Meet Google's new Chromebooks, optimised for business users

Google has announced new Chromebooks and features that are optimised for businesses and organisations.

Saswat Panigrahi and Raghu Yarlagadda, Google Chromebooks for Work product managers, say Chromebooks are 'putting on their power suit'.

Chromebooks are sold as easy to deploy, secure and able to integrate with existing technologies. According to IDC, in the education sector Chromebooks require 69% less labour to instal and 92% less labour to support than other devices.

To optimise the devices for a wider, more business focused audience, Google is adding to the Chromebook family.

Work-ready devices

The new Dell Chromebook 13 joins the Asus Chromebook Flip and Chromebook Pixel in the Chromebook for Work lineup.

Built with a lightweight carbon fibre cover, the laptop comes with a 13.3" FHD IPS touchscreen display, 5th Gen Intel Core processor, magnesium alloy palmrest, backlit keyboard, high-precision glass trackpad and a 12-hour battery life.

Starting at $399 and available for purchase starting September 17th, the Chromebook 13 is designed to bring enterprise class performance at an economical price point.

Plays well with others

Single sign-on and support for legacy apps mean Chromebooks can now plug in with VMware, Dell vWorkspace, or Citrix's Chrome receiver.

Users can connect to their files with Windows File Shares (SMB/CIFS), Box, Dropbox, or OneDrive, and print with Cloud Print 2.0, which uses the improved Cloud Print CUPS to connect to any existing printer.

With the help of a new API, HP supports over 100m+ printers with the HP Print for Chrome app.

When it comes to connection, VPN support from Pulse Secure and Dell SonicWall join Cisco AnyConnect on the Chrome Web Store - F5 Networks and Palo Alto Networks are said to be coming soon.

Manage from anywhere

The Chrome Device Management console, a cloud based management solution with more than 200 features, integrates Chrome devices with a user's infrastructure and helps manage thousands of devices - from users to networks to applications.

Google has also made enhancements such as domain auto complete and asset management for users and IT admins.

"With so many businesses undergoing transformation, shifting to the cloud and rethinking how mobile and devices play into this transformation, Chrome authorised resellers and Synnex corporation are ready to help you," says Panigrahi and Yarlgadda.