It’s been 10 years since the first notebook running Google’s Cloud-based operating system Chrome OS was launched, and the market share of these flexible devices has been steadily increasing ever since. While growth was initially concentrated mainly in the United States, Chromebooks are now enjoying a global upswing. Companies and end users are increasingly convinced by these easy to administer and operate, attractively priced and highly secure devices, as the consistently high growth rates demonstrate. Chromebooks are particularly suitable for Workplace as a Service models, and this has played a large part in their success during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Limited Windows Service on Chromebooks?

Chromebooks are increasingly in the spotlight for resellers and system vendors, but they can also be a particularly efficient way to help companies save costs, minimize risks and achieve long-term productivity gains. Notebooks running Chrome OS used to have an Achilles’ heel, though: While Android apps were easy to install (as well as Linux apps on some devices), emulators were needed to run Windows applications like Microsoft Office. The limited performance and higher administration costs gave them a thumbs down from many companies.

Native Integration of Parallels Desktop in Chrome OS Solves the Performance Problem

Parallels Desktop is fully integrated in Chrome OS and was developed through a close partnership between Google and Parallels, meaning that these limitations are now a thing of the past. Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS (formerly called Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise) was launched on Oct. 20, 2020,  followed this past April by the addition of performance-boosting support for AMD Ryzen processors and new Chromebook and Chromebox devices, as well as lots of new features. What all this means is that Windows and Windows-based applications like Microsoft Office can now be run on Chromebooks without limitations, even without an internet connection.

Since it is fully integrated into the Google Admin console, no VDI infrastructure is needed, providing IT departments with a quick and easy way to set up and deploy Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS.

The Changing Nature of Education Results in Revenue Opportunities for Parallels Partners

With performance limitations out of the way, the potential market for Chromebooks is again expanding rapidly. The ability to run fully functional Windows applications on cost-effective, malware-proof, intuitive and easy-to-administer notebooks means small, midsize and large enterprises are potential customers for providers who are familiar with the Parallels solution and can provide highly qualified advice.

But it`s not only enterprises that represent very promising revenue opportunities. As the corona pandemic has resulted in schools closed for in-person classes all across the world, education has changed dramatically. Today, e-learning on digital platforms is more important than ever–and it is here to stay. Chromebooks are the perfect devices to support this development. They´re cost effective, affordable and easy to use. However, since most teachers are used to working with Windows applications, which are not supported on Chromebooks by default, schools need a comprehensive solution that enables users to flexibly switch between operating systems and applications. And this solution is Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS.

If you want to learn more about Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS and its manifold benefits for the education sector, please feel free to download our Wheelers Lane Primary School customer case study.

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.