How thin clients with IGEL OS offer a resilient, sovereign alternative to traditional PCs — insights from ACP’s Director Modern Workplace, Carsten Pavlovits, on security, hybrid work, and digital sovereignty in times of cloud, AI, and geopolitical risk.
ACP positions itself as a strong IGEL partner. The systems integrator goes to customers jointly with the vendor. Joint appearances, such as at Smart Country Convention, underline the close cooperation. Pavlovits welcomes IGEL’s “huge transformation”: “For us as a systems house, this opens up bigger opportunities.” The component crisis, the shift to Windows 11, and workload migration to Microsoft Azure Cloud make flexible, secure endpoint solutions more necessary than ever.
Moving Beyond Legacy VDI to SaaS and Hybrid
Classic Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) alone is no longer enough. “IGEL OS 12 goes far beyond pure VDI,” Pavlovits explains. The focus is on how users actually work — moving away from legacy systems toward Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and hybrid models. IGEL OS, a secure operating system, forms the core. It eliminates many classic attack vectors and offers optimal security for Cloud Workspaces, VDI, and Digital Workspaces.
The combination with partners like Microsoft or Palo Alto Networks adds security layers. Topics like context-sensitive identity, authorization, and Zero Trust are gaining importance. AI agents of the future will have their own identities and security keys. IGEL OS 12 scores with better manageability and a modern MSP model. “That enables us and our customers to operate more efficiently and scalably,” says Pavlovits.
ACP combines hardware from HP, LG, and Lenovo with integrated IGEL OS into a powerful total solution. IGEL serves as a flexible platform supporting various application delivery methods: “Besides VDI applications, web and SaaS as well as native applications can run on the IGEL platform,” the Director notes.
Digital Sovereignty as Strategic Advantage
Digital sovereignty is central. IGEL develops in Augsburg — made in Germany. For many customers, that’s decisive. “IGEL is a European solution that clearly sets itself apart from purely US-based offerings,” Pavlovits explains. In times of hybrid cloud and geopolitical risks, the question “Where is our data?” becomes critical. Engineering knowledge and sensitive company data should stay in Europe.
Resilience plays a major role. Pavlovits openly addresses dependencies and Plan-B scenarios: “Think of the CrowdStrike outage. With IGEL and dual-boot concepts, companies can ensure business continuity.” ACP increasingly discusses this with customers in healthcare, public sector, and midmarket.
Preventive Security Model and Broad Industry Fit
IGEL OS impresses with its preventive security model. The read-only OS, no local data storage, cryptographically secured boot process, and modular design with only ∼2 GB footprint massively reduce risks. It integrates seamlessly into Zero Trust architectures and works with leading SASE providers.
Industry examples highlight the benefits: In healthcare, smartcard solutions (RFID/NFC) enable fast, secure login on ward PCs. Patient data stays protected. In industry, thin clients provide reliable access to production data — even in dusty environments like carpentry shops, they win with durability.
The UD Pocket powered by IGEL OS turns nearly any x86-64 device into a secure thin client. “Plug in & start work” — new onboarding in minutes. Benefits include lower investment costs via reuse of older hardware, reduced CO₂ footprint, and secure work outside the corporate network.
ACP as Gold Partner and Managed Service Provider
ACP is an official IGEL Gold Partner and expanding its MSP business. With over 50 locations in Germany and Austria, a growing team of certified specialists, and strong independence, the company brings ideal conditions.
Beyond technology, training and adoption are key. “We discuss with customers not just technology, but the entire workplace as a strategic business decision.” The partnership with IGEL and Microsoft offers enormous growth potential — including new business areas beyond classic VDI.
Outlook: AI and the Workplace of the Future
Development is accelerating. AI agents, better user experience, and hybrid concepts shape the next step. Pavlovits is optimistic: “We’re well positioned, growing in Germany with vendors, and looking forward to the future.” With IGEL OS as a platform, companies can respond flexibly to change — secure, sovereign, and future-proof.
ACP and IGEL show how technology and partnership shape the Smart Workspace of the future. For companies seeking independence, security, and efficiency, this combination is a strong recommendation.
Dr. Jakob Jung is Editor-in-Chief of Security Storage and Channel Germany. He has been working in IT journalism for more than 20 years. His career includes Computer Reseller News, Heise Resale, Informationweek, Techtarget (storage and data center) and ChannelBiz. He also freelances for numerous IT publications, including Computerwoche, Channelpartner, IT-Business, Storage-Insider and ZDnet. His main topics are channel, storage, security, data center, ERP and CRM.
Contact via Mail: jakob.jung@security-storage-und-channel-germany.de