Deep Thoughts from Douglas Brown and Community: What is the Future of EUC?

The Future of End-User Computing (EUC) Poll Analysis

Welcome to “Deep Thoughts from Douglas Brown and Community.”  This is the first of many analyses of the IT-related polls I will do on LinkedIn. We can learn a lot from each other. There are many topics to discuss, and your views and feedback are priceless to all of us. That said, here is my analysis for the “What is the future of EUC?” poll conducted recently.

Anytime I get around a bunch of old EUC folks, the question always comes up: What is the future of EUC?  A few weeks ago, I attended VMware Explore in the USA and had many conversations about this subject: where are we, and what is the future of this thing we call EUC?

I created a simple poll on LinkedIn to ask, “What is the future of EUC?” with the following four answers to choose from:

• Microsoft AVD or CloudPC
• Citrix Rises
• Is replaced by laptops/Intune.
• Other

Sadly, LinkedIn does limit a poll to only four answers. The lack of more options was often brought to my attention more than a few times in the comments. 😉

Over seven days, 12,046 people viewed the post. 419 answered, and a total of 50 comments were shared.  

That said, below is my analysis of the results. Please browse my LinkedIn post to read the full comments and leave a comment if you wish.

Poll Analysis

Question: “What is the future of EUC?”

Microsoft AVD or CloudPC = 44%

Receiving the highest percentage indicates that a substantial portion of respondents believe Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and CloudPC will be the pillars of EUC in the foreseeable future. This preference is understandable because of Microsoft’s commitment to expanding its cloud offerings and the broader global shift towards cloud-centric solutions. Historically, Microsoft’s deep integration capabilities with existing enterprise solutions and their vast cloud infrastructure bolster the credibility of AVD and CloudPC as leading EUC solutions.

Citrix Rises = 19%

Citrix, being the company that kicked off the idea of ‘remoting’ and its rich history in the EUC domain, especially with VDI and application delivery solutions, Citrix remains a force to reckon with. The 19% reflects an enduring trust and loyalty built up over the years and a desire for Citrix’s potential to evolve and cater to the dynamic demands of EUC. Historically, Citrix’s solutions have been staples in many enterprise environments, and this percentage can be viewed as a testament to Citrix’s long-standing reputation and potential to innovate or adapt in the EUC landscape.

Is replaced by laptops/Intune = 18%

This indicates a switch from conventional EUC towards a more Microsoft view of endpoint management. Microsoft’s Intune, a cloud service catering to enterprise mobility management, focuses on mobile device and application management. The rising percentage mirrors the changing dynamics of work, where remote operations, BYOD strategies, and mobile-first approaches are becoming the norm. The past decade has seen a shift to these modern management approaches, which provide flexibility and security, making them ideal for contemporary workforce setups and the growing work-from-anywhere attitude.

Other = 19%

Matching Citrix in percentage, this category is nebulous but crucial. It signifies that a noteworthy segment of respondents either envisions an alternate trajectory for EUC or is hesitant to pin down a specific path. Historically, the EUC domain has been marked by rapid technological shifts and the emergence of new players. This “Other” could represent lesser-known VDI solutions, innovative DaaS platforms, or nascent technologies and trends yet to make a mainstream impact.

COMMENTS ANALYSIS

1. Hybrid Models and Application Centricity: A prominent theme across contributors like Tom Howarth and Steve Horne revolved around a blend of AVD/CloudPC with personal device management tools like Intune. The importance of application delivery and consumption was evident, with David Butler-McAllister pushing for centralized operational management during multiple application formats.
2. Use Case-Driven Approaches: Contributors like Andrew Morgan and Jagz Sidhu accentuated the need to commence with the problem or use case, suggesting that solutions should be tailored to organizational requisites rather than being led by product offerings.
3. Hybrid Cloud and Multi-Platform Solutions: Comments from Bill Chappell and Maarten Caus insinuated a tilt towards hybrid models, amalgamating both cloud and local resources. This was reinforced by LeRoy Vanek’s perspective on a hybrid/multi-cloud future, emphasizing VMware Horizon’s potential role.
4. Future of Applications: The eventual gravitation towards web-based applications was a recurrent theme. Simon Binder and Lars Jonsson predicted platforms like Progressive Web Apps as the next significant shift in EUC.
5. Security and Data Protection: Data security emerged as a cornerstone, as highlighted by Bryan Zanoli. The idea was that many application delivery dilemmas would diminish if organizations guaranteed data protection. Underlying themes around Zero Trust and securing endpoints were prevalent.
6. Cost-Effectiveness and Vendor Options: Price points and vendor diversity were underscored by Guy Leech, suggesting solutions like Parallels RAS as cost-effective alternatives. Bjørn M. Riiber emphasized the significance of being user-centric and use case-specific rather than vendor-centric.
7. Whimsical Takes: A futuristic outlook was provided by Matt Gregor, painting a vivid picture of boundless possibilities in EUC’s future, humorously termed “Enterprise Unicorn Computing.”

Conclusion

In assessing the trajectory of End-User Computing (EUC), there’s a clear shift towards a hybrid model, integrating both on-premises and cloud-based, application-driven infrastructures. Cloud platforms, notably those from Microsoft, are gaining traction in the IT landscape. However, legacy stalwarts like Citrix remain pivotal. We must also account for application-specific deployments, robust data security protocols, and the pivot toward web-native applications. This underscores that more than a singular, standardized solution might be needed today.

From the gathered data and feedback, a multi-vendor strategy emerges as pivotal. The key considerations are end-user functionalities, cybersecurity robustness, and cost optimization. Proposed IT solutions must be tailored to cater to unique operational requirements, achieving a harmonized synergy between on-site resources and cloud offerings.

EUC is changing quickly. It’s evident that companies will need to be flexible and keep up with tech changes to achieve their goals.

The Next Poll

I want to turn the tables from EUC to security for my next poll. Security is prominent on any CIO’s wish list, often ranking as one of the top priorities. In today’s digital landscape, where data breaches and cyber threats are constant concerns, we all recognize that ensuring the security of an organization’s systems and data is essential. That said, please browse over to LinkedIn and take the following poll:

“What essential features are needed for IT Pros to proactively respond to security incidents effectively?”

I will share the analysis shortly after the poll closes. Thank you!