HexCon24 Feature announcements: See what’s powering tomorrow’s device management

HexCon24 marked a significant milestone in Hexnode’s history. Our first ever in-person user conference provided a valuable platform for technology enthusiasts and industry leaders to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest advancements in device management. The event offered a rich tapestry of experiences, including insightful keynote addresses and networking opportunities. This year, we went beyond what we expected, revealing nine powerful new features that are set to revolutionize the way our customers manage and secure their devices.  

From expanded platform support to AI script generator, this blog takes you behind the scenes of our feature announcements. Keep an eye out for updates on how these exciting features will revolutionize your business operations and elevate your Hexnode experience.

Hexnode Genie

Hexnode Genie redefines UEM standards by significantly enhancing your scripting experience. This powerful AI scripting tool by Hexnode enables you to generate and validate custom scripts based on natural language queries.

The automation of scripting procedures enhances productivity and the overall efficiency of the workforce. With cross-platform support, Hexnode Genie simplifies script generation and validation across Windows, macOS, and Linux. The integration of NLP makes scripting accessible even to non-coders, enabling anyone to easily create and manage scripts. Additionally, it offers customization options, allowing users to easily edit and tailor generated scripts, within the script editor, to meet their specific needs. This makes it a versatile tool for both beginners and experts alike. 

MSP

Hexnode is preparing to launch its MSP Portal for partners, designed to enable Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to manage multiple client environments and servers from a unified console. This upcoming solution will offer organization-wide policy enforcement and configuration management, providing MSPs with a streamlined approach to managing their clients’ IT environments efficiently 

By centralizing management, the portal enables MSPs to control various environments from one interface. It supports scalability and enhances efficiency through automated tasks, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Key functionalities include: 

• Dashboard: Summarizes portal statuses, estimated monthly bills, and license usage. 

• Portal view: Lists all client portals, allowing admins to log in without repeated authentication. 

• Payments: Enables admins and billing managers to manage subscriptions with user-specific financial details. 

• Users: Implements role-based access control, allowing MSP admins to assign roles, ensuring secure management. 

Ultimately, it will empower MSPs to provide better service to their clients while maximizing productivity and resource utilization. 

Deployments

Hexnode’s upcoming Deployments feature introduces powerful workflow automation, enabling IT admins to effortlessly execute routine device management tasks. With both time-based and action-based automation, IT teams can set up workflows that trigger automatically, whether at a scheduled time or in response to specific actions. This allows admins to automate simple tasks across entire device groups, such as pushing updates, enforcing policies, or sending notifications, ensuring consistent device management with minimal manual intervention. Deployments simplify operations, improve efficiency, and allow teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. 

Hexnode Gateway for Windows 

UEM solutions help businesses remotely control and monitor their devices, but as companies grow, their current UEM may no longer meet their needs, requiring migration to a more powerful system. 

Hexnode, which already supports macOS migration through Hexnode Gateway, is now extending this feature to Windows devices. The Hexnode Gateway app simplifies the migration process by securely transferring device data without requiring a device wipe or manual intervention. This reduces the risk of data loss and minimizes downtime. 

With Hexnode Gateway, IT teams can migrate entire fleets of Windows devices smoothly, ensuring data security. This unique feature sets Hexnode apart, as no other competitors currently offer a similar solution for Windows, making the transition to Hexnode’s advanced device management platform smoother and less complex. 

Linux support

Many organizations use Linux OS, making effective management crucial for maintaining productivity and security. Hexnode is expanding its platform support to include Linux, targeting all sub-distributions under Fedora and Debian. 

Key features include: 

• Remote actions: Administrators can execute commands like lock, wipe, restart, scan devices, OS updates, push applications, and much more remotely, allowing for efficient device management without physical access. 

• Device details: Access comprehensive information about hardware, software, and network configurations to facilitate better decision-making. 

• Restrictions: Implement various restrictions on Wi-Fi, VPN, GPS, and camera settings to ensure compliance with corporate policies and enhance security. 

• Configurations: Customize passwords, Wi-Fi access, web content filtering, certificates, lock screen messages, wallpapers, and screensavers. 

• App management: Restrict or permit specific applications while enforcing mandatory apps and enterprise apps to simplify usage and security. 

• Audit reports: Generate detailed reports for auditing to help with compliance and security assessments. 

Custom Reports

Hexnode’s custom reports feature will allow admins to generate reports tailored to their organization’s specific requirements. By providing deeper insights into device and user compliance, admins will gain greater control over policy enforcement and security measures. This functionality will simplify the process of identifying devices associated with certain policies and tracking users who may not be compliant with organizational standards. By enhancing visibility into device and user compliance, admins will have more control over policy enforcement and security.  

With this feature, admins will be able to filter data by criteria such as device type, policy compliance, and user activities. This flexibility will help organizations quickly identify compliance gaps and address them effectively. This reporting system will allow better monitoring of device behavior and potential security risks from a centralized console. 

ChromeOS

ChromeOS, developed by Google, is a lightweight, open-source operating system known for its simplicity and integration with Google services such as Google Drive, Gmail, and the Google Play Store. Soon, Hexnode UEM will offer comprehensive management solutions for ChromeOS devices, enabling businesses to enroll and manage their ChromeOS fleet from a unified platform.  With support for web apps and Linux terminals, ChromeOS promises an efficient user experience across a variety of devices. 

Hexnode UEM plans to support two primary methods for enrolling ChromeOS devices: 

• General enrollment: This method will allow administrators to manually enroll Chromebooks through the Google Admin console, offering flexibility for managing individual devices. 

• Bulk enrollment: With Android Zero-Touch enrollment, organizations can collaborate with a pre-provisioning partner to automatically enroll all ChromeOS devices in bulk, streamlining the entire process for more efficient deployment.  

Both methods are expected to ensure seamless enrollment between devices and Hexnode UEM, allowing administrators to apply policies, push updates and manage security remotely. 

Once these features are available, ChromeOS devices will be listed in both the Google Admin console and the Hexnode UEM portal, where they can be monitored, managed, and secured. This will give businesses greater control over their devices, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with organizational security policies. 

App Patches for Windows

App patches are crucial for maintaining optimal performance and security. Hexnode UEM is set to enable the management of app patches on Windows devices by remotely enforcing updates and configuring settings tailored to organizational needs. 

Schedule updates

Updates can be scheduled at specific time intervals, ensuring minimal disruption. Administrators can set updates to run daily, on certain days, or once a week, with precise time frames defined for the process. 

Auto-update preference 

Organizations can configure app updates by enabling automatic updates for all applications, targeting specific apps, or scanning for updates without automatically installing them. This allows for tailored update management strategies. 

Target apps 

Hexnode UEM enables administrators to target specific applications by specifying preferred versions and enforcing update protocols. Advanced settings provide further customization options, including update behavior, priority levels, and the ability to uninstall outdated versions. This streamlined approach ensures that devices remain secure and current with the latest software updates. 

VisionOS 

Hexnode UEM is extending its support to visionOS, Apple’s operating system specifically designed for Apple Vision Pro, making spatial computing device management hassle-free for enterprises. By utilizing Hexnode’s management capabilities, businesses will be able to integrate visionOS devices into their existing management frameworks.  

Account-driven enrollment simplifies the onboarding process and supports both company-owned and personally owned devices. With its extended set of features in app management, Hexnode UEM simplifies the process of deploying, updating, and securing applications across all visionOS devices. Additionally, Hexnode assists in configuring VPNs, Wi-Fi settings, deployment of certificates and other security and network settings ensuring that the devices are safe and secure. 

Wrapping up..

HexCon24 has brought forth an impressive lineup of upcoming features designed to transform your device management experience. As these advancements are just around the corner, we’re eager for you to experience the improvements they’ll bring to your device management.  

For those who missed it out this time, don’t worry! You can catch up on everything you missed by checking out our other blog posts covering the keynote details and event highlights. Stay tuned for what’s next, and we hope to see you at HexCon25. See you there!