Ruben's EUC Industry Bento Box - February 2025

Inside the bento box, you will find various articles, blog posts, tools, white papers, videos, best practice guides, and more. Each entry includes a summary/description to help you maximize your learning with minimal reading! So, whether you're an EUC geek, a seasoned professional, or just starting in IT, we’re sure the Bento Box has something for everyone. Let’s unwrap this month’s Bento Box and celebrate another year of innovation together!

Industry News & Insights

‍1. From CIO Strategies to GenAI Agents: Must-Read AI Articles

Suppose you're curious about how AI is reshaping the role of CIOs. In that case, The Cloudcast explains in their podcast ‘What would an AI-First CIO do’ what an AI-first approach looks like, from smarter decision-making to rethinking IT operations. Understanding this shift is key for anyone looking to stay ahead in IT leadership. Meanwhile, Massed Compute breaks down how Virtual Desktop Interfaces (VDI and DaaS) are making AI development more flexible and collaborative, helping (development) teams scale up without the usual headaches—crucial if you're involved in AI (development) projects or managing remote teams. And suppose you're into the nuts and bolts of AI agents. In that case, Marius Sandbu offers a solid overview of GenAI agents such as Microsoft CoPilot Studio, AWS BedRock, Google AgentSpace, and more. This is a must-read exploring how autonomous agents can streamline complex tasks. Finally, two small LinkedIn posts from Mike Kaput about using AI as a speaker coach and writer coach.  

2. Citrix buys ThinClient OS vendor ‘Unicon’ and closes CTP program

Citrix has officially acquired Unicon, a Germany-based provider of lean OS and management tools for virtual desktop endpoints, as announced in their blog post and covered by CRN. IMHO, this acquisition aligns with Citrix's strategy to focus on their ~3000 enterprise customers and drive revenue by offering a single, higher-priced SKU with more features, now incorporating Unicon's eLux OS and Scout management tools. Unicon is already used in large Citrix deployments, similar to DeviceTrust, and is particularly valuable in sectors like finance and telecom, where deployments often exceed 100k seats. It strengthens Citrix's position with its large customers and locks them in even more. It also could shake up competitors like IGEL, Stratodesk, Rangee, 10Zig, ZeeTim, and others. It's an interesting time. Microsoft announced Windows 365 Link, and now Citrix has picked up Unicon—what’s next? Will IGEL or Stratodesk get acquired by Dell or Omnissa? 😊  

Citrix has officially ended the Citrix Technology Professional (CTP) and Citrix Technology Advocate (CTA) programs, as reported by The Register, marking a significant shift in its community focus. The CTP program was a key part of their EUC community, connecting experts to drive innovation and shape Citrix technologies. I’ve been a CTP for nearly a decade and saw firsthand the value it brought to the industry. It's disappointing but also not surprising to see it discontinued. While Citrix closed its community programs, the knowledge-sharing and relationships built over the years will continue in new, vendor-agnostic communities such as World of EUC – yay!

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3. Unlock the Power of DaaS on Hybrid Multicloud with Nutanix Cloud Clusters and Dizzion DaaS

Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) and Dizzion DaaS (Frame) offer a practical solution for deploying Desktop as a Service (DaaS) in hybrid multi-cloud environments. NC2 connects on-premises data centers with AWS and Azure, simplifying management and scaling, while Dizzion Frame provides secure, high-performance virtual desktops. This combination helps reduce costs, streamline IT operations, and support use cases like disaster recovery, hybrid workforce enablement, and mergers. Read more here.

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4. Between Iron Bars and Guardian Angels: 10 Personal Lessons from My Life-Changing “Freak Accident”

Maybe you missed the EUC BentoBox in January; the reason is simple. A few weeks ago, I was involved in a freak accident. My head was caught between the roof of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on a moving trailer and the iron bar of a gate, resulting in a 30 cm (12 in) cut on the left side of my head and a 6 cm (3 in) cut on my right ear. You might ask, “Uhh… ouch… wow… but how?!” That’s difficult to explain and would take more details (and photos), but it did happen. If you're curious about what happened and the miraculous coincidences and don’t mind some medical photos, you can read my full story here: https://scars.rspruijt.com. Writing it helped me process the accident, and I’m sharing it in case someone else finds value.  Along the way, I’ve reflected on 10 key lessons that might resonate with you or someone you know. I wrote an article 10 Personal Lessons from My Life-Changing “Freak Accident,” that you can read here.

5. The Hidden Threat: Stronger Browser Security and Easier Management

Recent security breaches have highlighted the growing risks associated with browser extensions in enterprise environments. A notable incident involved a phishing attack on Cyberhaven and other Chrome extension attacks, where attackers exploited the Chrome Web Store API to upload malicious extensions that exfiltrated sensitive data from users. This attack wasn’t isolated—over two dozen extensions were compromised, affecting millions of users. These events emphasize why browser security is critical for organizations today. As Ishan Girdhar points out, browser extensions enhance productivity and introduce significant vulnerabilities due to excessive permissions, outdated code, and lack of user awareness. There are different types of solutions available. Secure Enterprise browser solutions like Island.io, Prisma, Google Chrome Enterprise Premium, SURF, and Acium.io. Some of these Secure Enterprise browser solutions see VDI and DaaS as competitive; while there is some overlap in customer use cases, 90% are completely different. Combining browser-based DaaS solutions, such as Dizzion DaaS (Frame), with Secure Enterprise local browsers makes a lot of sense, delivering Web, Linux, and Windows applications all from a securely managed browser. If you want to know more about the whole EUC Landscape, including Secure Enterprise Browsers, check the EUC Hexagrid infographic and whitepaper.

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Bonus: Cell Phone Usage Stats 2025: Americans Check Their Phones 205 Times a Day

According to a recent survey by Reviews.org, the average American checks their phone 205 times a day—almost once every five minutes. While 43% of respondents admit to feeling addicted to their phones, this self-reported addiction rate is down 24% from the previous year. Despite this, phone use continues to dominate daily life: 80% of Americans check their phones within 10 minutes of waking up, and nearly 40% experience anxiety when their battery drops below 20%. Although some habits, like phone use during meals, have improved, behaviors like using phones during movies have surged by over 50%, reflecting shifting patterns in digital engagement. In response to these growing concerns about smartphones and specifically Social Media addiction, several countries have introduced bans or restrictions targeting younger populations.

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For the Geeks!

This section of the EUC Bento box is written for the geeks, nerds, IT Professionals, and overall technology enthusiasts.

1. Mastering new skills and staying ahead in Technology  

Staying energized and current with technology skills and certification requires a focused approach to learning. Marius Sandbu outlines practical strategies for mastering new skills in his blog post. He emphasizes finding learning methods that work best for the individual—favoring reading blogs and hands-on experimentation over traditional eLearning videos or audiobooks. Blogging, for Marius, is not just a way to share knowledge but also to deepen his understanding of complex topics. He also recommends tools like RSS aggregators (e.g., Feedly) and Perplexity AI to streamline information gathering and to-do lists to track topics for further study. His approach prioritizes active learning and efficient information management to stay ahead in technology.

For me, staying up to date means daily reading from platforms like X, BlueSky, and LinkedIn, engaging in community and vendor Slack groups, and attending in-person events. I also prioritize 1:1 conversation with peers and tune into a variety of podcasts—often during travel or workouts—to keep learning on the go.

2. What Happens When an Azure Region Is Destroyed?

In his latest blog post, Aidan Finn tackles a critical question many organizations overlook: What happens if an entire Azure region is destroyed? While cloud providers like Microsoft Azure offer high availability and redundancy features, these are typically designed to handle localized failures—not the total loss of a region due to natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, or large-scale cyberattacks. Many businesses assume Azure handles full-scale disaster recovery automatically, but cross-region replication and failover require explicit configuration and additional costs. Finn delves into Azure’s resilience features, such as Availability Sets, Availability Zones, and Paired Regions, highlighting their capabilities and limitations. He emphasizes that businesses risk significant data loss and downtime without proactive planning. Finn also offers practical strategies, from using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to considering third-party backup solutions urging organizations to take control of their disaster recovery plans before disaster strikes.

3. NVIDIA Free AI courses:

No payment is needed to sharpen your AI skills. NVIDIA offers 5 free, short AI training courses to help you stay ahead. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, these courses provide valuable insights consider taking these 5 short courses:  

• AI for All: From Basics to GenAI Practice
• Getting Started with AI
• Generative AI Explained
• Accelerate Data Science Workflows
• Building a Brain in 10 Minutes

4. Windows 11 Kiosk Mode – Deep Dive

Windows 11 Kiosk Mode is a powerful tool to lock down devices for single-purpose use—ideal for public kiosks, digital signage, or dedicated workstations. This 2-part deep dive from Jon Towles offers a step-by-step approach to mastering Kiosk Mode. Part 1 covers the fundamentals of setting up Assigned Access, showing you how to configure devices to run a single app, perfect for public-facing or restricted-use environments. You'll learn how to create a seamless, secure user experience with minimal administrative overhead. Part 2 dives into advanced configurations, including multi-app kiosk setups, custom shell environments, and group policy management. This section is perfect for IT pros looking to fine-tune their (Windows) kiosk deployments for more complex use cases. Whether you're deploying devices in retail, healthcare, education, or enterprise environments, this guide offers valuable insights to help you maximize security, improve user experience, and simplify device management. Colleague Stefan Gaijic wrote a great post about using Windows IoT and Frame for kiosk solutions.

5. Everything you missed at CES 2025 related to EUC (geek mode)

Here are some of the highlights from CES 2025 related to End User Computing:

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs: NVIDIA introduced the GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, powered by the new Blackwell architecture, offering significant advancements in AI-driven rendering and performance.

• Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Lenovo unveiled the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable laptop, featuring a rollable display that expands from 14 inches to 16.7 inches, providing additional vertical screen space for enhanced productivity.

• AMD Ryzen AI Max Processors: AMD announced the Ryzen AI Max processors, designed to bring advanced AI capabilities to consumer and commercial PCs, enhancing performance and efficiency for end users.

• Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) Processors: Intel introduced the Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, aimed at revolutionizing mobile computing with AI enhancements, increased efficiency, and performance improvements.

• Dell's AI-Enhanced Monitors: Dell introduced new computer monitors equipped with head-tracking audio technology, enhancing the immersive experience for gamers and professionals alike.

• NVIDIA Project DIGITS: NVIDIA unveiled Project DIGITS, a compact AI supercomputer designed for developers and AI enthusiasts, capable of handling up to 200-billion-parameter large language models locally without relying on cloud infrastructure.

Plus some overviews of the craziest CES 2025 announcements:

• TechRadar: "Nobody asked for this – the 7 weirdest gadgets we saw at CES 2025": A roundup of the most bizarre and unexpected tech gadgets that left attendees scratching their heads.

• The Verge: "The weirdest tech at CES 2025": A fun look at the oddest and most unconventional tech products unveiled at this year’s event.

Bonus Gift: "Just Do This" by  D.J. EshelMan.

Discover how IT professionals fast-track their careers by skipping years of trial and error. Get your free copy of Just Do THIS (Part 1 of 4) and learn the secrets the pros use to deliver exceptional IT services. Hint: It’s not about mastering new technology—there’s a smarter way. 👉 Download now and get ahead.

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

Want to take Frame for a spin? Try Now for instant access to Frame! If you are active in the EUC community with, e.g., Amazon, Citrix, Microsoft, Nutanix, or Omnissa, and you want to use Frame for 1 year for free. Just let me know so I can tell you more about the Dizzion DaaS (Frame) Community Program.