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

DEMO

http://an.ericom.com

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