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CRT Blogs (4)
May 23, 2025

Centralized Reporting with ChromeOS Readiness Tool: One Dashboard, All Your Insights

The ChromeOS Readiness Tool features a comprehensive and user-friendly web-based dashboard designed to help organizations effectively monitor and manage their transition to ChromeOS. This centralized dashboard provides real-time visibility into the readiness status of devices across the entire organization.

With customizable views and filtering options, IT administrators can easily identify readiness trends, pinpoint devices requiring attention, and make informed decisions to support a smooth and efficient deployment of ChromeOS.

Key Features of the Web Dashboard Explained

  • A high-level readiness score is provided, along with detailed breakdowns by compatibility status and application usage across the organization.

  • Real-time compatibility assessments for individual devices.

  • Detailed insights into connected peripherals, including their compatibility status.

  • Comprehensive browser insights, such as browser usage, browser version data, and extension details. This feature provides centralized visibility, helps identify unauthorized extensions to improve security posture, and simplifies browser management.

Accessing readiness details on the web dashboard requires uploading the private key generated during tool deployment. This ensures that only the user who deployed the tool and possesses the private key can access the collected data. Accessing the dashboard typically involves signing in with a Google account.

Specific Dashboard Types

There are primarily two types of web dashboards, each designed to serve distinct user needs, and the dashboard will be enabled only if the user selects GCP as the storage method.

Reporting Dashboard

The Reporting Dashboard appears on the administrator’s machine once data collection is completed, displaying the information generated by the Report Generator, which is responsible for compiling and producing the organizational and device readiness reports.

  • Shows the total application count for each readiness status.

  • Includes a pie chart displaying the percentage of devices in each readiness category.

  • Lists all devices in the selected domain with their readiness status.

  • Provides an application summary for each device, categorized as Chrome Ready, Possibly Ready, Blocker, or Unknown.

  • Allows clicking on a device to view a detailed summary of its specific applications.

  • The data insight section includes a summary of devices in each readiness category and a list of the most used applications and their readiness categories.

  • Users can find previous reports in the history reports section.

  • Raw data reports can be downloaded in Excel format, providing an overview of device readiness and an overview of peripherals. These Excel sheets can be used for visualization in tools like Looker, Tableau, or PowerBI.

  • A summary of the collected data can be downloaded as a PDF report.

  • Feedback submitted by the admin can be reviewed.

Pro Dashboard

  • Available for pro company users.

  • Provides a detailed company readiness overview with statuses and percentages, total domain count, and device distribution.

  • Shows the most used applications categorized into foreground and background, with details and status.

  • Displays ChromeOS Readiness data for each domain, including device count, readiness status, and percentages of Chrome Ready applications and peripherals.

  • Allows drilling down into specific applications by clicking on data points in the devices section.

  • Provides detailed information about peripheral devices, including names, overall readiness status, and device counts.

  • Users can submit and review feedback.

Partner Dashboard

  • Available for partner companies managing multiple customers, and partners can view customer details only by entering the relevant private key.

  • After entering the customer's Private Key, detailed readiness data, including an overview, device distribution, device counts, readiness percentages, and Chrome Ready apps/peripherals, are accessible.

  • Allows viewing readiness data for specific domains of an organization.

  • Provides details on peripheral devices, including core readiness status percentage, device distribution data, names, status, and counts.

  • Offers filters for devices based on readiness status.

  • Users can submit and review feedback.

Summary

In summary, the ChromeOS Readiness Tool provides various dashboard views tailored for different user types and installation methods, all designed to give comprehensive insights into an organization's readiness for a ChromeOS transition. Access to detailed data on these dashboards is secured through the use of a private key.

CRT Blogs (3)
May 22, 2025

Ways the ChromeOS Readiness Tool Simplifies IT Planning

Transitioning your organization's IT infrastructure to a cloud-based operating system like ChromeOS offers many benefits, including enhanced security and potential cost savings. However, the migration process can seem complex. Effective planning is key to a smooth transition. The ChromeOS Readiness Tool is designed precisely to simplify this crucial IT planning phase by providing a comprehensive assessment of your current environment.

The tool works by analyzing your existing application usage, device compatibility, and peripheral integration. This analysis provides actionable insights that are vital for strategic IT planning.

Here’s how the ChromeOS Readiness Tool streamlines your IT planning:

1. Provides Clear Compatibility Roadmaps The tool eliminates guesswork by meticulously analyzing your environment and classifying the readiness of both devices and applications.

  • For devices, it provides statuses like "Ready to Switch," "Ready with Verification", and "Blocked from Switching". This immediately tells you which devices are good to go and which require further attention or cannot transition.

  • For applications, it categorizes them as "ChromeOS-ready," "Possibly ready," "Blockers," or "Unknown". Identifying "Blockers" is crucial for planning, as these apps require specific solutions like virtualization before migration. This detailed categorization helps you prioritize efforts and plan for necessary software adjustments or replacements.

2. Offers Essential Insights for Informed Decisions. Features like the Browser Insights feature provide a comprehensive view of browser and extension usage across your organization. This insight into browser usage, version data, and extension details is critical for making informed decisions about compatibility with ChromeOS and the Chrome Enterprise Browser. It also helps identify potential security risks from unauthorized extensions, simplifying security planning.

3. Centralizes Information for Easy Monitoring. The tool offers an intuitive web-based dashboard. This dashboard provides a user-friendly interface to monitor readiness status across the organization, displaying a high-level readiness score, breakdowns by compatibility, real-time device assessments, peripheral insights, and browser insights. Centralized visibility simplifies monitoring and provides a clear overview for IT teams during the planning phase. It also identifies applications needing virtualization and suggests solutions.

4. Drives Efficiency and Predictability By identifying potential challenges early in the migration process, the tool helps save both time and resources. This early identification reduces downtime and associated costs, making your IT planning more predictable and efficient. The tool provides a clear understanding of your current IT landscape, eliminating guesswork for a more efficient transition.

In essence, the ChromeOS Readiness Tool acts as a vital pre-migration scanner, providing the detailed information and clear classifications needed to create a solid IT migration plan. By leveraging its comprehensive assessments, centralized dashboard, and tailored recommendations, organizations can approach the transition to ChromeOS with confidence and clarity, simplifying what might otherwise be a daunting process.

Getting started is straightforward: you can visit the official website, schedule a demo, choose your installation method (Enterprise or PowerShell), and use the insights to plan effectively.

Experience the Readiness Tool today and simplify your ChromeOS migration planning.

CRT Blogs (2)
May 21, 2025

How to Deploy the ChromeOS Readiness Tool Enterprise VS PowerShell Explained

Transitioning to ChromeOS is a strategic move for organizations seeking efficiency and security. Before making the switch, understanding your current IT environment is crucial, and that's where the ChromeOS Readiness Tool comes in. It's designed to assess your compatibility by analyzing application usage, device compatibility, and peripheral integration. To begin this assessment, you need to deploy the tool. There are two primary installation methods or deployment flows: the Enterprise Flow and the PowerShell Flow. Choosing the right flow depends on your existing infrastructure. While you might hear about "Pro" or "Partner" dashboards, these refer to the interfaces for viewing results, accessible after deployment via the chosen flow and storage configuration.

Let's explore the two deployment flows:

1. The Enterprise Installation Method 

  • This flow is tailored for organizations that primarily use Active Directory and Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for management. It's specifically designed for environments without Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) systems and typically leverages on-premise infrastructure.

Key Characteristics:

  • Supports installation via Active Directory and GPOs.

  • Features an automated data collection agent.

  • Utilizes on-premise infrastructure.

  • Storage Options: Choose between two available storage configurations to suit your organization's needs.

    • Network Shared Folder

    • Network Shared Folder and GCP Storage Bucket

  • Dashboard Access: Selecting the "Network Shared Folder and GCP Storage Bucket" storage option provides access to a web dashboard, allowing users to view the readiness data in greater detail.

2. The PowerShell Flow (or PowerShell Installation)

This flow is designed for environments where Active Directory is not used for deployment. It is optimized for Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) systems and utilizes cloud-based infrastructure.

Key Characteristics:

  • Designed for installation without Active Directory.

  • Optimized for UEM systems.

  • The data collection agent requires manual setup.

  • Utilizes cloud-based infrastructure.

  • Storage Options: Storage is available via GCP Cloud Storage Bucket. 

  • Dashboard Access: The web dashboard is available for the PowerShell flow, which will allow users to view the readiness data in a more detailed manner.

How to Choose:

The decision hinges on your current IT management infrastructure:

  • Choose the Enterprise Flow if you rely heavily on Active Directory/GPOs and do not use a UEM system.

  • Choose the PowerShell Flow if your organization uses a UEM system and deployment is not managed via Active Directory.

Understanding these deployment options is the first critical step to effectively utilizing the ChromeOS Readiness Tool for a successful migration assessment.

CRT Blogs (1)
May 20, 2025

Spotlight On: The Browser Insights Feature in the ChromeOS Readiness Tool

One of the standout capabilities of the ChromeOS Readiness Tool is Browser Insights, a feature designed specifically to evaluate and understand your organization’s web environment.

This feature offers a comprehensive overview of browser and extension usage across your organization. It provides statistics on browser popularity, version distribution, and average usage trends. This information helps IT teams make informed and confident decisions regarding their current web setup and its compatibility with ChromeOS and the Chrome Enterprise Browser.

What kind of data does it capture?

The Browser Insights feature includes browser usage data, browser version information, and extension details. On the dashboard, you can see key statistics such as the Total Device Count, Unique Browsers identified, the Total Browser Versions in use, and the Total Extensions found across the organization. It shows the usage of the most used browsers within the organization, listing browsers like Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave, along with their usage percentages. The dashboard also presents the average usage between browsers and applications.

Furthermore, you can find detailed information on different browser versions used and the number of devices running them, as well as an organization-wide overview of extensions, including their names, IDs, and version information. A list of devices is displayed, followed by the extension names for each browser on that device.

Here's how this feature specifically benefits your organization:

  • Centralized Visibility: The feature provides a single location to view browser and extension data from all managed devices.

  • Improved Security Posture: By identifying unauthorized or potentially risky extensions and outdated browser versions, IT teams can effectively reduce security risks within the organization.

  • Transition Readiness: The insights gained are crucial for assessing your current web setup and supporting a smoother move to ChromeOS and the Chrome Enterprise Browser.

Data collection for the Browser Insights feature is Admin-Controlled & Compliant. This means the process is transparent, requiring administrator approval before data is collected.

You can explore the data captured by this feature on the intuitive web-based dashboard. The dashboard provides detailed insights into device readiness for ChromeOS, including valuable browser information, offering a clear view of compatibility status and assessment results. The dashboard allows you to see a company readiness overview, device readiness statuses, and various reports.

By using the Browser Insights feature, organizations gain crucial visibility into their web environment. This enables better security practices and streamlined management, and provides a clearer path for transitioning to Chrome Enterprise Browser.

CRT Blogs
May 19, 2025

How Secure Is the ChromeOS Readiness Tool?

In an era where cyber‑threats are ever‑present, ensuring secure planning for a ChromeOS transition is critical. The ChromeOS Readiness Tool is designed with robust security measures to ensure that your organization's sensitive information remains protected throughout the migration assessment process.

Multi-Layered Data Encryption

ChromeOS Readiness Tool employs advanced encryption techniques to safeguard your data:

  • AES Encryption: All log files generated by ChromeOS Readiness Tool are encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), ensuring that data at rest is secure.

  • RSA Encryption: The AES encryption keys themselves are further protected by encrypting them with the server's RSA public key, adding an additional layer of security.

These encryption methods ensure that even if data is intercepted, it remains unintelligible to unauthorized parties.

Controlled Access with Private Keys

Access to the assessment details on the web dashboard is restricted:

  • Private Key Requirement: Only the user who deployed the tool and possesses the corresponding private key can decrypt and view the assessment data.

This ensures that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized personnel within your organization.

Secure Storage Options

ChromeOS Readiness Tool offers flexible storage solutions to align with your organization's security policies:

  • Network Shared Folder: For organizations preferring on-premises data storage, the ChromeOS Readiness Tool allows encrypted data to be stored in a designated network shared folder. Access to this folder is restricted to authorized IT personnel, ensuring secure data handling within your internal infrastructure.

  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Storage: For organizations utilizing cloud services, ChromeOS Readiness Tool supports storage on GCP. This option leverages Google's robust security measures, including role-based access controls, to protect your data in the cloud.

Certifications, Compliance, and Best Practices

In addition to encryption and access controls, the ChromeOS Readiness Tool follows strict compliance standards and best practices to meet the needs of enterprise IT teams:

  •  SOC 2 Type 2 Certification

The ChromeOS Readiness Tool, along with its development and operational processes at Codimite, has been independently audited and awarded SOC 2 Type 2 certification. This validates that the tool meets rigorous standards for security, availability, and confidentiality over time — not just at a single point. The certification reflects a proven track record of secure practices, giving organizations assurance that the tool operates under a compliant and secure framework.

  • Digitally Signed Scripts with Sectigo

All deployment scripts for the ChromeOS Readiness Tool are digitally signed by Sectigo, a globally trusted certificate authority. This signature ensures the integrity and authenticity of every script — so organizations can verify that the deployment packages have not been altered or tampered with. It’s a key safeguard that adds confidence to enterprise-scale rollouts.

  • GDPR Compliance

The ChromeOS Readiness Tool is designed in alignment with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Its data collection and processing mechanisms follow best practices for transparency, user privacy, and lawful handling of information — particularly for EU-based organizations. While not certified, the tool’s architecture reflects a thorough internal analysis to ensure GDPR-aligned operation.

Enterprise-Grade Deployment Flexibility

ChromeOS Readiness Tool  is designed to accommodate various organizational structures:

  • PowerShell Script Deployment Ideal for both small teams and large enterprises, PowerShell scripts enable quick, customizable deployment across user devices. These scripts are digitally signed by Sectigo, ensuring authenticity and guarding against tampering during distribution or execution. IT administrators can easily roll out the tool while maintaining strict governance and security policies.

  • Active Directory (AD) Integration For enterprises with centralized user and device management, ChromeOS Readiness Tool supports seamless integration with Active Directory. This allows IT teams to deploy the tool in a controlled, authenticated environment, ensuring only trusted endpoints are included in the assessment process. AD integration also makes it easier to apply role-based access controls, further strengthening security.

These deployment options ensure that ChromeOS Readiness Tool can be tailored to meet the specific security and operational needs of your organization.

Centralized Reporting with Security in Mind

ChromeOS Readiness Tool’s ability to generate centralized reports from multiple devices provides comprehensive insights while maintaining data security:

  • Encrypted Data Collection: All data collected from user devices is encrypted, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected during aggregation and analysis.

  • Secure Dashboard Access: The web dashboard, used for displaying readiness reports, requires proper authentication and possession of the private key, ensuring that only authorized users can access the compiled data.

By integrating these comprehensive security measures, the ChromeOS Readiness Tool ensures that your organization's data remains protected throughout the migration assessment process. Whether you choose on-premises storage or cloud-based solutions,  ChromeOS Readiness Tool provides the flexibility and security necessary for a confident transition to ChromeOS.

For more information and to get started with the ChromeOS Readiness Tool, visit the official website.

What is the ChromeOS Readiness Tool, and Why Your Business Needs It (4)
May 9, 2025

Understanding Readiness Statuses of ChromeOS Readiness Tool

Switching to ChromeOS? Wondering if your apps and devices are up for the task? The ChromeOS Readiness Tool  takes out the guesswork with clear, actionable readiness statuses. In this blog, we’ll unpack what each status means—so you know exactly where you stand and what steps to take next for a seamless transition.

When preparing to migrate to ChromeOS, one of the key challenges organizations face is ensuring their apps and devices are fully compatible. The ChromeOS Readiness Tool (CRT) simplifies this process by clearly classifying the readiness of both applications and devices—helping you take the right action at the right time.

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what these readiness statuses mean and why they matter.

Device Readiness Statuses

ChromeOS Readiness Tool categorizes devices into three clear statuses:

  • Ready to Switch: The device is fully compatible and ready for transition to ChromeOS without any issues.

  • Ready with Verification: The device is compatible with ChromeOS, but additional verification or testing is recommended to ensure full functionality and performance.

  • Blocked from Switching: The device has critical applications that prevent it from being compatible with ChromeOS. Switching is not recommended at this time.

Application Readiness Statuses

For applications, ChromeOS Readiness Tool provides the following classifications:

  • Chrome Ready: The application is fully compatible and ready to run on ChromeOS without any issues.

  • Possibly Ready: The application may work on ChromeOS, but it might require additional configuration or adjustments.

  • Blockers: Significant issues prevent the application from running on ChromeOS. These issues need to be addressed before the app can be used.

  • Unknown: The ChromeOS Readiness Tool team is continuously working on enhancing the tool by updating its database with new solutions and compatibility data to improve accuracy and provide better guidance over time.

 Why Are These Statuses Important?

These readiness statuses give IT teams a clear roadmap for ChromeOS migration:

  • You’ll know which devices and apps are fully ready to deploy right away.

  • You can identify items that need extra testing to ensure smooth operation.

  • You’ll be alerted to critical blockers that must be resolved or replaced to prevent disruptions.

By following these statuses, you can minimize surprises and confidently manage your transition to ChromeOS.

What is the ChromeOS Readiness Tool, and Why Your Business Needs It (3)
May 8, 2025

5 Ways ChromeOS Accelerates Digital Transformation

Digital transformation has become a critical imperative for businesses seeking agility, security, and competitive advantage in today’s fast-evolving landscape. ChromeOS, Google’s cloud-native operating system, is emerging as a powerful catalyst for this transformation, enabling organizations to modernize operations, enhance productivity, and reduce costs with remarkable efficiency.

Here are five key ways ChromeOS drives digital transformation:

1. Cost-Effective Modernization and Sustainability

ChromeOS enables organizations to extend the life of existing hardware through solutions like ChromeOS Flex, which can be installed on legacy PCs and Macs. This reduces e-waste and cuts down on the need for expensive new hardware purchases. ChromeOS devices also consume 46% less energy than comparable devices and receive up to 10 years of automatic updates, supporting both financial and environmental sustainability goals.

2. Enhanced Security by Design

Security is a cornerstone of ChromeOS digital transformation. The operating system employs a multi-layered defense strategy, including sandboxing, verified boot, and automatic updates, which dramatically reduce the risk of malware and cyber threats. ChromeOS's architecture eliminates the need for many third-party security solutions, streamlining IT management and boosting organizational security posture.

3. Seamless Cloud Integration and Collaboration

ChromeOS is built for the cloud, which means employees can access their work from anywhere, on any device. Integration with Google Workspace enables real-time collaboration, live editing, and unified communication through tools like Google Meet, Gmail, and Google Chat. This fosters a dynamic, collaborative environment essential for remote and hybrid work models.

4. Rapid Deployment and Simplified Management

Organizations can deploy ChromeOS devices quickly and at scale, thanks to features like zero-touch enrollment. IT teams benefit from centralized cloud-based management, reducing administrative overhead and allowing for faster onboarding and device provisioning. ChromeOS’s intuitive interface also minimizes the learning curve, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.

5. Scalability for Growing Enterprises

With cloud-based device management and zero-touch enrollment, organizations can provision and deploy hundreds or even thousands of devices with minimal manual effort. Whether onboarding new employees across multiple locations or transitioning to remote work, ChromeOS allows IT teams to apply consistent policies, manage updates, and monitor endpoints all from a centralized console. Its seamless integration with cloud services and virtual desktop infrastructures (VDIs) ensures that enterprises can scale operations without being bogged down by legacy systems or hardware limitations. This agility is essential for any enterprise navigating digital transformation in a fast-paced, competitive environment.

ChromeOS is more than an operating system. It’s a strategic accelerator for digital transformation. By combining cloud-native agility, enterprise-grade security, cost efficiency, and workforce flexibility, it empowers businesses to innovate with confidence. As organizations worldwide embrace cloud-first strategies, ChromeOS stands out as the optimal platform to drive sustainable growth in the digital age.

What is the ChromeOS Readiness Tool, and Why Your Business Needs It (2)
May 7, 2025

Understanding the ChromeOS Readiness Tool and Preparing Your Business for a Smooth Transition

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations are continually seeking efficient, secure, and cost-effective solutions for their IT infrastructure. Transitioning to cloud-based operating systems like ChromeOS offers numerous advantages, but the migration process can be daunting without the right tools. To ease the ChromeOS migration journey, the ChromeOS Readiness Tool offers a streamlined way to evaluate compatibility and ensure a smooth transition 

Understanding the ChromeOS Readiness Tool

The ChromeOS Readiness Tool is a comprehensive compatibility assessment solution that evaluates your organization's current IT environment to determine its readiness for transitioning to ChromeOS. By analyzing application usage, device compatibility, and peripheral integration, the tool provides actionable insights to facilitate a smooth migration process.​

Key Features and Benefits

1. Comprehensive Compatibility Assessment

The tool meticulously analyzes your existing Windows Applications, identifying which are ready for ChromeOS and which may require additional support. It categorizes applications into three groups: 

  • ChromeOS-ready

  • Possibly ready

  • Blocker

providing a clear roadmap for migration.

2. Secure and Private Data Handling

Data security is paramount. The ChromeOS Readiness Tool ensures that all collected data remains within your organization. Utilizing AES and RSA encryption protocols, the tool guarantees that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information.

3. Flexible Deployment Options

Whether your organization operates with Active Directory or Unified Endpoint Management systems, the tool offers flexible installation methods.

  • Enterprise Installation: Ideal for environments leveraging Active Directory and GPOs, with support for on-premise infrastructure and network-shared folder storage

  • PowerShell Installation: Designed for setups with UEM systems, utilizing cloud-based infrastructure. 

4. Intuitive Web Dashboard

The web-based dashboard provides a user-friendly interface to monitor readiness status across the organization. 

Features include:

  • The web-based dashboard provides a user-friendly interface to monitor readiness status across the organization. 

  • Provides a high-level readiness score, including detailed breakdowns by compatibility status and application usage across the organization.

  • Displays real-time compatibility assessments for individual devices, helping IT teams identify which systems are ready for ChromeOS or ChromeOS Flex.

  • Offers detailed insights into connected peripherals, highlighting their compatibility status and readiness for use with ChromeOS Flex.

  • Captures comprehensive browser insights, including browser usage, browser version data, and extension details.

  • Identifies applications that require virtualization and recommends supported virtualization solutions to enable continued access on ChromeOS.

5. Expert Recommendations

Beyond assessment, the tool offers tailored advice based on your organization's specific needs, ensuring a strategic approach to migration. 

Why Your Business Needs the ChromeOS Readiness Tool

1. Streamlined Migration Process

By providing a clear understanding of your current IT landscape, the tool eliminates guesswork, allowing for a more efficient transition to ChromeOS.​

2. Cost and Time Efficiency

Identifying potential challenges early in the migration process saves both time and resources, reducing downtime and associated costs.​

3. Enhanced Security Posture

With ChromeOS's built-in security features and the tool's secure data handling, organizations can strengthen their overall security framework.

4. Future-Proofing IT Infrastructure

Embracing ChromeOS positions your organization at the forefront of cloud-based innovation, ensuring scalability and adaptability in a dynamic digital environment.​

Getting Started

Embarking on your ChromeOS migration journey is straightforward.

  1. Visit the Official Website: Access the tool at chromeosreadinesstool.com

  2. Schedule a Demo: Understand how the tool aligns with your organization's needs.​

  3. Choose Your Installation Method: Select between Enterprise or PowerShell installations based on your infrastructure.​

  4. Analyze and Plan: Utilize the insights provided to strategize your migration effectively.

Start your journey toward a smarter and smoother ChromeOS migration. Experience the Readiness Tool today.