Unlock the Full Value of Citrix with Unicon's eLux OS
May 30, 2025
Citrix has long led the way in virtual app and desktop delivery. But while its backend infrastructure continues to evolve with greater flexibility, scalability, and cloud readiness, many customers are still relying on outdated, high-maintenance Windows-based endpoints. That approach is increasingly difficult to justify—both operationally and financially.
If you’re already paying for Citrix’s robust virtualization platform, why saddle your environment with endpoints that add unnecessary cost and complexity? Now that Unicon is part of the Citrix family, the case for switching to a purpose-built endpoint operating system like eLux has never been stronger.
Citrix Is Not a Budget Platform — So Maximize the ROI
Citrix is a premium solution. Organizations invest in it because it delivers industry-leading security, performance, and flexibility for remote work and desktop virtualization. But you’re dragging along an outdated operating model if you still use Windows on your endpoints.
Windows was never designed specifically for VDI or DaaS access. It brings along licensing fees, frequent patching, complete OS maintenance, and hardware bloat, which eats into your IT budget and reduces the overall efficiency of your Citrix deployment.
If your Citrix investment is strategic, your endpoint strategy should be.
Why Windows Endpoints Are Holding You Back
Using Windows as an endpoint OS to access Citrix environments introduces several key issues:
- Licensing Overhead: Windows OS licenses, antivirus software, and associated management tools significantly increase per-device costs.
- Security Risk: Windows is a large attack surface. It requires regular patching and monitoring, which drains security resources.
- IT Maintenance: Updating, imaging, and troubleshooting Windows devices takes time and labor.
- Hardware Lifecycle: Windows devices typically require more CPU, RAM, and storage, leading to shorter refresh cycles.
These challenges multiply at scale and undermine the cost-efficiency Citrix is designed to deliver.
Windows 10 Is Nearing End of Life — The Clock Is Ticking
Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach the end of support in October 2025. For Citrix customers who are still running Windows 10 on endpoints, this creates a time-sensitive decision point.
Upgrading to Windows 11 means investing in hardware that meets stringent requirements — for an OS that wasn’t built for virtual workspace access. Alternatively, extending Windows 10 support comes with additional fees and risks.
This is the perfect opportunity to move away from general-purpose operating systems and adopt a secure, lightweight OS designed for your deploying use case: safe access to cloud-hosted and virtual desktops.
Meet Unicon: Citrix's Endpoint OS Solution
Unicon’s eLux OS and Scout Enterprise Management Suite offer a hardened Linux-based platform that is purpose-built for accessing Citrix and other virtual desktop infrastructures. Now officially part of the Citrix portfolio, Unicon gives customers a native alternative to Windows endpoints.
What You Get with Unicon:
- eLux 7: Lightweight, fast-booting OS for VDI, DaaS, SaaS apps, and secure browser workflows
- No Windows Licensing: Eliminate recurring OS and antivirus costs
- Improved Security: A reduced attack surface and read-only file system by design
- Longer Hardware Lifespan: Runs on low-power devices and repurposed PCs
- Centralized Control: Scout makes managing and updating endpoints scalable and straightforward
- Seamless Citrix Integration: Optimized for Citrix HDX, Workspace App, and Secure Private Access
Not Just for Citrix: Built for a Multi-Platform World
While Unicon is now under the Citrix umbrella, it isn’t locked into a Citrix-only ecosystem, which is essential in today’s hybrid infrastructure landscape.
eLux supports access to multiple VDI and DaaS environments, including:
- Omnissa Horizon (formerly VMware Horizon)
- Omnissa Workspace ONE
- Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
- Windows 365
- Enterprise browsers and secure SaaS environments
This broad compatibility makes eLux an ideal solution for organizations that leverage a mix of platforms or are transitioning to flexible, cloud-first strategies.
Top Use Cases: Where Unicon Shines
Organizations across sectors are turning to Unicon for endpoint efficiency:
- Healthcare: Shared workstations, fast logins, and high-security environments
- Financial Services: Compliance-ready devices and simplified endpoint management
- Call Centers: Cost-effective, low-maintenance devices at scale
- Education: Repurpose older computers into manageable learning stations
- Manufacturing and Retail: Kiosk-style access to web apps and SaaS tools
If your users rely on Citrix to access core apps, a streamlined, secure endpoint OS makes everything smoother—and more cost-effective.
Standardization vs. BYOD: Why One OS Strategy Matters
Some organizations have allowed bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies for virtual desktop access to promote flexibility. However, managing a fleet of mixed OS devices across different hardware profiles introduces fragmentation, inconsistency, and support issues.
By standardizing on a single, secure operating system like eLux, organizations gain:
- Unified User Experience: Consistent access, performance, and support across all endpoints
- Streamlined IT Management: Easier troubleshooting, fewer compatibility issues, and lower support overhead
- Stronger Security Posture: Fewer attack vectors and better control over patches, updates, and configurations
BYOD can compromise compliance efforts and slow incident response, especially in regulated or high-security industries. A unified OS strategy mitigates these risks while simplifying endpoint delivery.
If You Haven't Made the Switch, You're Already Behind
Many IT leaders have already abandoned Windows as an endpoint OS. If your environment still depends on it to launch a Citrix session, you’re spending more to get less.
A modern Citrix deployment deserves a modern endpoint strategy. Unicon delivers that, with the added benefit of centralized control, lower costs, and stronger security.
Final Thoughts
Citrix remains the gold standard in secure application and desktop delivery. But pairing it with general-purpose Windows devices sacrifices performance, savings, and simplicity.
Unicon offers a modern, Linux-based endpoint OS tailored to Citrix use cases and beyond. With support for today’s leading VDI and DaaS platforms, it’s a future-proof solution that can help streamline operations, reduce costs, and extend hardware life.
Ready to Explore?
Speak with ThinClient Direct. Let’s explore this together. Leverage our expertise in endpoint strategy and Unicon deployments. We’ll help you pilot eLux in your environment. If you need hardware, we have performance-optimized thin clients explicitly built to maximize the speed, stability, and efficiency of Unicon eLux OS.
Let’s build a more brilliant endpoint strategy—starting now.
