs, password reset, encryption key recovery, remote wipe devices, and others. The result is a superior experience and increased productivity for both users and IT.
5. Proven track record in performance and innovation
UEM for UEM’s sake doesn’t ensure success. Savvy IT organizations do their due diligence to ensure their UEM solution supports the lifecycle management capabilities needed across enterprise endpoint platforms and use cases that workforces need to be successful.Workspace ONE has been recognized by key industry analysts including Gartner and Forrester and was recently recognized as a Leader in the inaugural IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Unified Endpoint Management Software 2017 Vendor Assessment.
VMware Workspace ONE Powered by VMware AirWatch
VMware Workspace ONE empowers the digital workspace by combining a consumer-simple experience with enterprise-class security. It offers enterprises a digital workspace platform that simply and securely delivers and manages any app on any device by integrating access control, application, and unified endpoint management.
Visit our website to learn more about Workspace ONE.
Ready to see VMware Workspace ONE in action? Check out the Hands-on Lab.
