Reaching My Potential

As a child in northern California in the 70s and 80s, I grew up near Mendocino, famous for its hippy communes, deep in the redwoods, where I was surrounded by independent thinkers. Even though my parents were devoted schoolteachers, I wasn’t too interested in school or grades. I favored the outdoors and sports. To the dismay of my parents, I ended 7th grade with a report card full of “Cs,” and some unsavory, hand-written comments from teachers.

“Not reaching his potential,” was one of the nicer sentiments. It was on a summer night in June that my Dad sat me down for a “talk.” He took me into his study, an old, converted woodshed, and pulled out a blank report card. It was the same design as the one that had just arrived with the poor grades. He started filling it out with my name and the courses I would take that next fall semester. Next to each class he put in an “A” in every box. He put the report card into an old metal picture frame and handed it to me. I put that frame on my dresser and stared at it every day.

I visualized it, internalized it, and dreamed about it. It was the first thing I saw every morning, and the last thing I saw at night when I went to bed. That summer, something clicked.

When school started that fall, worked harder. I stopped smarting off and messing around. I made flash cards and studied them on the long car rides to school. In class I was engaged and focused. I kept visualizing “As.” When my report card arrived that winter, it matched the one in the frame. I proudly took it and slid it into the frame and left it there. By the end of the year, it was joined by a plaque that I was given for “most improved student.” I materialized what I had visualized.

Visualization is a Journey

This event in my life has transformed how I approach all my goals. It was the beginning of a perspective of success that I have applied throughout my life and career. When it comes to business goals, I’m a firm believer that if you can visualize success, good things will follow. See more here:

Give you another example: five years ago, I visualized that my company, IGEL, a little-known German thin client manufacturer could transform into a successful software company on the strength of the Operating System in IGEL’s hardware. Today, we’re the leader in this space. Throughout this journey I had a tagline: BELIEVE.

How does this visualization work? It’s about taking the next right step. You have to have a plan, a set of instructions. And just know that somedays it won’t work. You’ll get your ass whipped. But you get up the next day, reset and continue to execute. It requires follow through and perseverance. But taking the time to imagine and internalize what you want to accomplish in your world will help you achieve your goals.

What are you visualizing in 2022? Whatever it is, I wish you great success.

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What started as a little tech startup in Germany 20 years ago – when only 7% of the internet users worldwide had broadband – is now a revolutionary innovator driving the new “work from anywhere” era.

But the evolution of IGEL didn’t simply “happen.” It was strategically built with a laser focus on execution and a unwavering belief in a vision for a more secure, easier to manage and lower cost endpoint. A vision that continues to this day.

IGEL’s vision to make a secure and more manageable Linux OS available on nearly any PC or device has become a game changer. It has paved the way for an entirely new category of edge operating systems. And now, by partnering with major device manufacturers like HP, LG and Lenovo, IGEL has become the leading enterprise alternative OS to Windows.

IGEL has met the moment. In a time where work from anywhere is required and remote work the norm, IGEL is delivering the solution the world’s digital workforce needs – right when it needs it.

No, IGEL is not a typical tech company. We’re a team of believers with a culture of dreaming big… and making the impossible possible. That’s how we’ve evolved from a tiny rooftop attic 20 years ago to a disruptive dynamo in the technology landscape for today’s digital worker.

Now, as we rest up for the next 20-year run, we’ll be taking Friday, December 10 off to celebrate. But trust me when I say, we’re only just getting started. Come believe with us as we help drive the future of edge computing. Happy Birthday IGEL!

The post IGEL Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation… and We’re Just Getting Started appeared first on IGEL.

What Remote Work May Put at Risk

That early experience actually evolved into my MBA thesis which, you guessed it, was on managing a remote workforce. Looking back on that body of work, I reflect on how much more I understand now about remote working, and what is truly at risk. In short: the value of collaboration.

You see, I’ve delved for years into the importance of the remote worker’s user experience. How to improve productivity. What can drive performance. How to enable users to work how they want, when, and where. In fact, I helped trademark the “anyplace workspace” term as far back as 2008, when working with Cisco and NetApp on a desktop alliance that helped to empower the remote workers.

Yes. User experience is important. But it’s still missing something vital. Something that really didn’t strike me until six years ago when I worked in a company where being in the office was required most of the time. There’s magic that can happen when you’re in a room brainstorming together. The energy of collaboration. The human spirit that gets unlocked when you break bread together, laugh, joke, and engage.

Collaboration is the Heart of Innovation

Pointing out what can be lost when independently working from home might sound funny coming from a CEO of a company that’s mission is to securely enable a remote workforce. Don’t get me wrong. Remote work is vital to the future of digital business. It will never go away. We just need to embrace remote work with a clear view into what it may change or how it might impact business-critical areas including innovation, employee loyalty, or passion.

As a leader of highly virtual business, I’ve seen the effect of employees working independently from their homes. I feel IGEL has been successful in helping to keep employees engaged and productive through the pandemic era. I also know that during this time we’ve all felt loss and loneliness through isolation and seclusion.

Now, as we slowly go back into the office or meet in person I can feel the energy lift. I recently completed a whirl-wind roadshow of our in-person DISRUPT Unite event and the elation in the room that came from seeing everyone face-to-face again was unmistakable. We needed to connect. We needed to break bread. We needed to laugh, joke, and engage. We, humans, are social animals. Something extra happens face-to-face.

The takeaway? Remote work can’t be adopted at the expense of collaboration. And collaborative work can’t be simply achieved through a video screen. The success of a business comes from people – and the success of people comes from connection. As we embark on the remote work journey of the future, let’s vow to remember the importance of togetherness. It’s this collaboration where magic happens. Let’s stay human.

The post Let’s Stay Human:  Remote Work and the Importance of Collaboration appeared first on IGEL.

Linux is even more relevant today as enterprises are moving apps and desktops to the cloud and end user computing (EUC) to the edge, and requiring an OS that can simply and securely deliver cloud-based applications to the hybrid remote/on-prem workforce.

While Linux has been powering supercomputers, financial exchanges, and medical equipment for years, lately we are seeing Linux becoming a more powerful force in EUC. Microsoft advocating Linux for accessing Windows in the cloud, rather than using Windows natively on the endpoint, is a bellwether that points to Linux’s growing prominence as the OS that meets modern EUC demands. This was followed by Microsoft announcing its partnership with IGEL as the Linux endpoint for delivering Windows Virtual Desktop, now known as Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). And IGEL is also the right choice for the newly announced Windows 365 solution for the best performance, manageability and security.

Here at IGEL we’re gratified the computing world is seeing the unlimited possibilities of Linux. In fact, we were early believers in Linux – 20 years ago! Our Linux-based operating system is at the heart of our global success in transitioning enterprises from reliance on costly hardware with built-in obsolescence to a far more flexible, software-centric environment in which IGEL OS-powered endpoints call up custom end-user profiles, anywhere on any device. Today, IGEL OS provides millions of employees a combined OS, management, and control solution providing secure access to cloud-delivered workspaces from anywhere.

Watch our Linux Anniversary commemorative video here:

The next decade of Linux will undoubtedly see new iterations of cyberattacks and this is another reason IGEL is a Linux believer. IGEL OS is virtually impossible to manipulate and extremely resistant to viruses and other malware. We add to this multi-factor authentication, smart card readers, biometric scanners and trusted execution to deliver a highly secure EUC experience – protecting users and enterprises.

IGEL looks forward to answering the challenges and celebrating more victories with Linux. IGEL OS has been a steady force in propelling the transition to the cloud, and its superior performance and security points to an even more powerful future!

The post Linux Turns 30! Endpoints around the World are Celebrating Today! appeared first on IGEL.

Despite the challenges the past year from COVID, with IGEL’s help, market-leading customers in healthcare, retail, banking, manufacturing, education, and beyond were able to stay open and remain competitive. Additionally, IGEL enabled scores of organizations to successfully divert their workforces to safely work from home.

Today, we mark another significant milestone in our historic journey with the announcement that TA Associates (TA) has signed a definitive agreement to make a growth investment in IGEL. Not only is this significant for IGEL, but it’s also noteworthy for the EUC market overall. Here’s why:

• It underscores the impact the new remote work and work-from-home movement is having on IT. Today, users want to remain productive without boundaries or limitations. IT must enable this new work paradigm by enabling secure access to their desired applications and data with any device they choose, from anywhere they want to work. The TA investment in IGEL shows they see the tremendous impact of this EUC shift as well as the value IGEL brings to this new future of work.
• It emphasizes the importance of endpoint security. Cybersecurity threats and data breach risks are more prevalent than ever. And, with workers operating more often than not at home or on-the-go, securing the endpoint is a vital mandate for IT. Using a Linux-based OS on the endpoint – and accessing Windows in the cloud or data center – is a major step in alleviating security risk. IGEL, with the power of TA behind us, will continue to enhance endpoint security for organizations that need to enable workers to remain productive from anywhere. IGEL OS has edge security built in. With a tiny attack surface, it minimizes endpoint security exposures while reducing troublesome security processes, like patch management and software updates.
• It showcases the rising adoption of cloud workspaces. Heavy and expensive endpoints are no longer required for a high-performing endpoint experience. Now desktop PC workloads are frequently being moved into the cloud or a secure datacenter where they can be protected with inherent fault tolerance and automated backups. IGEL OS is the operating system of choice for these cloud workspaces – offering fast logins, rapid application loading, more consistent operation and embedded security. The TA growth investment in IGEL highlights the importance of this movement towards cloud workspace adoption as the new standard for end user computing.

From everything I’ve observed, it feels like we’re at an inflection point. Entire industries and business models will be transformed. 2021 will be a year where those that make the right investments can thrive. And now with this new support from TA Associates, IGEL has the opportunity to accelerate our growth, innovation, and achieve a critically needed subscription model aligned with customer requirements and our key partners.

Bill Veghte Joins the Team

The TA growth investment is further underlined by the significance of adding Bill Veghte as IGEL Executive Chairman. Bill, a leader and visionary who has decades of experience developing operating systems and brining industry-leading technologies to market for companies including Microsoft and HP, is also placing his bets on IGEL.

As the Executive Chairman of the expanded IGEL board, Bill will enhance the IGEL growth trajectory as we expand and deepen the strong relationships IGEL has built with our technology partners. It’s yet another validation that IGEL is on a rocket ship of growth and innovation that will truly transform the EUC industry for good.

Check out my announcement video on this significant announcement here:

Just the Beginning

This is just the start of some amazing announcements to come from IGEL. These past few years have been an eventful time in the EUC industry – and IGEL – all because we’ve been supported by an amazing team of believers and visionaries. But it’s only setting the stage for the big things ahead. We invite you to hop aboard as IGEL explodes forward, taking the future of EUC to dramatic new levels of innovation. #Believe

The post A New Historic Moment Sets the Stage for Explosive IGEL Growth appeared first on IGEL.

For many years, Citrix and VMware have provided organizations with the ability to remotely connect to virtualized desktops. They’ve given all types of enterprises an alternative to deploying Windows at the edge. Some have utilized VDI for security reasons, others to try and lower cost, while many have embraced it to help with company acquisition and remote office worker access. Yet, despite the technology being available for over 20 years, VDI has typically only seen a 12% to 15% adoption rate compared to traditional Windows desktops. Until now.

The COVID Effect on VDI

When COVID hit and ‘work from home’ (WFH) became a requirement, those utilizing VDI simply increased their use of it. However, those that didn’t found themselves in world of supply chain issues, security challenges, remote management difficulties and VPN chaos.

In a world where datacenters were closed, server hardware supply shortages became a reality, and on-prem installations were more difficult, even those with VDI faced some challenges as they looked to expand their VDI usage. But ‘the cloud’ stepped up to save the day.

Hosting Citrix and VMware in the cloud had already started prior to COVID and WFH, but the world was still worried about security, data integrity and cost. Enter Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD).

Just months after Microsoft had released their Windows Virtual Desktop – as a Desktop as a Service (DaaS) offering – the world suddenly required DaaS more than ever. With the launch of WVD came new and enhanced offerings from Citrix and VMware – also in the cloud and sometimes on top of WVD. WVD also introduced new ways to license, further reducing the cost of deploying a virtualized desktop.

WFH dominated the end user computing space in 2020 and created a tactical increase of VDI/DaaS use. But now organizations are looking to the future and developing strategies which will also enable a ‘work from anywhere’ approach – one that supports a return to the workplace at some point yet simultaneously provides a longer term WFH strategy.

In 2019, Gartner had already predicted that that by 2023 “price reductions and product maturity will lead organizations to move 20% of VDI users into DaaS offerings in the cloud.” They also stipulated the importance of Microsoft entering the market by stating that “Microsoft’s entry into the desktop as a service (DaaS) market has dominated Gartner inquiries since September 2018 and rejuvenated interest in DaaS maturity and business value.”

Add to that, a recent report from Global Market Insights suggests that the VDI market size is set to surpass $30 billion by 2026, largely propelled by the adoption of WFH and BYOD policies.

What Should the Endpoint Be?

Whether it be for security, compliance, cost, user experience, or simply to reduce overall time wasted on endpoint management, VDI and DaaS are no doubt going to grow in the coming years. But if applications and desktops are being moved to the cloud, then one question remains – what about the endpoint? What do we really need that user device at the edge, in our homes and on our desks to be? How easy can it be managed and secured? This paradigm shift in VDI is also causing a momentous shift at the edge.

IDC reported in 2019, Linux was now leading the market as the operating system of choice, owning 39.4% of the market. It had overtaken Windows at the edge.

As more organizations transition to running Windows Desktops and applications in the cloud, the question is really whether the overhead and security concerns of Windows endpoint management are really required.

Ransomware continues to rise, the requirement to patch and the constant stream of updates draw significant attention to the time and cost of managing Windows remotely. VDI and DaaS solve much of this, but only if the endpoint is running something other than Windows.

Our bet in on the Linux-powered endpoint. With lower cost, greater security, flexible manageable and high performance – even for the most video-intensive applications – Linux-based edge devices are favored by even Microsoft for accessing workspaces in the cloud, particularly those based on WVD. These Linux-enabled solutions are also among the most valuable tools for supporting workers as they evolve to a hybrid, more agile workplace.

The future for VDI and DaaS is bright. Yes, computing cost will continue to rise, and automation and elasticity of the infrastructure will become ever more important. Even more critical will be securing the environment – from edge to cloud. But one takeaway we can confirm from 2020, edge computing has transformed for good and VDI may finally become the prevalent solution on our endpoints – no matter where we want to work.

Image licensed from Adobe Stock. 

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The interview centered on the impact of COVID-19 and how companies will rebound. In addition, each CEO was asked what steps others can take to sustain success and what books or podcasts have influenced us most.

The responses are now available in this inspiring 696-page eBook: CEOs Speak: Shaking Their Fists at Covid-19. It’s impressive compilation of thoughts, insights and lessons learned from CEOs across multiple vertical industries – from Agriculture and Consumer Products to Technology and Wholesale, and everything in between. Each CEO shares his or her own viewpoint, tips and top ways to move beyond COVID-19 to rebuild for a new tomorrow.

As the eBook editor and executive creative director Charlie Katz notes, the core thread offered by CEOs throughout the interviews is “Realistic Optimism.” I agree. This is a time to remain agile and embrace change – sometimes radical change. I truly enjoyed reading through each CEO’s perspective on this theme and learned many new concepts and visionary viewpoints.

You can view my contribution below as well as the full interview here:

As we look towards 2021, one thing we’ve learned from 2020 is clear: you never know what’s in store. By remaining agile, optimistic and realistic we can all move forward in a way that will have a positive effect on our employees, customers and the world. I for one am looking forward to what the new year has in store. Be kind, be safe and I’ll see you on the other side of 2020.

The post Joining Other Industry CEOs with Realistic Optimism appeared first on IGEL.

Not only is this a time for some well-deserved rest in the face of the unprecedented challenges facing us all today, it’s also a time to recharge, give back and reflect. A chance to reclaim the verve that it takes to dream, build and succeed.

It’s that kind of inspiration that drove the creation of Linux – a “hobby project” that has since changed the world.

Initially developed by a young college student in Finland, Linus Torvalds, Linux has since become an integral part of computing history. It has truly transformed our world. Linux is reliable, scalable and performant. Because Linus BELIEVED in an open source platform – one that was not owned by corporations or subject to licensing costs – Linux has made a significant impact on the technology of our time.

Unlike the millions of desktop computers which run Microsoft Windows, much of today’s technology is powered by Linux, an OS the majority of people have never even heard of. This platform is typically invisible to the user, while still able to seamlessly process millions of lines of code and execute trillions of operations per second. From the simple, easy-to-use LED interfaces or touch screen displays which power new Wi-Fi-connected devices (like your refrigerator), to helping us find our favorite song in Shazam to safely launching and bringing back astronauts from space. Linux powers them all.

Consider that today…

• The top 500 supercomputers in the world run Linux
• 90% of the Web runs on Linux
• 4 out of 5 of today’s cell phones and tables run on Linux-inspired platforms
• NASA and SpaceX use Linux to store, crunch and serve up data from satellites and telescopes to research institutions and the public
• The first humanoid robot sent to space – Robonaut 2 – runs on Linux
• Most of today’s smart TVs run on Linux
• Connected car functionality for Honda, Mazda, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and more runs on Linux
• The FAA’s Air Traffic Control system runs on Linux
• Japanese high-speed trains run on Linux
• ATMs and medical equipment largely run on Linux
• The world’s financial exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, run on Linux

Linux, while so invisible to most, truly has become the OS that powers the world.

Yet, for an OS originally created for personal computers why don’t we see many desktop PCs in work or the home running Linux? In fact, less than 2% of all PC’s run Linux at the edge. This however is changing…

With the rapid adoption of cloud computing, including the ability to run Windows desktops and applications as a cloud service, Linux is coming full circle. At the edge, it’s now changing how organizations deploy end user computing. In 2018, IDC reported that Linux has surpassed Windows as the edge OS of choice for thin clients. In May 2019, (and targeted at developers) Microsoft announced that they would further embrace Linux on the endpoint and announced that Windows 10 would ship with an updated Linux Kernel. This announcement was then followed in Sept 2019 when Microsoft announced its partnership with IGEL as the Linux endpoint of choice for Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD).

At IGEL, our focus has always been Linux.

“Frank Biermann, Vice President Research and Development at IGEL, recalls some of the first lines of code written at IGEL. “Our 1^st product back in 1994 was called Etherminal 3X. Even back then, the code was based on Linux kernel prior to 1.0.  Since its inception, IGEL has always been built on Linux and today the Linux platform continues to provide the most secure, stable 5.4.x LTS kernel series for us to build IGEL OS upon.”

Like many of the examples above, Linux is generally invisible to the user and by building on top of Linux, IGEL OS is able to help simplify the deployment and management of endpoints for employees – regardless of where they work. Today, IGEL OS provides over 17K customers a combined OS and management solution providing employees remote, secure access to cloud workspaces.

Like Linus, IGEL BELIEVES. Believes in the power of community. And Believes in the value of the EUC ecosystem. Today IGEL integrates over 90+ technologies into its platform through the IGEL Ready program and has over 4,000+ community members.

The story of Linux is a remarkable and unexpected one; and at IGEL we are honored to have been a part of that story for the past two decades.

Happy Birthday, Linux. We can’t wait to see what the next 29 years has in store!

The post IGEL Celebrates the Birthday of Linux; Takes Time to Dream and BELIEVE appeared first on IGEL.

VDI expert and solutions architect, Jason Samuel, from our friends at Alchemy Tech Group, has compiled an impressive “cheat sheet” guide that walks through everything you need to consider when building a Windows virtual desktop experience. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone looking to embark on a new VDI project, or seeking to refine their current EUC environment. Read it here.

One of the parts of this comprehensive guide that makes us at IGEL proud is the shout-out Jason gives to us in his section on clients. He writes:

“If you do decide to deploy thin clients, I highly suggest looking at IGEL. It is hands down the best management experience I’ve ever seen. If you’re still using Dell WYSE and HP here, you are wasting your time in my opinion. Once you try IGEL you won’t want to deploy anything else. Their UD Pockets are so cheap to deploy I have some customers pass them out like candy to their users.”

Thank you, Jason! It’s an honor to be included in your very thorough guide. You may, however, want to warn your customers that the UD Pockets, while great for fast, cost-effective endpoint deployment, don’t taste quite as good as a handful of M&Ms.

The post Building a Virtual Desktop for the Optimum Experience – A Comprehensive “Cheat Sheet” appeared first on IGEL.

New UMS capabilities don’t stop there. The new version also includes an IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG) Remote Installer; new and improved notifications; SSL/TLS Certificate Exchange; and the migration from 32-bit to 64-bit for increased memory and improved performance and reliability for large installations.

These new enhancements are a continuation of IGEL’s focus on the continued platform refinements that provide our customers and partners with the industry’s most innovative, software-defined endpoint security and optimization solutions. The new features are designed to make it easier for IT organizations to manage their iOS devices in the same way they would all other endpoints. Further, we’ve enhanced the integration with the IGEL Cloud Gateway by simplifying installation and upgrades and made it easier to manage licensing and certificates.

Introducing MDM Essentials for UMS

When organizations upgrade to IGEL UMS version 5.09.100, they will gain access to a free preview of MDM Essentials for UMS. Available for up to five iOS devices, the MDM Essentials for UMS app is available through the Apple App Store. Key management and security features include the ability to send current profile settings to the device;refresh/update device information;device lock;clear passcode; wipe device; restart the device; and, reset the device to factory defaults.

With MDM Essentials for UMS, organizations can also easily configure settings on supported devices including allowing or denying camera functionality and access to the App Store; setting passcode policies; configuring Wi-Fi settings; controlling the addition of POP3 or IMAP mail accounts; and, printer settings for Air Print.

Simplifying Integration with IGEL Cloud Gateway

With IGEL UMS 5.09.100, organizations benefit from easy and user-friendly two-step installation of ICG with selected certificate and user support to prevent inaccurate input. Organizations can also easily upgrade their ICG version and replace the IGC certificate.

Expanded Notifications and Certificate Options

The IGEL UMS 5.09.100 alerts users when licenses are about to expire or if new firmware versions are available for their devices. Users can also upgrade existing UMS SSL/TLS certificates to current algorithms to increase security and meet compliance, or use a certificate from their corporate PKI or preferred CA. Further, there is a failsafe mechanism to prevent any device from becoming unmanageable.

New IGEL License Portal (ILP)

In conjunction with the new UMS release, IGEL has also launched a new ILP with user enhancements that make the portal more intuitive and user friendly. Offering a responsive design, the ILP makes it easy to administer licenses from a tablet or even mobile phone. Thus, when working on the road or at remote locations, the portal is now easier to use from any device.

The modernized and redesigned ILP also offers productivity enhancing features such as a dashboard overview where all licenses and subscriptions can be seen in a single view. With simplified user management, the ILP also features an improved overview screen for easier navigation and interaction.

Availability and Support

The IGEL UMS version 5.09.100 is available now.Learn more in the IGEL Community. To experience the capabilities of the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS), download here, or request free evaluation hardware.

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