Application Marketplace 

In a podcast I recorded recently I spoke with Ben Ward, the field CTO from Liquit, part of the Recast Software group, about application delivery into business environments. 

We live in an age of convenience, where we can access thousands of applications on our personal devices with just a few taps or clicks. Whether we want to watch a movie, order food, play a game, or learn a new skill, there is an app for that, and we expect the same level of ease and choice when it comes to our work environment. We want to be able to use the applications that suit our needs and preferences, without having to wait for IT approval, installation, or configuration. 

But delivering applications to the workforce is not as simple as it sounds. IT teams must deal with a multitude of challenges, such as managing different types of applications (web, native, SaaS, etc.), supporting various operating systems and devices, ensuring compatibility and security, and keeping up with updates and patches. These tasks can consume a lot of time and resources, and sometimes even require dedicated departments to handle them. Moreover, unpatched applications can pose a serious risk to the organisation, as they can be exploited by hackers to gain access to the corporate network and data. There are enough examples of this already, and with the power and capability of AI we can expect more automated probes and attacks. 

How can IT teams overcome these challenges and provide a seamless and secure application delivery experience to the users? How can they simplify the management and maintenance of applications, while ensuring compliance and governance? How can they enable users to access any application they need, from any device, at any time, without compromising performance or quality?  

Optimising the Application Delivery Experience 

One of the ways is by using tools like Microsoft Intune. Intune is a cloud-based service that allows IT teams to manage and deliver applications to any device, from desktops to mobile phones, without requiring complex infrastructure or VPN connections. Intune also helps IT teams to ensure compliance and governance, by applying policies and settings to the devices and applications, such as encryption, password, update, and app protection policies. Moreover, Intune integrates with other Microsoft services, like Azure Active Directory, Office 365, and Microsoft Endpoint Manager, to provide a unified and consistent management platform for the IT environment. 

However, while tools like Intune can deliver applications and maybe cover 80% of feature requests, it may not be enough to offer a true marketplace-like experience that empowers and enables users. Users today expect more than just access to applications; they want to have choice, flexibility, and convenience in how they consume and use them. They want to be able to browse, select, install, and uninstall applications easily and quickly, without having to go through tedious, laborious, or difficult processes. They want to have control over their own IT environment, without compromising the security or performance of the organisation. And they want to have a personalised and engaging experience that suits their needs and preferences. 

This is where IT teams need to look to fill the 20% gap and provide a value-added service that goes beyond application delivery. They need to create a digital workplace that offers a true marketplace-like experience for the users, where they can find, request, and access any application they need, from any device, at any time, without IT intervention. They need to enable users to self-service their IT needs, by providing them with a user-friendly portal or app store, where they can discover and download applications, as well as manage their subscriptions, licenses, and updates. They need to empower users to personalise their IT environment, by allowing them to customise their applications, settings, and preferences, as well as giving them feedback and support options. They also need to engage users with a compelling and interactive experience that motivates and inspires them to use the applications effectively and productively. 

Employee Expectations in 2024 

According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index, which surveyed over 30,000 people in 31 countries, the worth-it equation for employees is not just about the tech or salary anymore, but also about the overall experience of working, including how they can consume and pivot in their IT environment. The report found that employees who have more flexible and personalised IT experiences are more likely to feel productive, engaged, and happy at work, as well as more likely to stay with their organisation. Therefore, by providing a marketplace-like experience, IT teams can also contribute to the retention and attraction of talent, as well as the growth and innovation of the organisation. 

One example of how marketplace-like application delivery can benefit the organisation is by reducing the internal IT costs for application delivery and management. By enabling users to self-service their IT needs, IT teams can reduce the time and resources spent on provisioning, deploying, updating, and maintaining applications. They can also automate and streamline the processes of license management, compliance, and security, by using tools like Intune to monitor and enforce policies and standards across devices and applications. This can lower the operational costs and risks associated with application delivery and management, as well as free up IT staff to focus on more strategic and value-added tasks. 

Another example is by reducing the service desk interactions and increasing the user satisfaction. By providing users with a user-friendly portal or app store, IT teams can eliminate the need for users to submit tickets, wait for approvals, or contact the service desk for application requests or issues. Users can simply find and access the applications they need, when they need them, without any hassle or delay. They can also manage their own subscriptions, licenses, and updates, as well as get feedback and support options, without relying on IT intervention. This can improve the user experience and satisfaction, as well as reduce the workload and pressure on the service desk. 

A third example is by providing clarity to the business of their application landscape. By offering a marketplace-like experience, IT teams can increase the visibility and transparency of the applications available, used, and needed by the users and the organisation. They can track and analyse the usage, performance, and feedback of the applications, as well as the costs, benefits, and risks associated with them. They can also identify and eliminate any redundant, obsolete, or unused applications, as well as optimise and align the application portfolio with the business goals and strategy. This can enhance the decision-making and planning process of the business, as well as the agility and innovation of the organisation. 

Challenges in Application Delivery 

A new challenge that organisations face today is the transition to Windows 11 and the ARM architecture from Qualcomm. Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, which offers a redesigned user interface, enhanced security features, and improved performance and compatibility. However, not all devices and applications are ready for Windows 11, and organisations need to assess their readiness and plan their migration accordingly. Similarly, the ARM architecture utilised by Qualcomm, with the Snapdragon X processor offers low power consumption, high performance, and long battery life for devices. However, not all applications are compatible with the ARM architecture, and organisations need to test and optimise their applications for this platform. Therefore, organisations need to have a clear view of their application landscape and the requirements and implications of Windows 11 and the ARM architecture. They also need to have the tools and solutions to enable seamless and secure application delivery and management across different platforms and devices. CDW can help you with this challenge, by providing you with the expertise, services, and products to ensure your applications are ready for Windows 11 and the ARM architecture.