Managing Windows devices in a business environment requires a balance between security, compliance, and user productivity. Google Workspace Endpoint Management is often chosen by organizations relying on Google’s ecosystem for collaboration and security. However, IT administrators face several limitations when using Google Workspace to manage Windows PCs, from missing essential endpoint management capabilities to integration challenges.
This blog explores Google Workspace Endpoint Management for Windows, the challenges IT admins encounter, and how Scalefusion provides a more effective and seamless alternative for managing Windows devices.
What is Google Workspace device management for Windows?
Google Workspace Endpoint Management is designed to help organizations enforce security policies, manage device access, and protect enterprise data. While it offers comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) for Android and iOS, its Windows device management capabilities are comparatively limited.
For Windows PCs, Google Workspace Endpoint Management allows admins to enforce security policies, such as requiring device encryption, managing sign-in methods, and enforcing compliance rules. However, it lacks advanced endpoint management capabilities that IT teams need for fully managing Windows environments, such as remote troubleshooting, software control, and patch management.
Challenges of managing Windows PCs with Google Workspace
Despite its usefulness in securing Google Workspace accounts, IT admins often face several challenges when managing Windows PCs using Google Workspace Endpoint Management:
1. Focus limited to endpoint management
Google Workspace primarily secures user accounts and Google services rather than providing a full-fledged endpoint management solution. It lacks in-depth system monitoring, advanced hardware diagnostics, and proactive maintenance tools that IT teams need to ensure optimal device performance. For example, IT admins cannot remotely monitor CPU, RAM, and disk usage, or detect system failures in real-time.
2. No support for legacy devices
Many enterprises still use legacy Windows devices running older versions of the OS, such as Windows 7 and Windows 8. Google Workspace Endpoint Management does not support these versions, forcing organizations to either upgrade their infrastructure or manage legacy devices manually. This limitation increases security risks, as older systems without centralized management are more vulnerable to cyber threats.
3. Lacks dedicated patch management features
Google Workspace does not include a native patch management system for Windows OS or third-party applications. IT admins must rely on Windows Update for Business (WUfB) or manually deploy patches through scripts and third-party solutions. This fragmented approach can lead to unpatched vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of cyberattacks such as ransomware exploits.
4. Limited browser control capabilities
While Google Workspace allows enforcement of Chrome policies, it lacks granular controls for managing browsers like Microsoft Edge and Firefox. Organizations that rely on multiple browsers cannot enforce uniform security policies, such as blocking specific URLs, managing browser extensions, or enforcing safe browsing policies across all web browsers.
5. Remote troubleshooting limitations
Google Workspace lacks built-in remote troubleshooting capabilities such as remote desktop access, real-time screen control, and automated diagnostics. IT admins must rely on third-party remote support tools, which need to be integrated with Google Workspace. This slows down issue resolution, particularly in hybrid work environments where IT teams need to support employees working remotely.
6. Lacks the capability of controlling software usage
Google Workspace does not allow IT admins to limit the usage of software and applications. They cannot monitor how frequently applications are used. Detecting unused software that can be decommissioned to optimize licensing costs forms a roadblock. Admin also cannot check update statuses to ensure the software remains secure and compliant.
7. No location-based security
Unlike advanced UEM solutions, Google Workspace does not offer geofencing or location-based device and data security. IT teams cannot track device location or enforce policies based on a device’s physical location, such as preventing logins from unauthorized locations, restricting access to sensitive data outside of secure office networks, or enabling remote wipes only in specific geographies.
8. Integration constraints
Google Workspace Endpoint Management has limited integration with third-party ITSM platforms, security tools, and enterprise applications. For instance, it does not natively support integrations with popular IT ticketing solutions like Jira. IT teams need to use separate tools to manage device security, issue resolution, and compliance tracking, creating inefficiencies.
How Scalefusion solves these challenges
Scalefusion offers a comprehensive set of solutions under a single glass pane to address the challenges IT admins face with Google Workspace Endpoint Management.
1. One pane One agent solution
Scalefusion is a one-pane, one-agent solution. Unlike Google Workspace Endpoint Management, its capabilities are not just limited to endpoint management.
It offers three solutions – Scalefusion UEM for unified endpoint management, Scalefusion OneIdP for zero trust access, and Veltar for endpoint security, all combined into a single platform.
This gives IT admins a single-console management experience, allowing them to configure, monitor, and secure Windows devices without switching between multiple platforms.
2. Provides support for legacy devices
Along with Windows 10 and 11, Scalefusion UEM offers endpoint management for legacy Windows devices (OS version 7 and 8.1), enabling organizations to manage both modern and legacy Windows systems with no compatibility issues.
3. Granular browser control
With Scalefusion, IT admins can enforce secure browsing policies across multiple browsers, including Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, ensuring uniform security compliance. For instance, Scalefusion UEM allows admins to allow certain websites that are safe and are needed for work purposes.
Similarly, admins can configure various settings – start-up, network, cookies, extension, and bookmark for each browser. With Veltar, administrators can filter web content based on domain – entertainment, sports, games, etc.
3. Enhanced remote support
Scalefusion UEM enhances remote support capabilities with its ‘Remote Cast and Control’ feature, allowing admins to view and control end-user devices in real-time. This enables IT teams to troubleshoot issues instantly without requiring physical intervention.
Additionally, administrators can maintain seamless communication with end-users through the VoIP calling feature. They can also push files remotely, ensuring users have on-demand access to essential resources. The ability to manage devices remotely not only reduces IT costs but also optimizes resource allocation.
4. Offers Software metering
Scalefusion UEM’s Software Metering feature allows IT admins to track and analyze software usage on managed Windows devices. It includes two key settings:
- Application Rules – Set usage policies, sync permissions, and track foreground/background activity.
- Usage Summary – Generate rule-based reports on software usage duration, file details, and download reports in CSV format.
By monitoring software activity, IT teams can optimize licensing, reduce unnecessary renewals, and manage software expenses efficiently.
6. Supports location-based device security
IT admins can track the real-time location of their Windows devices, reducing the risk of loss or theft. They can access accurate location data, view location history, and set up geofences using predefined shapes or specific latitude and longitude coordinates to ensure devices remain within designated areas.
7. Integrations for ITSM and access and identity management
Scalefusion UEM integrates ITSM tools like Jira and Freshservice into its dashboard, ensuring a seamless IT management workflow. Likewise, Scalefusion OneIdP simplifies authentication by integrating with leading identity providers – Microsoft Entra, Google Workspace, and Salesforce – for single sign-on and conditional access. This reduces password fatigue and simplifies user onboarding.
Experience unified management and trusted security with Scalefusion
While Google Workspace Endpoint Management provides essential security controls for Windows devices, it does not deliver a centralized endpoint management experience. IT admins require granular control, better troubleshooting tools, and advanced security capabilities that Google Workspace lacks.
Scalefusion UEM addresses these gaps by offering a comprehensive Windows device management solution with robust features, seamless integrations, and extensive security controls. By choosing Scalefusion, organizations can enhance security, streamline IT operations, and ensure a superior device management experience.
Ready to simplify Windows device management? Get started with Scalefusion today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the benefits of google workspace windows device management?
Google Workspace’s Windows device management offers centralized control, ensuring security and efficiency. It allows IT admins to enforce policies, manage updates, and deploy applications seamlessly across Windows devices. This streamlined approach enhances productivity, simplifies administration, and safeguards sensitive data effectively.
2. How do I enable google workspace MDM?
To enable Google Workspace Mobile Device Management (MDM), navigate to the Admin console, then click on “Devices” and select “Mobile devices.” From there, click on “Setup,” follow the prompts to configure settings, and assign permissions as needed.
