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eWEEK has started a new IT products and services section that encompasses most of the categories that we cover on our site. In it, we will spotlight the leaders in each sector, which include enterprise software, hardware, security, on-premises-based systems and cloud services. We also will add promising new companies as they come into the market.
Today: IGEL (endpoint management software)
Company description: Founded by current global CEO Heiko Gloge in 2001 in Bremen, Germany, privately-held IGEL is a world leader in endpoint management software for the secure enterprise and the third-largest thin client provider in the U.S. In 2016 IGEL established its North American headquarters, headed by Jed Ayres, CMO and CEO, North America, in San Francisco.
IGEL enables enterprises to precisely control, with a single dashboard, all devices running IGEL OS as well as Windows OS from a single dashboard interface. IGEL’s goal is to save customers money in three ways:
- CapEx savings: IGEL enables the repurposing of legacy 64-bit x86 hardware to run IGEL OS;
- OpEx savings: IGEL enables IT to manage from hundreds to thousands of devices with an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface (similar to GPO management), with smart configurations and controls across the whole endpoint estate, even when there are very different requirements for individual and groups of devices; and
- Security savings: IGEL OS, based on Linux, offers a very small attack surface (1.2Gbytes versus 10+ Gbytes for Windows 10), Secure Boot, a read-only file system and more; which significantly reduces the probability of an attack succeeding at the endpoint.
The company’s software products include the IGEL OS, Universal Desktop Converter, IGEL Cloud Gateway , IGEL UD Pocket and Universal Management Suite.
Additionally, IGEL’s German engineered and manufactured thin and all-in-one client solutions deliver a five-year warranty, support (three years after end of life) and management functionality. IGEL has offices worldwide and is represented by partners in more than 50 countries.
Markets: Enterprise, health care, banking and finance, retail, education and research, government services, insurance and legal, nonprofits, manufacturing and logistics, utilities.
International Operations: Global headquarters: Bremen, Germany.
- Research and development: Augsburg, Germany
- North American headquarters: San Francisco, Calif.
Additional offices in: Heverlee, Belgium; Breukelen, The Netherlands; Vänersborg, Sweden; Zurich, Switzerland; Reading, United Kingdom; Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Product and Services: IGEL’s endpoint management software is revolutionary in its simplicity and is purpose-built for the enterprise. IGEL’s world-leading products include the IGEL OS, the IGEL Universal Management Suite, IGEL OS-powered thin clients and all-in-one thin client solutions.
Software:
IGEL OS: IGEL OS revolutionizes access to virtualized desktops and applications. Currently in its 6th generation, this time-tested operating system standardizes your endpoints, provides for adaptive configuration and granular control, while giving users a familiar, trouble free workspace.
IGEL Universal Management Suite: IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS) is a single management solution for decentralized endpoints. Purpose-built to simplify complex enterprise environments, UMS supports diverse operating systems, databases and directories.
IGEL UD Pocket portable universal desktop thin client: IGEL UD Pocket is the ultimate portable thin client for evolving workspace environments. No larger than a few paper clips, UD Pocket provides the flexibility to boot from IGEL Universal Desktop or the local operating system on a PC, laptop or any compatible x86, 64-bit CPU based endpoint device.
Thin clients (hardware):
IGEL UD2: The IGEL UD2 thin client is an affordable, space- and energy-saving hardware series that sets a high standard for entry-level devices. These compact devices offer high-level performance, including for basic multimedia applications. Four USB ports and two digital monitor connections ensure a wide range of desktop usage options, including Dualview. For additional space savings, the UD2 can be VESA mounted on the back of the monitor.
IGEL UD3: The IGEL UD3 thin client is IGEL’s all-round series that is aimed at multimediaknowledge workers. The IGEL UD3 series is optimized for Skype for Business requirements and meets all upcoming requests for unified communications.
IGEL UD6 Universal Thin Client: This is IGEL’s most powerful hardware series. Because of its fast quad-core processor and flexible expansion capability, the UD6 is the device of choice for demanding use scenarios, such as video playback in full HD, computer-aided design (CAD) or 3D.
IGEL UD7: This unit is designed for the user who needs multiple high-quality displays, application performance and unified communications. The UD7 delivers up to four displays through DisplayPort (2x in 4K resolution) at 60 Hz.
IGEL UD9: Integrated into a 21.5-inch widescreen display, the UD9 provides numerous interfaces and integrated features such as touchscreen, WLAN or a smartcard reader. The compact all-in-one thin client supports a wide range of applications and due to its quad-core processor it allows high-performance access to all major central computing infrastructures.
Insight and Analysis:
Pro: The interface of the IGEL, Linux version, is divided into the Setup and Application Launcher sections and offers well-structured menus with a wealth of options. They include the obligatory ICA and RDP protocols, as well as support for the Horizon and vWorkspace clients for Leostream and the NX and 2X clients and SAP sessions for the PowerTerm and IBM iSeries terminals.
Java Web Services or the Linux ThinLinc remote desktop server also can be supported. A built-in browser is provided, of course, along with a VoIP client that transforms the thin client into a phone.
IGEL Linux also provides detailed hardware information and configuration options for locally attached peripherals, such as storage or printers with tools similar to those found in the desktop environments of popular distributions. Diagnostic tools are available for troubleshooting network problems. On the hardware side, the device from IGEL impresses with an integrated smart card reader that allows any user to log in securely, quickly, and conveniently via two-factor authentication.
In addition to a DVI-I port, the current model also has a purely digital DVI-D port, so you can run two monitors at the same time in a dual-view configuration. An optional special foot contains a serial interface and can accommodate wireless technology.
Most thin client vendors provide centralized management tools with which large numbers of their clients can be updated and configured centrally. In the case of IGEL, this tool is called the Universal Management Suite, and you can use the suite to manage this versatile device, too. –Admin-Magazine
Con: Thin clients in general are specialized types of centrally connected desktop terminals that fit very well into some use cases (large central office setups) and not so well in others (distributed sales and service workers, remote locations, etc.). While IGEL is making big strides toward loosening the ties to strictly desktop deployments, that’s where the company’s strength and history lies; its strength isn’t in mobile applications just yet, although that’s where much of its development investment is going. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of success IGEL has as more new-generation users come into te market in the next 12 to 24 months.
List of current customers: Fulton Financial, Lockton Companies, Magnolia Regional Health Center, Bend Memorial Clinic, Foursquare Healthcare, Whitney Bailey Cox & Magnani, SCL Healthcare, Ayrshire College, Crisis at Christmas, Hoppe
Delivery: IGEL’s “simple, smart and secure” focus helps the channel and their customers succeed in delivering VDI, Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), and hosted desktop solutions.
Pricing: For information, go here or telephone: 1-845-589-5900.
Other key players in this market: Dell Wyse, HP Inc., Lenovo, Chromebook, LG Electronics
Contact information for potential customers:
Website: www.igel.com
Website contact information: https://www.igel.com/contact-form/
Phone: 1-845-589-5900
Resources:
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