Google Makes a New Business corporation with ChromeOS

It has been nearly three years since Google announced that it would make Android available as an operating system for smartphones and tablets in 2011. Today, at this very moment we have the most widely used open source mobile OS on the planet – Ubuntu Linux LTS 4th September 2014 by Canonical Corporation. Now all you have to do is install what are pretty much free applications like Firefox, LibreOffice or Gmail before putting your device in line for use within 1-2 weeks of buying into its release cycle. 

While everyone knows how amazing these devices can be when they work properly, some people still don't feel ready yet so here'

Backed by a commissioned IDC study, Google this week is making the case that ChromeOS is an ideal solution for businesses of all kinds and sizes.

“Google commissioned IDC, a leading third-party research firm, to conduct a study on the business value of ChromeOS across a number of use cases, including kiosks and digital signage, contact centers, virtualization (VDI), and hybrid and remote work,” Google managing director Bryan Lee writes. “IDC’s research established that ChromeOS is a cost-effective, efficient, secure, and reliable operating system that delivers many benefits, from lower costs and higher return on investment (ROI) to a range of operational improvements.

According to the study, businesses that adopted ChromeOS and ChromeOS devices saw an average of 245 percent ROI, 44 percent lower cost of operations, and $3,901 total savings per device over three years. Furthermore, the study participants reported that ChromeOS is 63 percent faster to deploy than other operating systems used by study participants (presumably Windows and macOS). Looking specifically at hybrid and remote work—the area I’m most interested in—ChromeOS users were reportedly 14 percent more productive, while device deployment to these users was 57 percent faster.

Google is also highlighting some well-known ChromeOS advantages: ChromeOS devices boot up in as little as six seconds, install updates seamlessly in the background, and are quite secure, with 24 percent fewer security attacks than with other operating systems. The firm notes that there has never been a ransomware attack on ChromeOS devices, as well.

I’ve long felt that the simplicity of ChromeOS was a strength that would extend far beyond education, but I guess the issue for individuals coming from Windows or the Mac is replicating their workflows. The popularity and increased functionality of web apps in recent years certainly help, of course, as does the availability of Android apps on ChromeOS.

Anyone wanting to learn more about ChromeOS in business can sign-up for a Resilience starts with IT webinar that will debut on Thursday, March 9 at 12:00 PM CST. You can also find a snapshot of the IDC study here.