VMblog:  As a Citrix Synergy 2018 sponsor, give us the rundown of your booth setup this year.  What's your booth number? What level sponsorship do you have? How many people will you send? Where are you located?

Jed Ayres:  IGEL is a Platinum-level sponsor for Citrix Synergy 2018 and will be in Booth #202 showcasing our powerful software-defined endpoint management solutions. During the event, members of IGEL's Management Team including Heiko Gloge, IGEL's Founder and CEO; Jed Ayres, President and CEO, IGEL North America; Matthias Haas, IGEL's Chief Technology Officer; along with its sales and marketing team will be on-site to meet with customers and partners throughout the event. Visit www.igel.com/synergy for the latest information on IGEL-related Citrix Synergy activities.

Over the past three decades, IGEL has risen to become a world leader in endpoint management for the secure enterprise, delivering its innovative software via thin and zero clients and all-in-one thin client solutions. At our core, it is the software that has driven our success and that of our partners and customers. Revolutionary in simplicity and purpose-built for the enterprise, IGEL software solutions are more intuitive, secure and scalable than any other solution on the market.

Among IGEL's Citrix Ready® solutions being demonstrated during Citrix Synergy 2018 are the IGEL Universal Management SuiteTM (UMS), the IGEL Universal Desktop ConverterTM (UDC3), the recently introduced IGEL Cloud GatewayTM (ICG) and IGEL UD PocketTM micro client, winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in 2017 American Business Awards; and, its full line-up of IGEL OSTM-powered Universal DesktopTM (UD) thin and IZ SeriesTM zero clients and all-in-one thin client solutions.

We would also like to encourage attendees to join us for the IGEL Technical Bootcamp session on Monday, May 7 from 11am to 5pm, where you will have an opportunity to earn your IGEL Certified Engineer (ICE) status through this intensive, one-day training course. For more information or to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/igel-technical-boot-camp-at-citrix-synergy-tickets-43732167089

VMblog:  Is there anything interesting or unique about this year's booth setup compared to previous years or events?  Do you have a theme for this year's booth? 

Ayres:  In 2017, IGEL gave away two (2) Teslas. To cap that in 2018, IGEL is going to give away $120,000 and help IT Pros become IT Ballers by saving money, improving operations and increasing security. Throughout the year, there will be six opportunities to win $20,000 and the first winner will be chosen on Thursday, May 10 at Citrix Synergy. To enter the IT Baller sweepstakes, participants must complete a short survey www.igel.com/itballer-contest/ by entering the code VMBLOG.

Inside IGEL Booth #202, one of the most exciting attractions for attendees will be the opportunity to drive a "virtual" race car and compete for a chance to spend time in the IT Baller Money Machine. IGEL will be running the popular Forza Motorsport 7 racing video game to demo the powerful capabilities of IGEL's software-defined solutions. Taking turns behind the wheel, visitors to the booth will gather around and the "driver" with the highest score each day will get their turn in the IT Baller Money Machine. Citrix Synergy attendees can also enter their name to be drawn for a chance in the IT Baller Money Machine when they attend IGEL-sponsored happy hours, lunch & learns and parties, as well as Customer Advisory Council and Partner Advisory Council meetings held during the event.

One of the other interesting things that IGEL will be doing in its booth at Citrix Synergy 2018 is demonstrating the capabilities of the Lakeside Software SysTrack® Virtual Channel for IGEL OS. Designed to augment visibility into IGEL OS-powered endpoints, SysTrack leverages a virtual channel to provide IT organizations with a robust set of workspace analytics that gathers endpoint metrics such as CPU performance, system memory, disk usage, peripheral devices, network connectivity and latency directly from the enterprise's IGEL-powered endpoints. Next, SysTrack directly ties the collected data to the endpoint's active Citrix VDI sessions and presents IT organizations with telemetry they can then use to monitor, analyze and optimize their IGEL and end-user computing (EUC) environments.

In the real world, with SysTrack Virtual Channel for IGEL, IT can now precisely pinpoint where key applications such as Skype for Business and GoToMeeting or other Unified Communications applications are experiencing bottlenecks and performance degradation both now and historically.  With this information, it is much easier for IT to deliver a high quality of service for applications that have traditionally been the bane of VDI's existence, without just having to throw more resources e.g. network, CPU, memory at the problems.

Recently, IGEL became the first thin client manufacturer to achieve Secure Boot validation. During Citrix Synergy, visitors to the IGEL booth will have an opportunity to learn how enterprises leveraging the IGEL UDC3 and IGEL UD Pocket to convert existing x86-based PCs, laptops, tablets and third-party thin clients into IGEL OS-powered endpoints now benefit from enhanced security capabilities including malware protection.

In the real world - you can literally plug in a UD Pocket to Aunt Mathilda's PC, boot to USB and presto! you have a totally secure thin client to work from. NO DATA is stored on the local machine, only in the cloud, and it's secure!  Plus, you pull the USB key out and the machine reverts to whatever it was originally, no one even knows you've been there!

VMblog:  What message should an attendee take back with them to their boss after visiting your booth? How can they internally sell your technology?

Ayres:  One of the most important things that attendees will learn from IGEL at Citrix Synergy 2018 is how to harness the power of our software-defined endpoint management solutions to deliver a simple, smart and secure end-user computing experience. Key initiatives for IT enterprises during 2018 in which IGEL has the ability to be a significant enabler are:

• Securing the endpoint with "Secure Boot" so you know the BIOS has not been hacked
• Migrating to Windows 10 without the need to upgrade CPU and/or RAM
• Cloud onboarding made easy

VMblog:  Why should a Synergy attendee add you to their MUST SEE list? 

Ayres:  Among the top reasons why attendees should visit IGEL in Booth #202 at Citrix Synergy are: 

1)  To learn why a software-defined endpoint management strategy is of key importance to enterprise security, IoT, cloud and mobility initiatives.

2)  To grab a UD Pocket, so that you can go back to the office and show your boss how easy the migration to Windows 10 and VDI could be with IGEL on the endpoint.

3)  To see the Lakeside Software SysTrack Virtual Channel for IGEL in action, pinpointing just why Skype for Business or GoToMeeting is slow, and how to fix the problem.

4)  To enter for a chance to win $20,000 and become an IT Baller! 

VMblog:  Is this your first Synergy event as a sponsor? If not, how many times have you sponsored before?  And what keeps you coming back for more?  Or what brings you back this year?

Ayres:  We've been attending and sponsoring this event for many years. What brings us back each year is the strong alliances we have with Citrix and its ecosystem partners.

VMblog:  What do you like most about sponsoring Citrix Synergy?  Or why is this a must sponsor event for your company?

Ayres:  For many years now, IGEL Technology has maintained very strong ties with Citrix and is an integral part of the Citrix ecosystem. Our participation in Citrix Synergy provides us the opportunity to build greater awareness for IGEL. It is a "must-sponsor" event for us because each year we are able to reconnect with many of our channel partners and customers, and always walk away with a great list of new prospects for the coming year.

VMblog:  Can you give VMblog readers a sneak peek as to what you will be showing off at your booth this year? 

Ayres:  During Citrix Synergy 2018, be demonstrating our full line-up of including the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS), the IGEL Universal Desktop Converter (UDC3), the recently introduced IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG) and IGEL UD Pocket micro client, winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in 2017 American Business Awards; and, its line-up of IGEL OS-powered Universal DesktopTM (UD) thin and IZ SeriesTM zero clients and all-in-one thin client solutions.

As mentioned previously, one of the most exciting attractions for attendees will be the opportunity to drive a "virtual" race car and compete a chance to spend time in the IT Baller Money Machine. IGEL will be running the popular Forza Motorsport 7 racing video game to demo the powerful capabilities of IGEL's software-defined solutions.

We'll also be demonstrating the capabilities of the IGEL Thin Client assessment tool, powered by Lakeside Software SysTrack® Workspace Analytics.

Visit www.igel.com/synergy for the latest information on IGEL-related Citrix Synergy activities.

VMblog:  Give readers a few reasons why your product or service is considered unique.  

• Only IGEL has a solution for ANY 64-bit x86 endpoint:
  • Thin and zero client devices
  • All-in-One thin client devices - we partner with Samsung
  • IGEL OS on a stick - plug it in to convert any PC into an IGEL-powered endpoint
  • PC Converter software (UDC3) - install it to convert any PC into an IGEL-powered endpoint
• Only IGEL offers endpoint management with more than 7,000 control settings and more than 100 templates to help IT improve productivity and speed time to value.
• Only IGEL offers a secure OS with a custom partitioning (ask us why that is important at the show!)
• Only IGEL UMS enables enterprises to remotely control all of their endpoints from a single dashboard interface.
• Only IGEL UDC3 and UD Pocket devices have Secure Boot validation, offering yet another layer of endpoint security that protects against malware and other cyber threats.

VMblog:  How does your company and product fit within the Citrix ecosystem? 

Ayres:  IGEL is committed to helping IT organizations operating Citrix-based virtualized infrastructure environments increase efficiencies, reduce costs, and enhance the security of their deployments. Two examples of this are the IGEL UDC3 and IGEL UD Pocket. 

Designed to provide businesses of all sizes with a lower-cost alternative to traditional desktop hardware, the IGEL UDC3 can dramatically reduce desktop replacement costs, eliminating the need to invest in new hardware to support Citrix virtualized infrastructures. Converting PCs, laptops and thin clients from other manufacturers into IGEL OS-powered endpoints also enables IT organizations to securely administer all of their endpoint devices from a centralized management console. 

Built to provide on-demand access to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments, the IGEL UD Pocket offers IT organizations with remote or mobile workforces a flexible and cost-effective out-of-the-box micro thin client solution that is designed to improve the security of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) initiatives. The IGEL UD Pocket enables simple and secure access to the user's IGEL OS-powered desktop, via a USB-bootable device, without overwriting the local operating system (OS). 

In the real world, IGEL was able to help one customer defer an investment of more than $4 million by upgrading 9,000+ devices with IGEL UD Pocket rather than replacing old endpoints.  Come by booth #202 and ask us how? 

VMblog:  What are you looking forward to most at this year's event?

Ayres:  This year, we are looking forward to connecting with our partners and customers and will also be hosting quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with Platinum level partners, as well as invitation-only meetings with our Advisory Councils including the Marketing Advisory Council (MAC), the Partner Advisory Council (PAC), and our Customer Advisory Council (CAC).

In our view, education is also a very important aspect of the sales and marketing process, and we are looking to identify new synergies between our two companies. We know that there are many areas of overlap that we can capitalize on, but we would also like to identify areas where we could further expand our education efforts together in order to build greater credibility, and continue to grow our partnership with Citrix.

VMblog:  What would you say to prospective attendees who are thinking about attending Synergy but aren't sure if it's worth it or not?

Ayres:  Citrix Synergy is the best place to find out what like-minded customers and partners are doing to tune performance and improve end-user productivity. The exchange of ideas of the "art of the possible" with Citrix, will easily cover your expense and time, plus you'll make new friends and have some fun.  IGEL guarantees you'll leave Citrix Synergy with some new ideas as to how to optimize your infrastructure, endpoints and user experience. 

VMblog:  What do you think we need to do collectively as an ecosystem to strengthen the industry?

Ayres:  The problems that our mutual customers within the Citrix ecosystem face cannot be solved by a single technology or solution. The strength of our ecosystem relies on the cooperation and collaboration of vendors across this space. At IGEL, our goal is to drive cost and complexity out of the endpoint management equation, and we are achieving that by forging partnerships across the ecosystem with companies like Lakeside Software, which will be joining us in the IGEL booth at Citrix Synergy for a demonstration of the IGEL Thin Client assessment tool, powered by Lakeside Software SysTrack® Workspace Analytics.

One of the unique things we at IGEL did in Q1 was the launch of our own conference. We brought in many of our ecosystem partners in for multi-day IGEL DISRUPT events in Bremen, Germany; Austin, Tex.; and Melbourne, Australia. Together, we were able to demonstrate how multiple technologies are working together to disrupt endpoint computing by driving greater efficiencies, reducing costs and improving security. There's much more to come on that front, so stay tuned for further details

VMblog:  What do you hope to come away with from exhibiting at Synergy?  What does event success look like to you?

Ayres:  Citrix Synergy is our most important marketing event of the year, and Citrix is perhaps our most important ecosystem partner in this space. So many conversations with customers and partners have stemmed from our participation in this event, and we cannot underestimate the power of Citrix Synergy when it comes to helping us grow our business and drive success for our partners and their customers. Each year, we look forward to updating our partners, customers and prospects on how IGEL can help them lower cost and complexity, while at the same time making it easier to deliver secure endpoints. Our teams from around the globe will be on-site, educating partners and customers on the value of our software-defined endpoint management solutions, and building greater awareness for IGEL and our ecosystem partners. We are also excited that the IGEL Tech Community Insider program, led by Douglas Brown will have an even larger presence at Citrix Synergy this year, and is well on its way to 1,000 members.

VMblog:  Do you have any tips for first time attendees that you'd like to share?

Ayres:  Bring comfortable shoes! Seriously, Citrix Synergy is all about networking. First-time attendees should know that it provides a really great opportunity to meet some of the people that have been driving the success of this industry for a very long time. There is much to be had in the way of education and inspiration. The speakers are phenomenal and I would encourage anyone that attends to put away their day-to-day concerns and worries, to be present and fully immersed in all that is happening at Citrix Synergy. It is an amazing event, and you won't want to miss a minute of it.

VMblog:  Attendees always enjoy a good trade show tchotchke.  Are you guys giving away anything special or interesting this year?

Ayres:  IGEL will be giving away IGEL UD Pocket Demo Sticks, while supplies last, as well as an IGEL hats for attendees who either sign up for the IGEL Community or show booth staff an IGEL social media post using the hashtags #CitrixSynergy and #IGELBaller. Also, back by popular demand we will have a limited quantity of IGEL hedgehogs, available on a first come, first serve basis.

VMblog:  Does your company have any speaking sessions during the show?  If so, can you give us the who, what, when and where?

Ayres:  Douglas Brown, Global Technology Evangelist for IGEL and Christian Drieling, Senior Systems Engineer for IGEL will be presenting on "Why a Software-Defined Approach is Key to Managing and Securing the Endpoint." During this sponsor breakout session, they'll be sharing with attendees how software thin clients and desktop conversion software can go a long way toward reducing the cost of virtual desktop deployments. They will also highlight how a software-defined approach to managing endpoints is now paving the way for greater security and mobility in the enterprise; laying the foundation to support emerging technologies such as IoT; and, providing IT organizations with the data and analytics they need to optimize end-user computing. 

VMblog:  Are you guys throwing or involved with any type of party during the event?  Can you share the details?  

Ayres:  IGEL's Tech Community Insider program led by Douglas Brown, Global Technology Evangelist for IGEL will be hosting a Happy Hour on Monday, May 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Platinum 7 Ballroom at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel located at 700 West Convention Way in Anaheim, Calif. To Register for this event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/igel-community-happy-hour-with-doug-brown-tickets-43759434647 

IGEL will also be a sponsor again this year for the M7 Global Partners party. One of the most talked about events at Citrix Synergy, the theme for this year's event, "M7 HOUSE," is inspired by the popular "Game of Thrones" TV show. 

In summary, you need to visit IGEL at Synergy because: 

1.  This is the best place to find out about what is changing with IGEL.

2.  This is the best place to find out how to manage your Windows 10 migration.

3.  This is the best place to find out how to optimize your endpoints for maximum user productivity.

4.  This is the best place to find out about the future of VDI and DaaS endpoints.

5.  This is the best place to get a FREE UD Pocket - the world's smallest thin client.

6.  This the best place to save millions of dollars on your VDI implementation, and if you don't ask we'll never tell!

Visit www.igel.com/synergy for the latest information on IGEL-related Citrix Synergy activities.