Open Circle launches the Managed Workplace

Zurich, 1 February 2024

Open Circle, a pioneer in the Swiss IT industry, today announces the launch of its latest product: the ‘Managed Workplace’. This innovative IT solution redefines digital workplace management and guides small and medium-sized enterprises into the future of digital autonomy.

In times of digitalisation, home office and remote working, many SMEs are struggling with confusion, non-transparent costs, dependencies and security threats. Added to this are problems such as long waiting times and cost pressure when replacing devices. Stefan Escher, CEO of Open Circle, on the vision behind the product:

‘Our Managed Workplace is a central building block of the New Work movement. It offers SMEs a secure and digitally sovereign working environment that increases productivity and fits seamlessly into the trend of digital change.’

The solution: the managed workstation

The OPEN CIRCLE Managed Workplace allows comprehensive management of desktop computers, notebooks and thin clients. Devices can be purchased or rented and managed using an integrated reporting and admin tool cockpit. Features such as endpoint security, client hardening, vulnerability scanner, secure connection to the Swiss Business Cloud and up-to-date software ensure the highest possible level of security. Competent user and system support round off the offering.

The self-developed IT admin tool, a centrepiece of the solution, simplifies device management and reporting. It makes deployment child’s play and gives technical managers unrivalled control and an overview of the device landscape. The combination of these features creates a synergy of flexibility, control and security that is unique on the market in this form.

Innovative technologies for high-performance device management

Pascal Mages, CTO of Open Circle, on the new solution: ‘In the Managed Workplace, we combine modern and innovative open source technologies with efficient methods to offer powerful client management. Device management, configuration and update management, software distribution and remote support maximise the performance and security of our customers’ IT infrastructure.’ The Open Circle solution offers great flexibility in terms of software. Many applications are already available as standard. Open Circle can package specific industry software individually and distribute it to the desired devices.

Four variants for every SME requirement

The Managed Workplace is designed for SMEs of all sizes. The solution is particularly suitable for companies with sensitive data and a need for high-performance IT, such as service providers in the areas of finance/insurance, production/trade, science/technology, property/construction, as well as health, education and social services or the public sector. The Managed Workplace is available in four versions: Essential, Advanced, Entreprise and Premium.

The focus is on IT security

By using various monitoring and surveillance tools and a clever product design, the Open Circle solution achieves exceptionally good endpoint security. This includes automatic log analyses and regular vulnerability scans. Compliance with defined configuration guidelines can also be ensured. The hard drives are encrypted according to the latest state of development.

Even the Essential version of Open Circle offers an above-average level of device security, which can be customised even further to meet individual customer wishes and requirements. This includes VPN, multi-factor authentication and custom hardening.

The advantages of the Managed Workplace

The Open Circle solution reduces the administrative workload for SME IT immensely. Standardised configurations and centralised device management enable fast and effective device provisioning and therefore smooth onboarding of new employees. IT managers are relieved and can focus on their core tasks. Software and applications are always up to date. Proactive monitoring 24/7 and the secure connection to the Swiss Business Cloud ensure maximum IT security. The four variants for every need as well as the transparent and predictable costs are further advantages that Open Circle offers with its solution.

About Open Circle

Open Circle is a Swiss IT solution developer focussing on small and medium-sized companies. The company was founded in 2001 and today employs over 40 people. With the Virtual Workplace in the Swiss Business Cloud and other independent IT solutions, Open Circle offers a modern working environment for SMEs that attach great importance to digital sovereignty.