Ruben's EUC Industry Bento Box - April 2024

Industry News & Insights

1. What the Hex is EUC?

   

   Over 12,000 individuals have already explored our EUC Hexagrid and accompanying whitepaper, gaining a comprehensive overview of the End-User Computing (EUC) ecosystem. The Hexagrid Infographic provides a visual outline, while the whitepaper delves into a thorough exploration of the EUC Hexagrid. Both resources offer a unique perspective of the EUC landscape that has not been seen before.

   The EUC Hexagrid is comprised of six main pillars and 26 sub-pillars, cataloging over 226 vendors! The extensive whitepaper also offers insights into the future with spatial computing, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI). It covers key EUC themes, their organizational benefits, the structure of the EUC Hexagrid, and the unique composition and advantages of the EUC ecosystem.

   Click here to grab your copy of the whitepaper and Hexagrid infographic and gain unparalleled insights into the EUC ecosystem!

2. Advancements in AI: Navigating NPUs, Microsoft Co-Pilot, and the Modern Workspace

   Recent developments have highlighted the synergy between artificial intelligence (AI) and the modern workspace. Intel's confirmation that Microsoft's Co-Pilot AI will soon operate directly on PCs has sparked discussions on the necessity of advanced neural processing units (NPUs) — specialized hardware designed for the efficient processing of neural network computations and AI tasks. The next generation of AI-driven PCs is expected to require at least 40 TOPS (tera operations per second) of NPU performance to handle these complex processes.

   Curious about NPUs? An NPU is a specialized hardware unit designed for efficiently processing the computations required for neural networks and artificial intelligence tasks. An NPU can significantly accelerate machine learning algorithms by working alongside the GPU and CPU, enhancing the performance and efficiency of AI applications in PCs, smartphones to servers. “NPU, the new AI chips explained” provides a deep dive into NPUs and their role in AI advancement.

   

   To understand the significant impact of AI on workspaces and the increasing value of NPUs, consider reading these insightful articles:

   • “Intel confirms Microsoft's Co-Pilot AI will soon run locally on PCs”
   • “Why Microsoft's Co-Pilot will only kind of run locally on AI PCs for now?”

   In addition to the in-depth discussions highlighted in these articles, for a broader overview of the technological landscape, explore “20+ AI Concepts Explained“ - a comprehensive guide to familiarizing yourself with key AI terms and ideas that are shaping our digital workspaces.

3. The Parisian Chronicles: Brian Madden's Story of Tech, Travel, and Transformation

   Brian Madden offers captivating insights into the intersection of technology, travel, and industry transformation in a conversation with Elias Khnaser. He presents thought-provoking perspectives on the cloud's evolution in the enterprise world, suggesting that industry giants like Citrix and VMware have not fully embraced cloud-native solutions. In contrast, he highlights a “new guard” of truly cloud-native service providers including Workspot, Inc, Sonet.io, Dizzion Frame, and Cameyo, who are shaping the future without the constraints of legacy systems.

   Watch the insightful conversation:

   Here are some additional industry developments to keep an eye on:

   As the digital landscape continues to shift, developments around key players draw attention. The 'Euro-cloud consortium' confronts Microsoft over licensing practices, posing an ultimatum for change. VMware faces scrutiny as alternatives to its virtualization offerings are explored. Citrix takes a strategic turn with its invitation-only 'Platform' license and faces claims of significant price hikes for partner licenses. These shifts signal intriguing times ahead for the industry.

   Stay informed with the latest discussions and analyses by following these links:

   • Euro-cloud Consortium vs. Microsoft
   • Alternatives to VMware Virtualization
   • Citrix's New Licensing Strategy
   • Citrix Partner License Pricing Claims

   Interesting times…

4. Insights from the 6th Annual Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index

   Nutanix's 2024 Enterprise Cloud Index reveals a significant shift toward the adoption of hybrid multi-cloud infrastructures as a standard for enterprises. This transition is fueled by the need for greater flexibility, enhanced data management, and robust security. Protection against ransomware remains a significant concern, with organizations planning to increase investments in safeguarding measures. In tandem with these security efforts, sustainability emerges as a key initiative, prompting companies to modernize IT frameworks to accommodate green practices. The report paints a picture of an enterprise landscape that is actively pursuing more secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible IT solutions.

   

   For more detailed insights, visit the Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index page.

5. Exploring Digital Employee Experience (DEX) with Industry Experts

   Gain insights into the growing importance of Digital Employee Experience (DEX) and its transformative impact on today's workplaces through an insightful interview with industry specialists Luke Irvine and Ruben (me) 😊. How is Digital Employee Experience defined, and why does clarity matter for acceptance and implementation?

   • Observations on the current focus: Are businesses increasingly prioritizing DEX in their operations, or are they allocating budgets towards other initiatives?
   • Strategies for Implementation: For organizations ready to embrace DEX, what strategic paths are recommended?
   • Key Features: What key features do you see as essential to those strategic paths?
   • Gaps and Opportunities: Where do current DEX strategies fall short, and what areas need more attention?
   • The Future of DEX: Is the widespread adoption of DEX strategies on the horizon, or will it remain a specialized focus?

   The article linked below is an essential read for those interested in the future of work and DEX's role in improving organizational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

   

   🎯Read the article

• Bonus:

  Click here for 10 great storytelling visuals and illustrations that will completely change your mindset about life.

  

For the Geeks!

1. OpenAI Speech-to-Speech Reasoning

   The rate at which AI is growing is crazy. Just watch this video:

2. Dizzion Frame and Developers, the saga

   Andrew Morgan initially expressed skepticism upon encountering the idea of developers utilizing virtual desktops as their primary environment. This skepticism extended to Ruben's demonstration, which involved running virtual machines within a virtual desktop. In an excerpt from his post, Andrew states:

   “Ruben's demo focused on running Virtual Machines within a virtual desktop caused me to scoff and ask, tongue in cheek: 'but what about containers, bro?'”

   Andrew set aside time to explore various .NET concepts, committing himself to develop a containerized architecture and web application. By leveraging .NET 8, Angular, and Docker, and utilizing modern tooling within a virtual desktop hosted in Azure, his goal was to assess whether this setup could offer an engaging and efficient development experience.

   

   Discover the comprehensive technical details, findings, and conclusions in Andrew's full article on LinkedIn. I'm positive the outcome of the developer use-case with VMs and containers will surprise you.

3. FRP8 and the Future of DaaS: A Leap Forward with WebRTC Technology

   The “remoting protocol wars” are far from over in the eyes of this industry observer. Contrasts in design, functionality, and the experiences of users and administrators continue to distinguish the offerings from Amazon, Microsoft, Citrix, VMware/Broadcom, and Dizzion Frame. This article dives into those nuances, shedding light on the capabilities of Frame Remoting Protocol 8, including a demonstration of the user experience running Autodesk Software over a 2Mbps, 210ms RTT, 1% packet loss Virtual Desktop scenario. The full article can be found in the link above.

   

4. ControlUp Community Radio Episode #3 Welcomes E2EVC Founder, Alex Cooper

   

   Join us for the third installment of ControlUp Community Radio, where host Douglas Brown sits down with Alex Cooper, the founder of the celebrated Experts 2 Experts Virtualization Conference (E2EVC). Known for fostering a collaborative space where the brightest minds in End-User Computing (EUC) convene, E2EVC has been pivotal in driving community engagement and knowledge sharing across the industry. In this episode, Alex delves into the inception, evolution, and the community-building spirit of E2EVC. Discover the intricacies behind organizing a leading EUC event, from curating speakers to shaping themes and celebrating achievements. Tune in for an insightful exploration of E2EVC's legacy and Alex's influence in the EUC realm. Don't miss this chance to gain an insider's perspective — listen now!

5. Is Performance Always Guaranteed on an Azure VM?

   This article from Leee Jeffries of GO-EUC presents a thorough investigation into the reliability of performance in Azure VMs, crucial for End-User Computing (EUC) and Desktop as a Service (DaaS) environments. His article examines the variations among VM SKUs and their influence on EUC workloads. Employing specialized testing methods and custom benchmarks, Jeffries offers a data-driven analysis of Azure's performance stability under various conditions. Dive into the comprehensive results and conclusions in the complete article.

• Bonus:

  A standout session begins with a crystal-clear abstract. Ensure your title grabs attention, your problem statement resonates, and every detail from spelling to product names is spot-on. Structure your abstract to guide attendees through the problem, context, and takeaways, setting the stage for an impactful presentation.

  For step-by-step guidance, check out Tracy van der Schyff's infographic on abstract perfection. Plus, catch NVIDIA's CEO in action during the 2024 Keynote for a masterclass in audience engagement.

  

Thanks for reading; if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with me!

Want to take Frame on a free 12-hour test drive? Click here! If you are active in the EUC community with e.g., Amazon, Citrix, Microsoft, Nutanix, or VMware, and you want to use Frame for 1 year for free. Just let me know so I can tell you more about the Frame Community Program.

Ruben Spruijt
Field CTO, Dizzion
ruben.spruijt@dizzion.com
@rspruijt