Post on 13-Dec-2014
description
Google Chromebook for the Enterprise: Yeah or Meh?
Dan Shappir
CTO at Ericom Software
@DanShappir
blog: ericomguy.blogspot.com
Six-time BriForum speaker
Agenda
Answering these questions:1. Why are we having this discussion?2. What are Chromebook, Chromebox and Chrome OS?3. What can and can’t a Chromebook do?4. How do you manage Chromebooks?5. How to access Windows Desktops and Apps?6. Is it appropriate for your Enterprise?
Google Savings CalculatorPC Chromebook
Purchase price $61,500 $24,900
Hardware maintenance $12,300 $9,000
IT Software & Infrastructure $58,500 $15,000
Management and administrative overhead
$343,500 $21,900
End-user Costs $145,500 $36,400
3 year total cost of ownership
$621,300 $107,200
For 100 devices:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/business/devices/#tco=100
Chromebook Benefits (Per Google)
● Low cost, CAPEX and OPEXo Starts at $179
● Boots in seconds● Easy to use● Integrated with Google Apps● Sharable● Battery lasts entire workday / school-day
What’s a Chromebook?
Personal Computer running Chrome OS ... designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet, with most applications and data residing "in the Cloud" ... A Chromebook is an example of a thin client
- Wikipedia
Chromebook Facts
● Chromebook, not ChromeBook● Chromebox is a Chromebook in Thin Client
form-factor● Very successful in Education● I want a Chromebook Pixel, but won’t pay
$1,449 for it
Google Ecosystem Integration
● Login using Google+ credentials● Chrome browser sync● Manage using Google Apps Console● Best platform for Google Docs
o Including offline
● Apps from Chrome Web Store● Google Drive bundle
Chrome OS
● Linux based● Open source (Chromium OS) + additional
firmware features (verified boot, etc.)o Must be official Chrome OS to be Managed
● Driven by Google● “Aura” window manager● Google Cloud Print
Chrome OS Desktop
Chromebook Keyboard
Chrome OS Application Types
1. Web apps2. Chrome Web Store apps3. Future: Android apps
Web Apps on Chrome OS
● Google Chrome is world’s leading browser● Leading in HTML5 support
o Offlineo WebGL (3D)o Location-based serviceso Audio / video input / outputo WebRTC (“like Skype”)o Voice input / outputo Much, much more
● Supports Flash & PDF, but not Java or Silverlight
Chrome Web Store Apps
● Purchased & installed from Chrome Web Store● Package containing “web resources” stored locally
o Offline firsto Self updating
● Permission-based access to extended serviceso Run outside browser windowo TCP / UDP socketso USB / Bluetooth / serial, clipboard, …
● Native Client (NaCl) - apps built with C++
Future: Android Apps
● Announced and demoed at Google I/O● Select apps by end of the year● Eventually most apps
Audio / Video Conferencing
● No Skypeo Until Android app support?
● Citrix Hutt: https://hu.tt/ and go!o Built with WebRTC
● Google Hangoutso Built with WebRTC + NaCl (this is new)o Integrated with Google+
Chromebook Limitations
● Potentially underpowered● Limitations on offline capabilities● Limited VPN options● Limited local storage size and capabilities● Office files challenges● Keyboard and touchpad issue
Purchasing a Chromebook
Chromebook & Chromebox Vendors
Screen Size
Screen Res
Processor & Speed
Memory
Storage
Battery
4G / LTE
Touch Screen
Weight
Price
Chromebox Models
Available Brand Model Processor RAM Price
2013-03 Samsung Series 3 XE300M22-B01US
Celeron B840 4 GB $479 ($329)
2013-02 Google Chromebox for Meetings (equipment bundle)
Intel Core i7 $999
2014-03 Asus Chromebox-400MU 1.4 GHz Celeron 2955U
2 or 4 GB $179 / $225
2014-05 Asus Chromebox-M075U Intel Core i3-4010U 2 or 4 GB $407
2014-06 HP HP Chromebox Intel Celeron 2955U/Core i7-4600U
2 or 8 GB ?
Chromebox For Meetings
● Video Conferencing System from Google● High-end Chromebox - Intel Core i7● HD 1080p camera● QWERTY keyboard on back of remote● 24/7 support● Works best with Google Apps for Business (duh!)● Starts at $999, management & support $250 after first year
Chromebooks vs. Tablets
● Keyboard + mouse vs. touch● On a surface vs. handheld● Also:
o Large screen tablets 2x the priceo But half the weighto Tablets generally have better resolutiono Tablets still better offlineo Chromebooks more manageable and less hackable
Chrome OS Management Principles
Web-based managementConfigure and manage key settings centrally
Customize from the cloudSpecify apps, themes, and extensions to install
Security built-inProvide multiple layers of protection including
sandboxing, data encryption, and verified boot
Forever freshChromebooks and apps update themselves;
new users sign into a fresh computer
Four Major Management Areas
● Proxy Access and URL Managemento For example: block websites
● Applications and Extensions● Security● Hardware
Apps
● Pre-install apps from Chrome Web Store● Preform bulk purchase● Create “private app store” by whitelisting /
blacklisting apps● Pin apps and extensions for easy access
Security
● Sandboxed browser http://dev.chromium.org/developers/design-documents/sandbox
● Safe browsing - via Google services● Verified boot● Screen lock and password policies● Global proxy settings● Restrict device use
Sync With Active Directory
Google Cloud Print
● Cloud based service● Associates printers with Google account● Print from anywhere● Cloud Ready printers● “Classic printers” via agent in local Chrome
browser
Chrome OS Settings
User Experience Settings
Track Shipping
Asset Tracking
Windows Desktops and Apps
● Remote access only● Many options, including all leading vendors
o Except Microsoft
● On premises and hosted● Pure HTML5 and Chrome Web Apps
Chrome Web Store Apps
● Google Chrome Remote Desktop - freeo Chrome/Chromebook to Chromeo Access Windows, Mac and Linux
● Ericom AccessToGo for Chrome (RDP) - freeo Blaze acceleration
● 2X Client for RDP - free● RealVNC Viewer for Chrome - free● Citrix Receiver for Chrome ?
HTML5 Remote Access
● Ericom AccessNow● VMware Horizon View Blast● Citrix Receiver for HTML5● Cybele ThinRDP● RemoteSpark Spark View● Stoneware webRDP● and more ...
Ultimate Mobile VDI Client?
● Windows form-factoro Except keyboard layout
● Easy online access● Low cost● Long-lasting battery● Centralized management● Local browsing / media playback
Points to Consider
● Target hostso VDI / RDSH / physicalo Windows / Mac / Linux
● Published desktops / published apps● Chromebook keyboard● Performance● Printing● Connection brokering● Secure remote access & SSL VPN compatibility
Chromebooks Yeah!
1. Bought into Google ecosystem2. Going web: Office 365, Salesforce.com, …3. Cost conscious - both CAPEX and OPEX4. Content producers5. Specific verticals, e.g. Education6. Mobile VDI client7. If / when Chromebox prices drop
Chromebooks Meh ...
1. On-premises / can’t use Cloud2. Totally Windows - unless mostly VDI / SBC3. Often offline4. Content consumer / mobilized5. Or high-end content producer6. Windows laptop / Surface can do everything
Chromebook can do ...
Summary
● Chromebook advancing at rapid pace● Google services becoming Enterprise
Ready, and Chromebooks are natural extension
● Benefits from advances in Web tech,and improving Net Access
● Improving management capabilities
Q&A