Traditional desktops have always been difficult to manage and secure. The client-server model of computing meant that the operating systems and applications that ran on these endpoints—the computers—had to be individually installed, patched, and upgraded. This was time-intensive, driving up operational expenses (OpEx) for enterprises of all sizes.
The advent of the mobile-cloud era has only served to spotlight the rigidity of this traditional model. With the introduction of mobile device management (MDM) solutions, businesses are able to effectively manage mobile endpoint devices—smartphones, tablets, and laptops—easily from a single console. Unfortunately, until now, MDM did not cover desktop computers. This effectively siloed management of desktop and mobile devices from each other.
The improvements that arrived with the introduction of Windows 10—already installed on 6.6 percent of all desktop PCs, according to —promise to address many of these challenges. It does so by borrowing from the innovation and progress we have seen within the mobile platform and applying it to the desktop environment.
For businesses seeking a better way to manage Windows desktops than the clunky traditional client-server method, Windows 10 is especially a godsend. In conjunction with VMware’s AirWatch Unified Endpoint Management, part of the (EMM) suite, Windows 10 enables IT to manage desktops the way they do tablets, smartphones, and other smart devices.
With the elimination of lines between mobile and desktop devices, IT organizations can now utilize a single model for managing all of their enterprise devices, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones.
One of the most important features introduced in Windows 10 is called the unified application experience. Previously, the operating system required separate distribution channels for native Windows and the new, cloud-based applications. Users needed to create multiple login identities and passwords for each application, which created chaos and confusion among users.
With Windows 10 and AirWatch, however, organizations can distribute all applications—including native Windows, universal, web, and remote apps—through a unified application catalog. Then, VMware Identity Manager gives single sign-on capabilities to users for all of their Windows 10 applications.
What’s more, this universal application catalog enabled by AirWatch EMM will also support the corporate-friendly Business Store Portal (BSP) to manage apps and licenses across both desktops and mobile devices.
Additionally, AirWatch Unified Endpoint Management also allows you to do the following for any device—fixed or mobile—from a central management console:
Another important capability that AirWatch delivers to Windows 10 users is advanced security and data protection. Businesses can apply data policies, specify privileged applications, assign per-application virtual private networks (VPNs), perform secure boots, and provide health attestations. Additionally, many of the policies associated with encryption, antivirus, firewalls, compliance, and enterprise wipe/factory resets can be implemented across all endpoints using AirWatch.
Perhaps best of all, from a Windows administrator’s perspective, there’s update management. The combination of AirWatch and Windows 10 allows businesses to dynamically apply updates—patches and fixes as well as features and applications—whenever desired, and stream them directly to all Windows 10-based systems. This should dramatically improve businesses’ overall security stances.
Ultimately, the best-in-class AirWatch EMM suite is poised to become the de facto management platform for all devices running Windows 10 from a central, unified console.
Discover more about EMM solutions from or click here to see VMware’s Dave Grant and Mark Margevicius discuss .
Alice LaPlante has been writing about technology in national trade and business publications for more than 20 years.