The secret is in the software. When an IT professional thinks about a endpoint what might just come to mind is a device that is cheap for a reason as it does not provide the user-experience and management of a traditional personal computer. Yes, this is true for the traditional endpoint, but we don’t live in a traditional world. We have choices, and there are many companies out there today who are reimagining and thus disrupting entire industries. For example, Tesla for cars and IGEL for what is traditionally known as a endpoint.

The secret is in the software. Over the past 20 years, IGEL has been heads down not looking at a endpoint as a hardware solution but as a software one. Now in 2018, we find ourselves with the most powerful, real-time, platform for deploying and managing endpoints in the world today. The platform consists of two components, the IGEL OS and the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS). Together, they allow IT to centrally deploy, manage and update a modern, secure, operating system that was designed for Citrix, VMware, Microsoft environments on any x86 64bit device at any time. All centrally updated and managed.

The secret is in the software. The IGEL OS itself was 100% designed and built by our team of software developers in Augsburg Germany. The goal was to create a secure OS who’s every configuration can be turned on or off, or changed to blue or red. The result was the ability for IT to deliver an experience to the end-user that fits each user’s requirements and taste, oh and it’s secure too.

Did you know, a user can switch from one device to the next and always have the same user experience. Citrix gave us anywhere, anytime, any device access to the app and now IGEL gives us any, any, any (x86 64bit) access for the operating system and end-user environment. I’ve never understood how we centrally manage and deploy apps to gain the benefits of virtualization and centralization, but we don’t do it for the end-points. With IGEL you can…

IGEL developed the OS for this use-case. They did not retrofit a 1990s OS that has been updated every few years and patched every Tuesday.

The secret is in the software. The IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) is the brains of the platform. The UMS allow IT to securely manage the end-point device no matter where a user might find themselves in the world that day. IT does this through the ability to create detailed profiles consisting of applications to be deployed and managed to the look-and-feel of the user’s IGEL OS. Profiles are assigned to end-users based how IT defines them to be. It’s that simple. With over 7,000 different possible configurations the UMS allow IT to truly create a secure, productive, environment for the user while allowing IT to save money and manage users the way they should. Oh, all this is done in real time.

As an example of how scalable and straightforward it is to manage your end-points with IGEL, I like to talk about a customer named Luxottica. They are the owners of Sunglass Hut and Lens Crafters, to name a couple. I’ve personally shopped in both of those stores. Luxottica has over 30,000 devices in over 5,000 global locations. All managed by 1 person, and she does not even log in, but once or twice a month. Don’t believe me? Watch Chantell Comberger, IT Solution Architect at Luxottica discuss Luxottica’s IGEL environment at DISRUPT 2018, Austin. Need I say more? This is the power of the software!

The secret is in the software!

Above I mentioned Tesla! They are redefining what a car is, how it is sold, what it can do, and so much more. IGEL does the same thing. Like the Tesla, the secret is in the software. The Tesla today is faster and more efficient than it was two years ago. Why? Software updates and all Tesla owners receive these benefits, over the air and in real time. This is exactly how IGEL does it. If there is a new version of the IGEL OS, new configuration or application it is deployed in real time to the endpoint. It is that simple, that powerful and it just works. As Steven Burke, Sr. Editor at CRN, so correctly put it in his article titled, “The ‘Tesla’ Of End Point Management: IGEL Is Going Into ‘Disrupt Conference’ With Record Software/Channel Sales Growth.”

I can go on and on, but you get the picture. This is my short answer to why all the success. While everyone else saw endpoints as hardware, IGEL thought different and saw the secret in the software. The success comes from years of looking at the problem from the right viewpoint, the software viewpoint, and then IGEL built a solution that is flexible and power all while taking advantage of the modern requirements of computing, in real-time, in any location!

I will leave you with a quote from Steve Greenberg, Citrix CTP Fellow, CEO and Founder of Endpoint Computing, after spending just two days at the IGEL DISRUPT End-User Computing Conference in Austin, Texas.

“It is truly a ‘No Brainer.’ The premise of a secure cost-saving endpoint with excellent management capabilities will become the new standard for the end-point and business computing.”

The post The Secret to the IGEL Success? We Thought Differently appeared first on IGEL.

I’m thrilled and proud to introduce you to the first version of the ‘IGEL Software Platform: Step-by-Step Getting Started Guide.‘  A free book, written by the IGEL Community, on how to install and configure the IGEL software stack, all screen-shot by screen-shot.

Simply put, our goal is to take any complexity and guesswork out of getting to know the IGEL Platform by providing you with the tools, knowledge, and understanding to quickly install, configure and master the IGEL software suite.

Download the ‘IGEL Software Platform: Step-by-Step Getting Started Guide’ NOW!

We start with the basics, the ability to download the IGEL Platform trial software and perform basic installation and configuration. We walk you, step-by-step, through what is required for you to get up and running in a proof-of-concept or lab scenario.

When finished, you will have a fully working IGEL End-Point Management Platform consisting of the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS), IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG) and at least one IGEL OS installed, connected and centrally managed!

All this, screen-shot by screen-shot. No guesswork! Easy as eating Pie!

Version 1 includes the following:

• Download IGEL Software
• How to Install the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS)
• How to Open Firewall Ports Required by UMS
• How to Create an AWS Instance for IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG)
• How to Open Firewall Ports Required by ICG
• How to Create Required DNS Records
• How to Create and install an SSL Certificate for ICG
• How to Install the IGEL ICG Software
• How to License the IGEL ICG
• How to Install IGEL OS Universal Desktop Converter (UDC)
• How to Add IGEL Devices to the UMS
• How to License the IGEL OS UDC
• How to Create Basic Folder Structure
• How to Create Basic UMS Profiles
• How to Configure Custom Desktop Wallpaper

Over time the IGEL Community will release new versions. We will not only improve and update existing sections but also add additional topics and configurations, all step-by-step, screenshot-by-screenshot. With steps so simple your Mom could do it but packed with a slew of links for you to learn more and dive deeper!

I would be remiss not to mention the incredible contributions of the #IGELCommunity.  Together we are better!

Stay up to date with what’s new with this project, and what’s technically new at IGEL, please join the IGEL Community and our very active Slack group.

Yes, for some life might be complicated, but now the process of getting the IGEL Platform up and running is fun and easy!  You will love it, trust me!

Download the ‘IGEL Software Platform: Step-by-Step Getting Started Guide’ NOW!

Thanks for downloading!

The post IGEL Community Releases “How-To Install and Configure IGEL Software Platform” Made Easy Book appeared first on IGEL.

Boy, are we lovin’ February!  Our Austin DISRUPT event last week was a standout success. And our latest good news is IGEL’s North America VP of Sales Brad Tompkins has been named to the 2018 CRN_® Channel Chiefs list!

Brad joined IGEL less than a year ago and is a great example of how our IGEL team goes from zero to 60 quickly in contributing to IGEL’s milestone record of successes.  He has been a key player in moving IGEL to a software-driven sales model.  His decade-long experience in driving adoption of virtualization has helped all our channel partners to effectively sell IGEL’s endpoint security and optimization software solutions to our rapidly growing customer base.

The numbers tell the story:

• IGEL ended 2017 with 74% revenue growth in the U.S., year-over-year.
• Software sales were up by 589% in the U.S., and specifically included sales for IGEL’s Universal Desktop Converter (UDC) and UD Pocket solutions.
• During 2017 IGEL added 258,000 hardware units and 115,000 software seats, globally, resulting in a 16% growth in revenue for IGEL.

When Brad joined our team he had this to say:  “IGEL is an innovative company that understands that endpoint security and optimization software is the key to delivering powerful virtual desktops and that a robust channel is the preferred way to integrate this software into the larger VDI and XaaS environment.”

We agree!  As a channel-first company, we succeed due to great contributors like Brad who understand how to tell our story to companies: that our smart, simple and secure endpoint security and optimization solutions can quickly and cost effectively improve their end user computing environment.

The 2018 CRN Channel Chiefs list, including the 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs, is featured online at www.crn.com/channelchiefs and will appear in the February 2018 issue of CRN.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The post Happy Valentine’s Day! We’re Loving Our IGEL Team and CRN Naming our own Brad Tompkins to Channel Chiefs List appeared first on IGEL.

IGEL North America is solidly out in front of the evolution in end user computing with our focus on endpoint security and optimization software.  We’re hitting the right note with customers who have their eye on their budgets but, at the same time, want to deliver the best possible user experience to any device, anywhere.

Customers are looking for endpoint software that can keep up with remote workers in a variety of locations, from an office cubicle to an airport terminal.  IGEL delivers this flexibility with its Universal Desktop Converter (UDC) which installs the IGEL OS on any 64-bit x86 device.  With the UDC we turn legacy hardware into an IGEL endpoint, saving enterprises tons of money and producing happy, productive workers.

In the past year, we’ve also had phenomenal response to our micro endpoint,

the UD Pocket, a paper-clip sized device that gives mobile workers access to their server-based applications or virtual desktops, all securely integrated with our Universal Management Suite.   UD Pocket users who want to securely access cloud services will also like its integration with our IGEL Cloud Gateway which lets IT manage devices, wherever they are, with the same granular, policy-based precision.

IGEL UD Pocket is a perfect example of how our development team is disrupting end user computing with creative devices that help people work the way they want to work today.

Channel First!

As we celebrate a great sales year at DISRUPT, it will be our chance to give a big ? to our stellar network of channel partners.  We are a 100% channel-led, partner first company with multiple industry awards for our tools and resources that help our partners succeed so brilliantly.

DISRUPT LIVE!

We’re very excited about our DISRUPT End User Computing Forum, where a cross section of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), endpoint and computing leaders will join our partners and customers in exploring where EUC is headed.

If you can’t make it to Austin, check out our live streaming:  register at www.disrupteuc.com.  Join us virtually for great insights into EUC’s future!

The post IGEL DISRUPTS the U.S. Market Again with 2017 Record Software Sales Growth! appeared first on IGEL.

There are so many positive takeaways from IGEL DISRUPT in Bremen.  All of these features you will also see at DISRUPT Austin.  Here are just a few:

• Not a cattle-call trade show, DISRUPT is intimate in size so conversations can have depth instead of being lost in a sea of thousands. J
• We’re laser focused on end user computing (EUC) so talks and sessions will have substance and information you can use to build your EUC-related business.
• Its name says it all: we’re not status quo.  You’ll hear and discuss disruptive trends such as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), and how EUC may just be the natural precursor to IoT! We’ve invited Stephen DiFranco from IoT Advisory Group to share his thoughts on the future of hundreds of billions of sensors and tens of billions of connected devices.
• You’ll have a priceless opportunity, in a smaller venue, to have productive conversations with top executives from Citrix, VMware, IGEL and with other EUC thought leaders from companies such as Lakeside Software, deviceTRUST, Sennheiser and PrinterLogic.
• We even have a few surprise guests including Brian Madden…yes the famous Brian Madden coming out of retirement for his first presentation since leaving Tech Target.
• We also have John Majeski (former CTO of Dell/Wyse) speaking on where he sees the industry headed and the power of software.
• And we’ll be covering one of the most important challenges facing IT today: equality for women. We’ve invited Eva Helen (Former President of Sanbolic, sold to Citrix) to share her story and provide new organizational EQ Inspiration.
• Putting this thought leadership into practical application, you can become one of the first IGEL Certified Engineers (ICE) by attending the DISRUPT Technical Boot Camp on Tuesday February 6th.

EUC Immersion

DISRUPT is proving the EUC community is looking for a venue in which to share experiences, exchange ideas, and shape the future.  We have an impressive group of 34 global sponsors who will be participating in keynotes, talk shows and workshops.  Based on the Bremen experience, we can promise you will find DISRUPT an amazing cross-section of inspirational speakers who are also hands-on business strategists-a great combination!
If you haven’t already, click here to register for DISRUPT Austin.

View the full DISRUPT agenda here.

It’s game on in Austin!  Be there to be an EUC pro in 2018!

P.S.  If you really can’t get away to Austin, we’ll be live streaming all the main stage presentations, the technical boot camp and some workshops, so register on line at www.disrupteuc.com.

The post Forget the Super Bowl! The Real Players are in Austin February 6-8! It’s Game On at IGEL’s First DISRUPT End User Computing Event! appeared first on IGEL.

IGEL has acted quickly in response to the recently disclosed Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities with fixes released today.

As background, Meltdown and Spectre affect computer processors, with Meltdown (CVE-2017-5754, critical) affecting Intel CPUs only, and Spectre (CVE-2017-5753 and CVE-2017-5715, high) affecting processors from Intel, AMD and ARM. These vulnerabilities may allow software to read information from other programs and the operating system that they shouldn’t be able to access, for example passwords.

Today IGEL releases fixed firmware images and updates. IGEL strongly recommends updating your devices to these. Note: Any information provided does not release the customer from their obligation to test system modifications in advance. New firmware must always be tested in advance.

The following fixed versions are available for download at https://www.igel.com/software-downloads/

• Partial Update for WES7 and WES7+ with fixes for Meltdown and Spectre (CVE-2017-5754, CVE-2017-5715, CVE-2017-5753) and mitigations for Internet Explorer
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise Private Build 4.01.140 with fixes for Meltdown and Spectre (CVE-2017-5754, CVE-2017-5715, CVE-2017-5753) and mitigations for Internet Explorer
• IGEL OS 10 Private Build 10.03.550 with fixes for Meltdown (CVE-2017-5754) and Spectre version 2 (CVE-2017-5715), Firefox ESR 52.5 is not affected
  • LX (for UD-LX devices)
  • OS (for UDC3-converted devices and UD Pocket)

The IGEL OS 10 Private Build 10.03.550 has been successfully tested on all IGEL UD-LX devices:

• IZ2-RFX, IZ2-HDX, IZ2-HORIZON
• IZ3-RFX, IZ3-HDX, IZ3-HORIZON
• UD2-LX 40
• UD3-LX 50, UD3-LX 42, UD3-LX 41, UD3-LX 40
• UD5-LX 50, UD5-LX 40
• UD6-LX 51
• UD9-LX Touch 41, UD9-LX 40
• UD10-LX Touch 10, UD10-LX 10

… and on the following 3rd-party devices:

• Acer Veriton
• Advantech-DLoG DLT-V6210
• Advantech-DLoG DLT-V7210 R
• Dell Wyse D10DP
• Dell Wyse D50D
• Dell Wyse Z90Q7
• Lenovo Tiny M600
• Fujitsu Futro X913
• Fujitsu Futro X923
• Lenovo M600
• Toshiba Portege X20W-D-11N

NEW: As of 2/2/2018 the new release contains the Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI) patch for the Linux Kernel which fixes Meltdown (CVE-2017-5754). Intel has withdrawn its processor microcode updates intended to mitigate the Spectre variant 2 vulnerability (CVE-2017-5715) because of undesirable side-effects that have been seen on some systems. IGEL has removed these microcode updates from IGEL OS as recommended by Intel. Apart from that, the IGEL OS kernel has received fixes for a dozen other vulnerabilities, details can be found in the release notes.

Mozilla Firefox has been updated to protect users from a side-channel attack that uses Spectre and from a number of other vulnerabilities. The default SMB version in IGEL OS 10 has been changed from 1.0 to 2.0 for security reasons. However, administrators can still set another version if desired. We recommend updating your devices.

The following fixed versions are available for download:

• IGEL OS 10.03.570 (LX) for updating IGEL UD-LX devices
• IGEL OS 10.03.570 (OS) for updating UD Pocket und 3rd-party devices converted with UDC3

Information about IGEL Linux 5:

Currently, there is no fix for IGEL Linux 5, as the Linux Kernel developers have not integrated measures against Meltdown into the 32-bit version of the kernel. This affects IGEL Linux 5 and all other 32-bit Linux systems on the market. Currently there is no Meltdown fix in the 32-bit mainline Linux Kernel, but it may become available later. In the meantime, protection from the vulnerabilities can be provided via microcode updates from the processor vendors. IGEL will integrate these as soon as they become available.

However, the Mozilla Firefox web browser in IGEL Linux 5 is not vulnerable to the JavaScript attack in the Proof-of-Concept, as it does not have the required high-resolution timers. Apart from that, removing the local browser is always a measure that improves device security, as it is often used for remote attacks. Learn how to do it at http://edocs.igel.com/index.htm#13934.htm. Also, Appliance Mode limits the parts of the system that users can access, further reducing the attack surface: http://edocs.igel.com/index.htm#13944.htm.

Further Windows Information:

Windows devices will also need microcode updates for a complete fix of Spectre.  IGEL will deliver these as soon as they become available.

It is our commitment to deliver the most resilient and secure endpoint security and optimization solutions possible. We will continue to pursue every avenue to deliver on this commitment so that our customers can be assured every protection for their IGEL-enabled end user computing devices. If you have any questions about these vulnerability fixes, please contact IGEL support here: https://www.igel.com/submit-a-ticket/.

The post IGEL Furthers Product Security with Meltdown and Spectre Fix appeared first on IGEL.

So we are doubly pleased that IGEL is the first manufacturer to integrate deviceTRUST’s dynamic context awareness technology into its endpoint computing solutions.  We know end-users on the go may not always have compliance or security requirements as their top of mind concerns.  With deviceTRUST, an IGEL OS 10.03.500 end-user will only gain access to applications that are secure for that context.  If an end-user is in a café, and accessing their corporate desktop from an unsecured Wi-Fi hookup, deviceTRUST will control – via context awareness – which applications are appropriate for that particular individual at that specific location.  As end-users roam between IGEL OS-powered endpoints, they are now covered by deviceTRUST protection.

IGEL continues to prove that its endpoint security and optimization software is the secure answer to a diverse, x-86 device environment.  We welcome like-minded innovators like deviceTRUST who are adding another layer of security that IT needs to prevent risk.

Availability

deviceTRUST is now available with IGEL OS 10.03.500 and can be activated via the IGEL Universal Management Suite^TM (UMS) management console.

Meet deviceTRUST at IGEL DISRUPT

deviceTRUST is a Gold-level sponsor for IGEL DISRUPT End User Computing Forum 2018 in Germany. Additionally, Sascha Goeckel, CEO of deviceTRUST will be presenting at IGEL DISRUPT EMEA, taking place in Bremen, Germany from January 17-19, 2018.  For more information and to register, click here.

The post IGEL Amps up Endpoint Security with deviceTRUST appeared first on IGEL.

Until now, Jeff has been a bit of an unsung hero in the IT channel. That changes today with CRN_® naming Jeff to its 2017 list of “100 People You Don’t Know But Should.” After talking to solution providers and industry executives CRN created the list of channel management professionals who work under-the-radar, tirelessly working to support the IT channel.

Tirelessly is an apt description of Jeff, who leads partner training sessions and speaks at partner and customer events more than 50 times a year!   After 35 years in the IT industry, Jeff knows what IGEL’s endpoint security and optimization software can do to streamline IT operations and support secure VDI. Importantly, his experience also plays in being able to develop channel solutions and solve problems so VDI adoption looks doable to the customer.

This powerhouse combination is why Jeff has been a key contributor in IGEL achieving an 890% increase in software sales for the first half of 2017, and 156% growth worldwide.

We’re fortunate to have Jeff on our team at IGEL and delighted his contributions to the channel are getting the public recognition he deserves.

The 2017 list of “100 People You Don’t Know But Should” will be featured in the October issue of CRN and can be viewed online at www.crn.com/100people. Click here for more information on the IGEL partner program. To experience the capabilities of IGEL’s OS^TM, Universal Desktop Converter^TM (UDC) and Universal Management Suite^TM (UMS), download here, or request free evaluation hardware.

The post Jeff Kalberg, IGEL’s Behind-the-Scenes Champion, is now Center Stage, thanks to CRN! appeared first on IGEL.

MTM Technologies and Andrew Witt scored the top position in the Oktoberfest race for achieving the most sales revenue between January 1 and August 31, 2017. The MTM team shares our commitment to delivering the best, simple, secure endpoint security and optimization software solutions and making it easy for organizations to transform their legacy desktops into up-to-date modern, mobile and remote-ready devices.

According to his co-workers, Andrew winning the top prize came as no surprise, as he has a passion for technology and selling. And he’s having a banner year, also earning a coveted spot on MTM President’s Club.

Who will win IGEL’s Oktoberfest 2018 competition?   IGEL currently has 17 Platinum Partners so start now to be the next to hoist a stein!

The post Guess Who Went to Oktoberfest Munich 2017? appeared first on IGEL.

Desktops from the cloud are the future – who wants to run all that infrastructure in the background and worry about networking, storage and compute resources? Let’s leave that to the cloud folks: Amazon, Azure, Google and IBM are going to be better for any small or medium size business.

How can IGEL help? Well for one thing, wherever you get your desktop you are still going to need something on the desktop that helps you display, run and manage your applications even if they are in the cloud. And guess what? The average business is going to need some help with getting that endpoint configured and most importantly, made secure, and THAT is why I am so delighted that IGEL has been named to the CRN Cloud Partner Program. The 2017 Cloud Partner Program Guide will be featured in the October issue of CRN and can be viewed online at www.crn.com/cloud-ppg.

Small and medium business need solutions and a partner to implement those solutions that fit with their business. Partners like Entisys360, MTM Technologies, Right! Systems

and Bechtle in Europe are helping customers be successful with DaaS. IGEL has helped too, with the UDC for permanently converting older hardware to IGEL OS, with UD Pocket for temporarily repurposing a device, and with the IGEL Cloud Gateway (think no VPN needed) to ensure every device that can access the Internet is now securely manageable.

IGEL and its partners are primed to bring cloud-based VDI to the market. Here’s looking forward to partnering with you for the next generation desktop.

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The post IGEL Milestone: IGEL Gains CRN Recognition for its Cloud Partner Programs appeared first on IGEL.