Google has announced the launch of Chrome Enterprise, a subscription service which aims to help organisations looking to roll out the search giant’s devices – and potentially help Google better infiltrate the enterprise market.
The service, which costs $50 per device per year, has a variety of features, including single sign-on support, support for Google Play and Android apps on Chromebooks, as well as integration with on-prem management systems and infrastructure via Microsoft Active Directory.
“We’ve been inspired by all the ways we’ve seen businesses embrace Chrome, from Chromebooks in the office, to shared Chrome devices in the field, to signage and kiosks for customer engagement in retail,” wrote David Karam, product manager for Chrome Enterprise in a blog post. “But with so many different business needs – not to mention so many different devices – companies have also told us they want a single, cost-effective solution that gives them the flexibility and control to keep their employees connected.”
Another feature is integration with VMware, with the Palo Alto firm becoming the first unified endpoint management (UEM) provider with full Chrome device management capabilities through VMware Workspace ONE.
UEM was naturally mentioned by Karam, who argued the compatibility between the two products will enable organisations ‘to deliver device policies using customisable assignment of groups based on geography, device platform, department, role, and more’. The two companies have previously partnered, on hybrid cloud deployments as well as in previous integrations of Workspace ONE with Chrome OS.
As Phil Hochmuth, program director for enterprise mobility at IDC put it: “Simplifying the deployment and management of Chrome devices will only further incentivise IT leaders to allow end users to choose Chrome for their work needs.”
You can read the full announcement here.
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