Citrix WEM as a "Free" alternative to Ivanti Workspace Control
Ivanti Workspace Control EOL what now?
Ivanti announced early this year that Ivanti Workspace Control (formerly RES ONE Workspace) will reach End of Support (EoS) and End of Life (EoL) on Dec. 31, 2026. This product is widely used in conjunction with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, but many companies have not yet taken steps to find an alternative.
Did you know that with a Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops license, you can use Citrix Workspace Environment Management (WEM) for free? Many organizations are unaware of this or simply don't know about the product.
Learn more about Citrix WEM and the approaching EOL of Ivanti Workspace Control.
It is important to prepare for the termination of Ivanti Workspace Control and the move to a future-proof solution such as Citrix WEM.
Want to learn more about the benefits of Citrix WEM, the migration process, or have questions about how to best plan your transition?
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. We would love to help you find the best solution for your organization!
Frequently asked questions about Ivanti Workspace Control EOL and Citrix WEM
Below are the most frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed, please feel free to contact us!
What exactly does EoL mean for our Ivanti Workspace Control environment?
End of Life (EoL) means that the product is officially discontinued and receives no further updates or enhancements. This also includes no security updates, making the product more vulnerable to security risks.
Can we continue to use Ivanti Workspace Control after December 31, 2026?
Yes, technically you can continue to use Ivanti Workspace Control after the EoL date. The software will not automatically stop working. However, without updates and support, you run significant risks, such as security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues with new Windows versions, and no help for failures.
What are the risks of continuing to use Ivanti Workspace Control after the EOL date?
The main risks are:
- No security updates, leaving you vulnerable to cyber attacks.
- No support, which means that when problems arise, you have to find a solution yourself.
- Compatibility issues, especially with new Windows versions and other software updates.
- Increased management costs because you have to invest more time and resources in keeping an outdated system running.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to switch to an alternative, such as Citrix WEM, before the EoL date of Dec. 31, 2026.
Will Ivanti continue to release security updates or bug fixes after the EOL date?
No, Ivanti has stated that there will be no more updates or fixes after December 31, 2026, including security updates. This means that if vulnerabilities in the software are discovered, they will no longer be fixed, potentially making your IT environment insecure.
What is Citrix WEM?
Citrix Workspace Environment Management (WEM) is an excellent alternative to Ivanti Workspace Control. Several years ago, Citrix acquired the company Norskale and transformed the product into WEM. Since then, much has been invested in the development of WEM, resulting in an increasingly robust and functional product.
WEM, like Ivanti Workspace Control, allows you to manage various settings, including:
- Start Menu Layout: Personalize and manage start menus for different users.
- Group Policies: Implement and manage group policy settings.
- Registry Settings: Manage and configure registry keys.
- Security: Use Applocker or set white/blacklists for applications.
- Profile management: Optimize and manage user profiles for better performance and user experiences.
What does Citrix WEM cost?
Citrix Workspace Environment Management (WEM) is included by default with a Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Citrix Private Cloud or Citrix Hybrid Multi-Cloud license. This means there is no additional cost to purchase Citrix WEM.
Can we test Citrix WEM first before switching completely?
Yes, you can test Citrix Workspace Environment Management (WEM) before making the full switch.
The best approach is to set up a test environment in which you configure WEM and compare it with your current Ivanti Workspace Control settings. This will allow you to assess whether all required functionalities are present and how WEM performs within your IT environment.
A pilot phase with a small group of users allows you to make any adjustments before implementing the migration organization-wide. This minimizes risk and ensures a smooth transition.
Why Switch to Citrix WEM?
Moving to Citrix WEM offers several advantages:
- Cost savings: Available free of charge to users with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licenses.
- Enhanced Functionality: Through continuous updates and improvements, WEM offers expanded and enhanced functionality.
- Integration: Seamless integration with existing Citrix environments, ensuring a consistent and efficient user experience.
- Future-proofing: Citrix continues to invest in WEM, while Ivanti has indicated it will only release fixes. With Citrix WEM, you are prepared for the future.
How much time do you expect to need?
The exact length of time is difficult to determine in advance. We start with an analysis of the current environment and then draw up a step-by-step plan. On average, the migration, including testing, takes about two to three months, depending on the size and complexity of your environment.
Will our current configuration be adopted?
Your current configuration is not automatically carried over when switching from Ivanti Workspace Control to Citrix WEM.
This means reconfiguring settings such as group policies, start menu customizations, profile management and security rules within WEM.
However, you can:
- Take an inventory of your current Ivanti settings to determine what you need in WEM.
- Compare features between Ivanti and WEM to see what adjustments are needed.
- Migrate and test incrementally so that the transition is as smooth as possible.
A good migration plan helps to minimize the impact and ensures that you take full advantage of the capabilities within Citrix WEM.
What will users notice about the migration?
Users will likely notice a number of changes when moving from Ivanti Workspace Control to Citrix WEM, depending on how the migration is performed. Some possible noticeable effects include:
Better performance: Optimization of profile management and system settings can make the user experience faster and more efficient, especially in a virtual desktop environment.
Custom user settings: The configuration of things like the start menu, shortcuts, and application settings can be customized, leading to a slightly different user interface or work experience.
Seamless integration with Citrix: For organizations already using Citrix, WEM will provide an integrated and more streamlined experience, which can improve the user experience.
Possible temporary disruptions: During the migration there may be temporary disruptions or changes to the work environment, such as resetting profiles or settings, but these will usually be resolved quickly.
Improved security and stability: As Citrix WEM is ongoing and regularly updated, users can benefit from improved security and stability of their workstations.
In general, most users will notice positive changes, especially if the migration is carefully executed and properly tested before full implementation.
Before when should I switch?
Ivanti Workspace Control will reach End of Life status on December 31, 2026. It is wise to start migrating to Citrix WEM well before this date. This will prevent you from depending on Ivanti after the EOL date without access to support in case of any problems.
How to move forward?
When you switch to Citrix WEM, we start with an inventory of your current Ivanti Workspace Control environment. Then, together we draw up a roadmap to make the migration as smooth as possible.
New Yard is the partner who manages our hosted cloud environment and, with a great deal of expertise, picks up everything beyond normal system administration.
The cooperation is pleasant and pleasantly informal while the technical aspects are approached very seriously and professionally.
Because it looks beyond resolving issues, our environment has become even more stable.
New Yard did an excellent job implementing our new Citrix environment.
By actively thinking along, the environment was optimally set up and valuable suggestions for improvement were given.
The expertise and commitment resulted in a smooth transition without interruptions.
Thanks to the thorough approach and clear communication, we now have an efficient and reliable Citrix environment.
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