DISRUPT 2024 spotlights trends, innovations, and IGEL ecosystem partners driving the future of EUC.

As the end-user computing (EUC) market is projected to reach $20 billion by 2030, IGEL DISRUPT 2024, the only global event dedicated solely to EUC, attracted a record number of attendees this year. Connecting enterprise leaders like Microsoft, AWS, and Broadcom, the event featured an extensive tech expo, keynotes by industry visionaries, and focused training sessions on topics like endpoint security, healthcare IT, and partner app development. The event captured the hottest developments in the EUC industry, including launches of 

The theme "Now and Next" captured the conference's dual focus: celebrating today's advancements while creating a visionary path forward.

"Now & Next is all about solving the IT industry's problems, with an eye toward the future. Over the past five years, significant changes have occurred. From the shift to hybrid and remote to the increase in cybersecurity threats that affect data, applications, and infrastructure to the rise of AI-driven technologies. This has created new challenges for businesses and IT leaders — challenges they must solve today to secure and elevate the end-user computing experience."— Carl Gersh, VP of Global Marketing, IGEL

As a Silver sponsor and IGEL Ready ISV partner, Tricerat connected with our community of partners and customers to showcase how our enterprise printing solutions align with and deliver on the EUC promise of more productive, flexible, and secure user experiences of tomorrow.

Read our Tricerat + IGEL Partnership Guide

EUC in 2024: Key Trends and Takeaways

1. The Future of Enterprise is Multi-Tenant, Multi-Cloud, Hybrid

In 2024, EUC is reshaping workspace and endpoint protection models to align with AI-driven trends and the increasing user demand for "work from anywhere." The focus is on developing user-centric solutions that integrate into an interoperable ecosystem, providing enterprises with the necessary flexibility and scale. 

Mark Templeton's Vision for "Enterprise Utility Computing"

"The future of Enterprise EUC is here — ditch the outdated and embrace the power of cloud-based, multi-platform solutions." — Mark Templeton, former CEO, Citrix

In a captivating keynote, former Citrix CEO Mark Templeton explained his vision for "Enterprise Utility Computing." Templeton presented a shift from traditional, monolithic infrastructures to multi-tenant, multi-cloud, and hybrid models that combine on-premises infrastructure with cloud agility for a more user-centric, flexible, and scalable future for EUC.Next.

In this platform-centric vision, a unified digital ecosystem offers plug-and-play, on-demand SaaS solutions with utility-like pricing for scalable resource allocation in hybrid environments and future readiness. He also discussed: 

• Shifting to cloud-based models, including VDI adoption and private/public cloud integrations, improves service delivery's adaptability, streamlines resource consumption, and enables scale. 
• Pay-per-use pricing aligns costs with actual resource consumption, reducing unnecessary expenditures and enabling scaling without over- or under-provisioning.
• A platform-centric approach with robust third-party integrations fosters growth in complex IT environments by prioritizing openness and observability for seamless integrations and full visibility.

The IGEL App Portal now offers over 50 native applications. The new IGEL Ready Developer Program enables faster deployment and secure integration of partner solutions, expanding configuration options and the overall functionality accessible to end users. 

2. Security is The #1 Reason for Adopting Desktop Virtualization

Security remains top of mind for EUC tech developers and end users, driving the adoption of desktop virtualization to counter sophisticated threat actors. A proactive security posture—like continuous monitoring and advanced threat detection—is essential. Innovations such as AI/ML-driven automated compliance enforcement are at the forefront of safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring uniform security policy enforcement across all endpoints.

"The cloud-first approach taken by many organizations has resulted in a shift of endpoint workloads away from the endpoint and into VDI, DaaS, or SaaS infrastructure often accessed through secure browsers. This shift presents a unique opportunity to reassess the enterprise endpoint." — Klaus Oestermann, CEO, IGEL

Proactive Security with IGEL’s Preventative Security Model™

Security continues is top priority for IGEL, with an emphasis on zero-trust network architecture and proactive security models. IGEL debuted its Preventative Security Model™ as part of OS 12, a secure endpoint OS with reduced attack surface and hybrid management for complex enterprise environments. IGEL's model secures users and reduces IT costs and complexity by proactively preventing breaches rather than just responding to them, plus:

• Minimizes vulnerabilities by removing unnecessary software and agents, allowing only essential applications and services to run.
• Prevents unauthorized modifications with a Read-Only OS, protecting system integrity, and reducing malware infection risks.
• Implements cryptographic verification for system security from startup ensures that only trusted software runs at boot and prevents unauthorized code execution.

"Through IGEL's Preventative Security Model, IGEL OS reduces the endpoint attack surface by 95%, dramatically reduces endpoint purchasing and operational costs, and helps organizations meet sustainability and Zero-Trust goals. IGEL OS is the most secure and efficient endpoint OS for enterprises across all major vertical industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, and government." — Klaus Oestermann, CEO, IGEL

3. Consolidation is a Key Driver to Better User Experience and Security 

Delivering a seamless user experience remains a focal point in the industry, ensuring endpoints "just work," especially in high-demand environments like healthcare and financial services. There's a strong emphasis on supporting a wide range of devices and operating systems, including legacy and modern systems, to cater to diverse user needs. As organizations face the challenge of managing increasing endpoints and tools, consolidation offers a path to greater efficiency and reduced vulnerabilities.

Gabe Knuth on Virtualization, Consolidation and Security

"We seem to be in an era of consolidation, and that consolidation is brought about because we started with sprawl." — Gabe Knuth, Senior Analyst, ESG 

Gabe Knuth, a Senior Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, addressed the increasing complexity of endpoint management and security, driven by the proliferation of devices and disparate management tools. Knuth emphasized that advancements in virtualization and cloud services, while enhancing efficiency and scalability, necessitate a strategic overhaul of endpoint management practices.

Knuth emphasized the need for IT consolidation to manage the increasing number of devices and tools effectively. By integrating different systems into a unified framework, organizations can simplify the management of multiple endpoints, reduce potential vulnerabilities, and improve operational efficiency through a unified IT and user management approach.

Key Trends Presented by Gabe Knuth's Research

• 93% of organizations currently use some form of desktop or application virtualization, and this usage is expected to grow sevenfold by 2026. 
• Despite the rise of SaaS, desktop and application virtualization are growing: 93% of organizations utilize these technologies to support legacy Windows applications and improve security.
• Windows remains the predominant endpoint for accessing virtual desktops and applications, with 97% of enterprises using at least one Windows application in their workflows. 

Knuth's analysis suggests that the growth of cloud-based models is not just a response to changing technological landscapes but also a strategic adaptation to broader shifts in work patterns, economic considerations, and the global emphasis on cybersecurity. Daas and PCaaS services align with the move towards more agile and secure IT operations and support the evolving needs of modern workforces, making them increasingly relevant in today’s digital economy.

4. Women in Technology Panel: Diversity Driving Innovation

The Women in Technology panel emphasizes diversity and inclusion as a current requirement and a long-term strategy that enhances innovation and market reach. This panel aligns with the broader societal push towards inclusivity, predicting that future tech advancements will increasingly reflect diverse inputs and perspectives.

“Developing AI tools and protocols that reflect a broad range of human experiences and needs helps prevent the perpetuation of existing biases and promotes equity in technology development.” — Maryam Alexandrian-Adams, Global Sales Leader, Nutanix

Key Discussions and Insights:

• Ethical AI and Inclusive Protocols: The panel emphasized the importance of developing AI and technological protocols that reflect a broad range of human experiences and needs. This approach helps prevent the perpetuation of existing biases and promotes equity in technology development.
• Benefits of a Diverse Workforce: Discussions underscored the tangible benefits of diversity, such as enhanced creativity, better decision-making, and a greater capacity to address diverse market needs. The panelists argued that organizations that mirror the diversity of their customer base are better positioned to thrive.

The conversation made it clear that diversity and inclusion need to be strategic priorities integrated into organizations' core policies. These initiatives are not just ethical imperatives but strategic imperatives that enhance operational effectiveness and drive industry innovation.

5. Ecosystem Partnerships Move the Needle for EUC Ecosystem Innovation

The expansion of the IGEL ecosystem exemplifies the power of partnerships in driving innovation. The IGEL App Portal, which now features over 50 native applications, is a testament to this collaborative approach. The IGEL Ready Developer Program further accelerates the deployment and integration of partner solutions, enabling organizations to customize their endpoint environments to meet specific needs. This program enhances functionality and ensures that security and performance standards are upheld.

Impact of Tricerat’s Partnership on the IGEL Ecosystem

Tricerat’s partnership with IGEL significantly enhances the capabilities of the IGEL community, offering streamlined and efficient endpoint management solutions. By integrating ScrewDrivers software with IGEL OS, Tricerat removes the complexities associated with traditional print drivers, simplifying IT administration and reducing costs. This integration boosts productivity and scalability, providing a robust solution for organizations grappling with outdated print infrastructure.

Including Tricerat’s solutions in the IGEL App Portal ensures these tools are readily accessible, making it easier for organizations to enhance their IT environments. The partnership exemplifies the collaborative effort needed to drive innovation within the EUC market. It addresses current challenges and positions the IGEL community to meet future demands with adaptable, secure, and user-friendly solutions. This collaboration enhances the overall functionality of the EUC ecosystem, ensuring that enterprises can achieve their strategic goals efficiently and sustainably.

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