Lenovo is set to launch a portfolio of enterprise-focused devices powered by Esper Foundation, a custom Android operating system. The first device, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M70a all-in-one desktop PC, is expected to be released by the end of 2023.
Esper Foundation is based on Android 11 and offers a number of features that make it attractive for enterprise use, including customizable branding, peripheral compatibility, quarterly security patches, and three years of support. The Esper MDM system also allows IT administrators to remotely deploy, manage, and update devices from a single view.
Lenovo chose Android over Chrome OS for its enterprise devices because it believes that Android offers a number of advantages like greater flexibility, wider range of hardware, and enterprise-grade features.
Esper Foundation, built upon on Android 11, brings custom branding, seamless peripheral compatibility, quarterly security updates, and a substantial three-year support system. The MDM platform, on the other hand, enables remote deployment, management, and updates, all from a single, streamlined interface.
When questioned about their preference for Android over Chrome OS, Johanny Payero, Lenovo’s director of global advanced solutions marketing and strategy, said, “The Esper solution is specifically designed for device management on an Android OS running on x86 platforms, creating a unique opportunity for Lenovo to cater to markets such as retail, hospitality, and digital signage appliances, all of which require a high level of customization.”
The sources for this piece include an article in TechRadar.