Build an End-User Computing Strategy
Deliver business applications and enable end users without breaking the bank.
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Contributors
- Gina Anderson, Supervisor, IT Customer Support, City of Arlington
- Bill Clair, Principal Director, Applications & Customer Services, Aerospace Corporation
- Thomas Saueressig, Chief Information Officer, SAP SE
- Kirk Schell, Senior Vice President, Commercial Client Solutions, Dell
- Kaitlin Shinkle, Director of Corporate Communications and Product Marketing, Jamf
- Nick Thompson, Product Marketing Manager, Jamf
- Terry Walker, Senior Technology and Training Specialist, Morrison Hershfield
Your Challenge
- Squaring the circle is a challenge faced by every IT department. With
the consumerization of IT driving end-user preference for variety in endpoint
devices, the end-user computing manager is caught between a rock and a hard
place.
- The variety of devices and provisioning models available is daunting. How can EUC most effectively enable access to key applications?
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- The end-user computing manager’s job is to provide access to applications. Be an advocate, but application choices belong to the business.
- Take an application-first approach. Persona analyses are useful, but difficult to conduct at scale.
- Endpoint devices are the primary conduit through which end users form opinions about IT. If you want a positive impression (you do), an effective EUC strategy is a must.
Impact and Result
- Use this blueprint to develop an empirically grounded list of device/OS combinations that align with your organization’s application needs and more effectively streamline your end-user computing offerings.
- Determine which device deployment model makes the most sense based on your organization’s broad priorities, and align it to your device/OS package.
- Evaluate the applicability of desktop virtualization as an end-user computing solution based on your capabilities and current state.
- Develop initiatives relating to your end-user computing strategy and plot them on a roadmap.
Start here – read the Executive Brief
Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should build an end-user computing strategy, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.
1. Select device/OS combinations
Use Info-Tech’s unique methodology to determine which device/OS combinations your organization should be servicing.
2. Understand and match corporate priorities
Leverage Info-Tech’s End-User Computing Strategy Tool to determine which of the following three areas your organization is focused on: cost containment, risk mitigation, or productivity.
3. Select a device deployment model and evaluate VDI
Select a deployment model (e.g. BYOD) that makes sense for you, and evaluate desktop virtualization for your organization.
4. Finalize your end-user computing strategy
Summarize the results of your end-user computing initiative in the End-User Computing Strategy Document.
Guided Implementations
This guided implementation is a four call advisory process.
Guided Implementation #1 - Select device/OS combinations
Call #1 - Discuss the applications end-user computing is responsible for delivering; produce device/OS buckets.
Guided Implementation #2 - Understand and match corporate priorities
Call #1 - Develop a list of corporate priorities.
Guided Implementation #3 - Select a device deployment model and evaluate VDI
Call #1 - Discuss and select a deployment model based on your corporate priorities; evaluate VDI’s usefulness for your organization.
Guided Implementation #4 - Finalize your end-user computing strategy
Call #1 - Outline the requirements for effective implementation and management of applications; populate the end-user computing strategy document.
Book Your Workshop
Onsite workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
Module 1: Select Device/OS Combinations
The Purpose
- Reduce the number of device/OS combinations in order to maximize efficiency.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Fewer device/OS combinations simplifies administration, makes work easier, and can save money.
Activities
Outputs
Collate a current app list.
- Inventory of business applications
Collate a future app list.
- List of prospective applications
Create a list of device/OS buckets.
- Comprehensive list of supported device/OS combinations
Module 2: Understand and Match Corporate Priorities
The Purpose
- Determine what your organization’s goals are in order to develop an end-user computing strategy that reflects those goals.
Key Benefits Achieved
- An end-user computing strategy that reflects corporate goals is one that will satisfy the business.
Activities
Outputs
Brainstorm corporate priorities.
- Corporate priorities
Interpret the results of the corporate priorities questionnaire.
- Radar diagram relating corporate priorities
Develop a list of key performance indicator metrics.
- Key performance indicator metrics
Module 3: Select a Deployment Framework; Evaluate Desktop Virtualization
The Purpose
- Decide which deployment models (BYOD, COPE, etc.) make the most sense for your organization; rule out (or embrace!) desktop virtualization.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Deployment models matter. Pick one that is going to align with your corporate priorities and create value for your organization.
Activities
Outputs
Conduct a SWOT analysis for each deployment model.
- SWOT analysis of deployment frameworks
Map your corporate priorities to a deployment model.
- Prioritized list of supported device/OS combinations
Select a deployment model.
Evaluate VDI’s suitability as part of your end-user computing strategy.
- Evaluation of VDI as an enabler
Module 4: Finalize End-User Computing Strategy
The Purpose
- Produce a document that summarizes the result of the Build Your End-User Computing Strategy workshop.
Key Benefits Achieved
- A simple, easy-to-read document highlights what has been done, and what needs to be done. It is accessible to those outside of IT and will, therefore, serve as an important communication tool.
Activities
Outputs
Populate the End-User Computing Strategy Document
- End-User Computing Strategy Document
Develop a strategy to maintain and update your application suite.
