Stop Using RDP for Remote Access

In today’s ever-changing hybrid and remote working environments, it’s often necessary for users to connect back to their company-issued desktop PC sitting on their desk. This might be due to a custom security configuration, specialized software, or restricted access to sensitive data. Regardless of the need, a popular way of establishing this connection is through a remote desktop connection utilizing the Microsoft standard protocol of Remote Desktop Protocol or RDP.

But a recent joint warning from the FBI, along with the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) indicate that attacks against this popular connection method are on the rise, getting more sophisticated, and seeing some breaks in the connection encryption.

Source: https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/17/fbi_cisa_bianlian_advisory/

So what other options exist? Luckily, there is a large list of options available from different vendors, but which is best and more importantly, which provides the best security and performance for users? Here is a comparison chart of some of a few of the most popular options:

One of the challenges with all remote desktop solutions is maintaining high levels of security without compromising user experience. These are some of the common security concerns when providing users with remote access to desktops:

Authentication and Access Control: Ensuring proper authentication mechanisms and access control is crucial to prevent unauthorized access to remote desktops. Weak passwords or inadequate authentication protocols can pose security risks.

Data Encryption: Remote desktop solutions should employ strong encryption methods to protect data transmitted between the local and remote systems. Without proper encryption, sensitive information can be intercepted and compromised.

Endpoint Security: The security of the local device accessing the remote desktop is vital. If the local device is infected with malware or compromised, it can potentially compromise the security of the remote desktop environment as well.

Network Security: Remote desktop connections often rely on network infrastructure that may be susceptible to security breaches. Employing secure network protocols and implementing appropriate network security measures, such as firewalls and VPNs, is crucial to protect against unauthorized access or data interception.

Auditing and Monitoring: It is important to have mechanisms in place to monitor and log remote access sessions. This helps in detecting any suspicious activity, identifying potential security breaches, and ensuring compliance with security policies.

Third-Party Security: When using remote desktop solutions, it’s essential to consider the security practices and track record of the solution providers. Ensure that they follow industry best practices, regularly release security updates, and have a robust vulnerability management process.

Session Hijacking: Remote desktop sessions can be vulnerable to session hijacking attacks, where an attacker takes control of an active session. Implementing techniques like session encryption, session timeouts, and regularly rotating session IDs can mitigate the risk of session hijacking.

Data Leakage: Remote desktop solutions may allow file transfer between local and remote systems. Ensuring proper controls and policies are in place to prevent unauthorized or accidental data leakage is important to protect sensitive information.

In today’s digital age, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) has become a popular solution for businesses seeking enhanced flexibility, centralized management, and improved security. When considering VDI options, two main approaches emerge: multi-user virtual desktops and dedicated virtual desktops. Each has its unique strengths and considerations. In this blog post, we will compare these two approaches to help you make an informed decision about which solution is best suited for your business needs.

Multi-User Virtual Desktops:

Multi-user virtual desktops, also known as session hosts or shared desktops, are designed to allow multiple users to share a single server operating system instance. These virtual desktops enable multiple users to simultaneously access applications and data from a centralized server infrastructure. Here are some key advantages and considerations of multi-user virtual desktops:

Advantages:

• Cost-effective: Multi-user virtual desktops can significantly reduce hardware and licensing costs compared to dedicated virtual desktops, as resources are shared among multiple users.
• Efficient resource utilization: By leveraging shared resources, multi-user virtual desktops optimize server infrastructure and reduce the overall hardware footprint.
• Easy management: With a single instance to manage, updates, patches, and application installations are streamlined, reducing administrative overhead.
• Scalability: Multi-user virtual desktops can easily accommodate a growing number of users by adding additional session hosts or increasing server resources.

Considerations:

• Limited customization: Shared desktop environments restrict individual user customization options due to the shared nature of resources.
• Performance impact: Heavy resource utilization by one user can potentially impact the performance of other users sharing the same server.
• Application compatibility: Some applications may not be compatible with multi-user environments, requiring additional testing and configuration.

Introduction:

In today’s cloud computing landscape, Azure and AWS are two major players offering a wide range of virtual machine (VM) options to meet various workload requirements. When it comes to selecting the right VM instance or optimizing disk input/output (I/O) performance, understanding the specifications and capabilities of each provider becomes crucial.

Workloads in the cloud can vary significantly, and different applications have distinct resource requirements. When considering virtual machine specifications and disk I/O options, it’s important to align them with the specific needs of your workload. For example, GPU-intensive tasks such as machine learning or video rendering may benefit from instances with high-performance GPUs like NVIDIA Tesla V100 or T4. On the other hand, workloads that demand fast storage access or require low latency might require premium SSDs with higher IOPS and throughput. Understanding your workload’s characteristics and performance demands is crucial in selecting the appropriate VM instance and disk type to ensure optimal performance and cost efficiency.

In this blog post, we will compare the GPU options for instances with 4 vCPUs and 16 GB RAM, as well as the disk I/O specifications for virtual disks ranging from 250 GB to 1 TB in size. These specifications represent a good average across multiple workload profiles found in enterprise today. Cost comparisons are for Windows-based VMs running in the US-East region for both AWS and Azure, and are the straight hourly cost with no reservation or education discounts.

Virtual Machine Specifications:

Table: Comparison of GPU options for instances with 4 vCPUs and 16 GB RAM

*This is not an exhaustive list. Readers should confirm specs and current pricing from published documentation by Microsoft and Amazon.

Disk I/O Specifications:

Table: Comparison of disk I/O specifications for virtual disks

*This is not an exhaustive list. Readers should confirm specs and current pricing from published documentation by Microsoft and Amazon.

*This is not an exhaustive list. Readers should confirm specs and current pricing from published documentation by Microsoft and Amazon.

Citrix is a software company that specializes in digital workspace and cloud computing solutions. Founded in 1989, the company has a global presence and is headquartered in Florida, USA.

Citrix is most recognized for its flagship products Virtual Apps and Desktops, formerly known as XenApp and XenDesktop. It is a virtualization solution that enables businesses to deliver virtual applications and desktops to their employees from a centralized location. This allows users to access their workspaces from any device, anywhere in the world while maintaining a high level of security and control.

Virtual Apps and Desktops are priced based on a subscription model, which includes a base license fee and an additional fee per user.

The base license fee includes the software license and basic support and maintenance services, such as software updates and patches. The additional fee per user is based on the number of concurrent users accessing the virtual desktops and applications.

Citrix offers different editions of Virtual Apps and Desktops, each with varying features and capabilities, and the pricing may vary depending on the edition, deployment option, and level of support required. The following is a general pricing structure for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops:

• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Standard: This is the basic edition that provides application and desktop virtualization. The pricing starts at $12 per user per month.
• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced: This edition includes additional features such as remote PC access and virtual GPU support. The pricing starts at $21 per user per month.
• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Premium: This edition includes advanced security features, such as secure browser and content collaboration, along with all the features of the Advanced edition. The pricing starts at $31 per user per month.

Citrix versus Azure Virtual Desktops

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft made a big splash in the market with their Azure Virtual Desktops product, formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktops. This offering quickly became an alternative to Citrix and other legacy on-premise solutions.

Comparing Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops with Azure Virtual Desktops depends on several factors, such as deployment options, features, pricing, and support. Here’s an overview of both solutions to help you understand the differences between the two:

Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops:

Deployment Options: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment. Citrix provides its own cloud infrastructure called Citrix Cloud, but the solution can also be deployed on other cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform.

Features: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops provide a wide range of features such as application delivery, virtual desktops, secure remote access, and user management. It also offers advanced security features like secure browser and content collaboration.

Pricing: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops pricing starts at $12 per user per month for the Standard edition and goes up to $31 per user per month for the Premium edition.

Azure Virtual Desktop:

Deployment Options: Azure Virtual Desktop is a cloud-only solution that runs on the Microsoft Azure platform. It allows users to access virtual desktops and applications from anywhere in the world.

Features: Azure Virtual Desktop provides features such as virtual desktops, remote applications, and remote access. It also integrates with other Microsoft tools like Microsoft 365 and Power Platform.

Pricing: Azure Virtual Desktop pricing is based on the consumption of resources such as compute, storage, and network. The pricing can vary depending on the region, deployment options, and the level of support required.

Overall, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops offer more deployment options and features than Azure Virtual Desktop. However, Azure Virtual Desktop has the advantage of being a cloud-only solution and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft tools. When it comes to pricing, it can vary depending on the deployment options and level of support required for each solution.

Cloud desktops, or Desktops-as-a-Service (DaaS), refers to a cloud computing model where virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is delivered to end-users over the internet. In this service, the desktop operating system, applications, and data reside on a remote server or cloud platform, and users access their virtual desktops using various devices, such as laptops, desktop computers, or thin clients, through an internet connection. DaaS allows for centralized management, easy scalability, and remote accessibility, enabling businesses to provide a consistent desktop experience to their employees while reducing the need for on-premises infrastructure and enhancing flexibility.

This type of platform is exactly what today’s MSPs are trying to grow into so they can continue to build their MRR from customers.  However, there is a very high TCO with a DIY approach to cloud desktops or DaaS. Some of the expertise needed to be successful with DIY DaaS include:

• Networking
• Security
• Storage
• Data Protection
• Endpoint Protection
• DR/BC
• Customer Support
• And, more

This level of effort means hiring one or more experienced cloud engineers who can build, manage, monitor, and support the platform once sold to customers. The TCO for this can be astronomical and can place an MSP at risk for shrinking margins.

The DaaS market was estimated to be valued at around $4 billion in 2020, and it was projected to reach $10 billion by 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 25%. The increasing demand for flexible and scalable IT infrastructure, the rise of remote and mobile workforces, and the need for cost-effective and secure desktop solutions were driving the adoption of DaaS.

Current Projection:  https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/desktop-as-a-service-daas-market-analysis-featuring-key-players-applications-and-projected-forecasts-2035-2023-05-31

MSPs looking to capitalize on the growth in the DaaS market without the risk or high TCO should consider partnering with Apporto.

The Most Critical Market Trends in Higher Education – Part 2

In Part 1, we examined the first two critical trends affecting the higher education market. Those being: Digital Equity and BYOD Support. In this article, we’ll look at the remaining three trends facing IT leaders.

Rethink, Repurpose, and Reclaim

First up is the desire to rethink, repurpose, and reclaim space across campus. This can be to create collaborative learning spaces or to convert back to instruction spaces, or something different altogether. High on the list for most campuses are to reimagine the “old and dusty” computer labs. Moving the delivery of these workstations to something more flexible enables campuses to reclaim the valuable real estate they so desperately seek. But how?

One solution to this problem is shifting to on-premise VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure), however, this is a very expensive and complex initiative. Most schools will spend close to $1mil in investment and 6 months to a year of planning and execution.

A better option is to move those physical labs to the cloud. Here, there are two distinct approaches: Do-it-yourself (DIY) or a managed service, like Apporto. While the DIY option probably feels like the cheaper option, that’s not always the case. There are many horror stories in the news where a newly appointed cloud admin got a configuration wrong and campus data became publicly available, as well as concerns and reports over excessive monthly bills. I recently spoke to a school that let faculty members create and manage their own cloud desktops. Unfortunately, they had one faculty build a massive research desktop and then forget to power it off over the holiday break. Administrators were shocked when faced with a $50,000 cost overrun just for the month of December!

This points to choosing a managed service provider for the school’s cloud computing needs, but not all managed service offerings are created equal. Oftentimes, the provider does not want to be responsible for customer mistakes and therefore will lock and prevent access to the school’s own environment. This creates a bit of a hostage situation where the customer is now beholden to the time, availability, and charges for the managed service provider to complete basic tasks. (We do things differently at Apporto.)

This leads us to our fourth market trend: Cloud First.

Does every workload belong in the cloud? Many colleges and universities are coming to the conclusion that no, in fact, they don’t. What we’re starting to see more of is a Cloud Smart approach where IT leaders are looking closely at the benefits and costs of moving specific workloads to the cloud.

One cloud model that is certainly outpacing all others is that of SaaS or software-as-a-service. We’re seeing this model adopted across all sectors of higher education, from enrollment systems to finance, from learning management systems to even some academic software titles. SaaS is probably the easiest way to move systems to the cloud – think Netflix – and is how we built our offering at Apporto.

Technology Comparison: DaaS versus Application Virtualization

There is a long history in higher education of trying to solve the challenge of delivering the right academic software title to the right student at the right time. Different solutions take different approaches.

For example, SCCM and Intune focus on the physical image and management of the physical desktop fleet. Another approach is to utilize an app layering technology such as MSI/MSIX, Turbo.net, or Cloudpaging. A third approach is to simply virtualize the whole desktop, apps, and all, using VMware or Citrix.

Each of these methods has both advantages and disadvantages, as well as dramatically different costs. And now we also have cloud-hosted solutions to consider further expanding our list of choices. In this article, we’ll focus on the benefits and challenges of a cloud-hosted desktops-as-a-service (DaaS) solution, like Apporto, and compare those to the world of black art known as application virtualization.

DaaS

First, what is desktops-as-a-service? Desktops as a service (DaaS) is a cloud-based delivery model for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) that enables organizations to provide virtual desktops to end-users from a remote data center or cloud provider.

In a DaaS environment, the desktop operating system, applications, and data are hosted in the cloud and delivered over the internet to a user’s device. This means that end-users can access their desktop environment from any device with an internet connection, without the need for a traditional desktop computer or local installation of software.

DaaS can provide several benefits for organizations, including:

• Scalability: DaaS enables organizations to scale their virtual desktop infrastructure up or down to meet changing demand, without the need for significant upfront investment in hardware or infrastructure.
• Flexibility: With DaaS, end-users can access their desktop environment from any device with an internet connection, making it easier to support a mobile or remote workforce.
• Simplified management: By moving desktop infrastructure to the cloud, organizations can simplify management and reduce the burden of maintenance and updates.
• Improved security: DaaS can help to improve security by centralizing desktop infrastructure in a secure data center or cloud provider, reducing the risk of data breaches or other security threats.

However, it’s worth noting that DaaS may not be suitable for all organizations or use cases. Factors such as network latency, bandwidth, and application performance can impact the user experience in a DaaS environment, and some organizations may have specific compliance or regulatory requirements that cannot be met through a cloud-based solution.

Application Virtualization

Now let’s review application virtualization. Application virtualization is a technology that allows applications to be delivered and executed on a user’s computer without being installed on the local operating system. Instead, the application runs in a virtual environment, isolated from the underlying operating system and other applications.

There are several benefits to application virtualization, including:

• Simplified application management: With application virtualization, applications can be centrally managed and delivered to end-users on demand, without the need for manual installation or maintenance.
• Improved compatibility: By isolating applications from the underlying operating system, application virtualization can help to overcome compatibility issues with other software and hardware.
• Enhanced security: Application virtualization can help to improve security by isolating applications and their associated data from other applications and the underlying operating system, reducing the risk of malware or other security threats.
• Flexibility: With application virtualization, applications can be delivered to a wide range of devices and operating systems, making it easier to support a diverse user base.

There are some pitfalls and challenges with application virtualization, though, as we’ll see.

So, how do these two very different technologies compare and contrast? There are two main criteria that should be considered. The first relates to the effort involved to build, maintain, and manage the system. The second is around where the horsepower needed to run the application actually comes from.

Best Ways to Achieve 100% Endpoint Compliance

IT professionals understand that securing their internal systems and data starts with securing the endpoints that their various user groups utilize for daily tasks. But with a shift in the landscape to a more mobile, hybrid, and remote workforce, how best to accomplish the target of 100% compliance on endpoints?

There has been a clear progression of management systems over time from System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to desktops-as-a-service (DaaS). Each has benefits and drawbacks, so let’s dig in.

SCCM

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a comprehensive management tool designed to help administrators deploy, manage, and monitor devices and applications in an enterprise environment. It provides a centralized platform for IT professionals to automate various tasks related to software deployment, patch management, operating system deployment, and system updates.

Key Features and Functions:

Software Deployment: SCCM enables administrators to efficiently deploy software applications across multiple devices within an organization. It supports automated software installation, remote installation, and deployment targeting based on user or device-specific criteria.

Patch Management: SCCM helps administrators keep the software and operating systems on devices up to date by managing and deploying patches and updates. It allows for patching both Microsoft and third-party applications, ensuring security and stability across the network.

Operating System Deployment: SCCM facilitates the automated deployment of operating systems to new or existing devices. Administrators can create standardized OS images, customize configurations, and remotely install the OS on multiple devices simultaneously.

Inventory and Asset Management: SCCM provides comprehensive inventory and asset management capabilities, allowing administrators to track and manage hardware and software assets across the organization. It collects detailed information about devices, software installations, and hardware configurations.

Endpoint Protection: SCCM integrates with Microsoft Defender Antivirus to provide endpoint protection features. Administrators can centrally manage antivirus policies, monitor protection status, and respond to security threats.

Reporting and Monitoring: SCCM offers reporting and monitoring tools to gather insights into device and application health, compliance, and usage. It provides real-time monitoring and generates reports that help administrators make informed decisions.

Challenges and Drawbacks:

While SCCM does a great job with most devices, there are a few areas that can be challenging and potentially block the achievement of 100% compliance.

Complexity: SCCM is a feature-rich and highly configurable tool, which can lead to complexity in its implementation and management. Setting up SCCM requires careful planning, expertise, and familiarity with its various components and configurations.

Learning Curve: Due to its complexity, SCCM has a steep learning curve for administrators who are new to the tool. Acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize SCCM may take time and training.

Infrastructure Requirements: SCCM relies on a robust infrastructure to operate efficiently. It requires dedicated server resources, such as database servers, distribution points, and management points. Organizations need to allocate the necessary hardware, network bandwidth, and storage capacity to support SCCM effectively.

Scalability and Performance: Large-scale deployments or managing a vast number of devices can strain the performance of SCCM infrastructure. Ensuring scalability and optimal performance may require careful monitoring, tuning, and additional hardware resources.

Software Compatibility: SCCM primarily focuses on managing Microsoft-based systems and applications. While it supports third-party software deployments, ensuring compatibility and smooth integration with all applications can be challenging. Some third-party applications may require additional customization or workarounds for effective management.

Overhead and Maintenance: SCCM requires regular maintenance tasks, such as software updates, database maintenance, and distribution point management. These activities may require dedicated resources and can consume time and effort.

Add to the above, the robust knowledge of internal device driver management across many manufacturers and models that is required. And, finally, in the new remote work landscape, SCCM only works with devices it can connect to.  Offline or unreachable devices will not receive critical updates and patches.

As illustrated above, the total cost of ownership using SCCM is fairly reasonable but the effort required to achieve 100% endpoint compliance is high.

VDI

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a technology that enables the delivery of desktop environments to end-users from a centralized server or cloud infrastructure. Instead of running applications and storing data on individual physical devices, VDI allows users to access a virtual desktop from any device with an internet connection.

Benefits of VDI:

Centralized Desktop Management: VDI centralizes desktop management, allowing administrators to deploy, configure, and update desktop environments from a single location. This simplifies IT tasks, reduces maintenance efforts, and ensures consistent configurations across all virtual desktops.

Remote Access and Mobility: VDI provides remote access to desktops, enabling users to access their virtual desktops and applications from anywhere, using various devices like laptops, tablets, or thin clients. This enhances productivity and facilitates mobile and remote work scenarios.

Improved Security: With VDI, sensitive data remains stored in the data center or cloud infrastructure, rather than on individual devices. This helps reduce the risk of data loss or theft from lost or stolen devices. Centralized security policies and controls can be implemented to protect virtual desktops and data.

Hardware Utilization: VDI allows for better utilization of hardware resources. Multiple virtual desktops can run on a single physical server, reducing the overall hardware requirements and energy consumption. This can result in cost savings and improved resource efficiency.

Streamlined Application Deployment: Applications can be installed and managed centrally in a VDI environment, reducing the complexities of application management across multiple endpoints. Administrators can easily update and deploy applications to all virtual desktops simultaneously, ensuring consistency and simplifying maintenance.

Enhanced Disaster Recovery: VDI environments can be backed up and replicated, making disaster recovery easier and more efficient. In case of hardware failures or other disruptions, users can quickly switch to alternative virtual desktops without significant downtime.

User Experience and Flexibility: VDI provides a consistent user experience across different devices, as users can access their personalized virtual desktop environment from any compatible endpoint. Users can easily switch devices without interrupting their work and have the flexibility to customize their virtual desktop to suit their preferences.

Challenges and drawbacks

The overall intent of VDI was to overcome the drawbacks of using an endpoint management tool like SCCM, however, there are some new challenges that must be taken into consideration.

Infrastructure Complexity: Implementing and managing a VDI infrastructure can be complex and resource-intensive. It requires robust server hardware, storage systems, and networking infrastructure to support the virtual desktops and ensure optimal performance. Organizations need to invest in the right infrastructure and have skilled IT personnel to handle the complexities.

Cost Considerations: VDI can involve significant upfront costs, including hardware, software licenses, virtualization technology, and storage infrastructure. Additionally, ongoing operational costs such as maintenance, upgrades, and support should be factored in. Organizations need to evaluate the total cost of ownership and determine if the benefits justify the investment.

Scalability and Performance: Scaling a VDI environment to accommodate a large number of users or handle peak workloads can be challenging. Ensuring adequate server resources, network bandwidth, and storage capacity are critical for maintaining performance and responsiveness. Organizations need to plan for scalability and regularly monitor and optimize the infrastructure.

User Experience: While VDI aims to provide a consistent user experience, factors like network connectivity, latency, and device capabilities can impact performance. In remote or low-bandwidth scenarios, users may experience lag or reduced functionality. Ensuring a satisfactory user experience across different devices and locations can require careful planning and optimization.

Application Compatibility: Certain applications may not be compatible with a virtualized environment or may require specific configurations. Graphics-intensive applications, legacy software, or applications with hardware dependencies can present challenges in VDI deployments. Compatibility testing and potential workarounds may be needed to ensure smooth application delivery.

Network Bandwidth Requirements: VDI heavily relies on network connectivity to deliver virtual desktops and transmit data between the server and endpoints. Bandwidth requirements can be significant, especially during peak usage times or when multimedia content is involved. Adequate network capacity and proper network design are crucial to prevent performance bottlenecks.

Data Security and Compliance: While VDI can enhance security by centralizing data and applications, it also introduces new security considerations. Securing the virtual desktop infrastructure, protecting data during transmission, and ensuring compliance with regulations require proper planning and implementation of security measures, including access controls, encryption, and monitoring.

While the benefit of centralized management and nearly immediate compliance with virtual desktops is appealing, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is a huge detractor for most companies.

Here we can see that achieving 100% compliance with VDI requires a fairly low effort, however, the total cost of ownership is probably the highest of all solutions.

The Most Critical Market Trends in Higher Education – Part 1

Through my IT career and now in my sales career, I’ve always been intrigued by which market forces organizations up against and how they are planning to respond. As a Solutions Architect, tracking market trends is part of my role as well as providing advice to customers and potential customers about shifts they could see coming, but also about new exciting technologies.

In this article we look back over the past 12-18 months and a bit into the future, to examine the most important trends facing leaders in higher ed today.

The first trend dates well beyond the 12-18 month timeframe and could go back years or decades: Digital Equity. This has different meanings to different stakeholders on a college or university campus, but can also be defined differently based on what technology is being discussed. In my world, it’s all about access to academic software and compute power. During and following the COVID-19 global pandemic that shut down campuses and businesses everywhere, a spotlight was shone on the need for digital equity.

In higher ed, there are three definitive points for defining digital equity:

1. Providing support to students using any device and enabling those students to access the software they need to complete their coursework.
2. Guaranteeing the same experience without the need for extra anything.
3. Achieving both numbers one and two without any additional financial burdens being passed on to the students.

Let’s dig a little deeper. Being able to support students on any device used to be fairly straightforward by offering physical computer labs. But students are demanding a variety of changes that are quickly making this model obsolete. First, they prefer to use their phones, tablets, and laptops, all of which come in a variety of makes, models, and operating systems. Second, they are looking for more social environments in which to study and learn. Third, they are expecting remote (ie. away from campus) options for learning and access to academic software.

“More than 84% of students believe having remote access to computer labs is important and could improve their performance…” 

Source: https://www.splashtop.com/press/splashtop-survey-finds-84-of-university-students-want-remote-access-to-computer-labs

Bring Your Own (BYO)

Another market trend that feeds directly into the digital equity trend is the support of Bring Your Own (BYO) devices. As mentioned above, these devices show up in a variety of form factors running a variety of operating systems. Given that the majority of academic software is still developed for Windows™, providing support to the entire sphere of BYOD gets difficult very quickly.

Arguably the factor causing the most grief to higher ed leaders is Chromebooks. More and more students are graduating from K-12 and primary schools where Chromebooks are widely distributed in an effort to provide digital equity.

“A new report from the market researchers at Canalys claims that Chromebook sales surged 275 percent in the first quarter of 2021, dramatically outpacing the PC industry.”

Source: https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/chrome-os/249863/report-chromebook-success-continues-into-2021

This sub-trend within the larger BYOD trend makes the entire effort toward digital equity in higher education extremely challenging. So what are the options to move forward?

If we meld these two market trends together (Digital Equity + BYOD Support) how does an institution go about guaranteeing the same experience to all students? Up until recently, there were only two choices: provide laptops to all students (1:1 programs) or implement on-premise VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure.) Both of these solutions represent a hefty budget increase to the school and both will require a lot of staff effort to get up and running successfully and over the long term.