New solutions target mobile workforce: Citrix, OK Labs bring virtualization to mobile, Good acquires CloudSync

The realization that IT departments are going to have to support a wide range of devices as mobility spreads across the enterprise has led a couple of companies to try to find innovative ways to manage those devices, especially as business users bring their own devices into the workplace.
Citrix Systems Inc. and Open Kernel Labs have launched a reference design architecture called the “nirvana phone” that enables mobile workers to use their phone to access a virtual desktop. Meanwhile, Good Technology Inc. expanded its platform and devices lineup last week with its acquisition of Denver-based CloudSync, a device management company.
“Both business arrangements (Good/CloudSync and Citrix/OK Labs) point to a world of more, not less, enterprise mobility,” said Steve Hilton, research analyst, enterprise and small enterprise program, at Analysys Mason Ltd.
Citrix, which provides software as a service functionality to 99% of the world’s Fortune Global 500 companies, realized that it needed to extend its functionality beyond the desktop to mobile devices, said Chris Fleck, VP of community and solution development. As such, about a year ago Citrix invested in OK Labs, which provides virtualization software that can be embedded in mobile devices. OK Labs’ OKL4 software has already been embedded in more than 500 million handsets. The two companies are encouraging handset manufacturers to include the nirvana design in their devices, much the same way they now include Bluetooth functionality. Then, Citrix users would be able to turn their handsets into devices that can access a virtual desktop via the handset. Basically, the device connects to the Citrix server, which allows the worker to access their software on any laptop or PC. The companies think that road warriors and employees who work from several locations would be the targeted end users, among others.
When business travelers are on the road, they sometimes don’t want to carry a laptop, but they always travel with their phone. “But if you want to get any real work done, you need a laptop,” said Rob McCammon, VP product management, Open Kernel Labs. The nirvana reference architecture turns a smartphone into a thin client, so users can access the all of the business-centric applications they use on their desktop via the device.
“The nirvana phone concept goes beyond traditional smart phones by allowing users to access their corporate virtual desktop and applications from a single device, in any location,” according to the company. “With support for docking to full-sized displays, keyboards, mice and other PC-type peripherals, nirvana phones will offer mobile workers a complete ‘virtual desktop in your pocket,’ allowing them to take their desktop anywhere without the need to carry around a full laptop.”
Fleck said the company is not positioning its product against netbooks, smartbooks or Apple Inc.’s recently announced iPad, but wants to enable the next generation of handsets. “The more variable end points, the better.”
“The nirvana reference guide — if successful in finding enough support in the vendor community — will allow remote and mobile employees an added level of flexibility.” Analysys Mason’s Hilton noted. “Their mobile phone would provide them access to their laptop-based identity, applications and data; in essence allowing employees to leave the laptop at home and only travel with a smartphone device. It’s a cool idea, as long as an employee can find a terminal screen, keyboard and mouse wherever he or she might need one.”
Good teams with CloudSync
For its part, Good acquired CloudSync in part to increase the number of platforms Good supports, said John Herrema, CMO for Good. CloudSync supports all Microsoft Windows mobile devices, Windows laptops, and Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry devices, and combined with Good, will extend its support to iPhone, Android, Symbian, and Palm’s webOS devices in the coming months.
“With this acquisition, Good more fully addresses the increasing demand for cloud-based services to complement its best in class enterprise mobility offerings,” said Nigel Thompson, VP of cloud services at Good. Thompson formerly was the CEO of CloudSync.
CloudSync’s product line includes a device management console, a remote help desk application, Web-based access control, and the CloudLocate GPS-based location application, which gives IT managers a real-time view of all the mobile devices in a fleet, including their location.
“The acquisition of CloudSync increases Good’s footprint in the IT department with a managed mobility solution,” Hilton said. “As mobile devices — laptops, handhelds and tablets — increase in the enterprise, IT managers need a simple tool to manage the provisioning, updating/patching, security and remote-fix process. CloudSync helps fill-in some holes for Good.