Riverbed & Intel: Deepening Visibility & Enhancing Digital Experiences

Riverbed, a leader in AI-driven observability, has unveiled an innovative solution—Riverbed Aternity for Intel® Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi. This new offering uniquely integrates observability into devices equipped with Intel Thunderbolt and Intel Wi-Fi technologies, providing IT teams with deep insights into user experiences. By combining Aternity’s advanced analytics with Intel’s Connectivity Analytics software development kit (SDK), this solution empowers organizations to track device performance beyond the typical laptop or PC, enhancing digital experiences for end users.

Addressing Agent Fatigue and Data Capture Challenges

The new observability module, powered by Intel Connectivity Analytics, represents a significant milestone as the first third-party component within the Riverbed Unified Agent platform. This feature helps businesses overcome agent fatigue by capturing essential data without the need to deploy additional agents. This reduces complexity and increases efficiency for IT teams, enabling them to monitor devices more effectively.

“I'm thrilled to announce the next chapter in Riverbed’s partnership with Intel,” said Dave Donatelli, CEO of Riverbed. “We’re unveiling a first-of-its-kind solution to expand observability beyond the PC into connected devices with Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi technologies, providing IT teams with new levels of visibility across the device ecosystem that will enhance digital experiences for millions of employees. With this innovation, we’re addressing the “black box” effect where IT is left guessing and relying on manual troubleshooting. This co-developed solution furthers Riverbed’s market-leading AI-powered Digital Experience Platform, which provides full-fidelity observability data across the entire IT landscape—devices, networks, apps, end-user experience, and into blind spots including cloud, mobile devices and Zero Trust architectures.”

“We are excited to deepen our collaboration with Riverbed, driving innovation that transforms the IT landscape,” said Eric McLaughlin, Vice President and General Manager of the Connectivity Solutions Group at Intel. “By integrating Intel Connectivity Analytics technology with Riverbed's analytics and telemetry, we’re enhancing observability and changing the way organizations manage performance for devices with Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi technologies. Together, we are empowering IT teams with the insights they need to optimize digital experiences, quickly resolve issues before they impact end users, and better navigate the complexities of modern digital environments.”

Importance of Intel Technologies in Enterprise Environments

With the vast majority of enterprise work now occurring on Intel-powered laptops and desktops, Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi technologies are crucial for high-performance computing. Whether for data-heavy industries or everyday office and remote work, these technologies are relied upon by employees worldwide. Thunderbolt facilitates seamless connections to peripherals like monitors, keyboards, and storage devices, while Wi-Fi enables mobility across home, office, and public spaces. Despite the widespread use of device management tools like Riverbed Aternity, many organizations struggle with lacking real-time visibility into the performance of connected devices utilizing Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi.

Enhancing IT Team Capabilities with Real-Time Monitoring

Riverbed Aternity for Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi addresses the challenges faced by IT teams in managing the complexity of modern enterprise connectivity. By integrating Intel Connectivity Analytics, this solution provides organizations with proactive monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities, ensuring smooth device performance and optimal user experience. IT teams can now identify and resolve connectivity and configuration issues that impact productivity, enabling a more seamless working environment for employees.

Deep Dive into Telemetry and Data Analysis

The Intel Connectivity Analytics SDK is the backbone of this new module, offering in-depth analysis of crucial performance metrics, events, and configuration data from devices running on Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi technologies. This data, when combined with Riverbed Aternity’s End User Experience (EUE) solution, strengthens organizations’ Digital Employee Experience (DEX) capabilities, providing richer insights into employee productivity and device performance.

Key Features of the Riverbed Aternity Solution

Riverbed Aternity for Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi includes a suite of advanced tools designed to enhance employee experience and optimize device performance:

> Intuitive Dashboards: The solution features easy-to-navigate dashboards that deliver real-time event monitoring, issue identification, and relevant data, enabling rapid insights into system performance.

> Automated Remediations: The solution comes with pre-built automated actions that address common issues such as driver updates, firmware corrections, and network optimizations. These automated responses reduce troubleshooting times and improve overall user satisfaction.

Availability Timeline

The Riverbed Aternity for Intel Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi solution will be available on a limited basis starting in Q4 2024. General availability is expected by Q1 2025, offering broader access to the solution’s powerful features and benefits for organizations looking to enhance their IT management capabilities.