ChromeOS Device Management: The Enterprise IT Fast Track

We know you're busy, so let's get straight to the point on managing your ChromeOS fleet in an enterprise environment via the Google Admin Console.

 

1. The foundation: Licensing and fleet access

Centralized management is unlocked by a license. The article clarifies your three primary license options for provisioning a ChromeOS fleet:

 

• Chrome Enterprise Upgrade (CEU): This is the standalone license (annual) you purchase separately for any standard ChromeOS device to bring it under enterprise control.

• Chromebook Enterprise (CBE): These devices come with the CEU license embedded for the life of the hardware. This offers a zero-touch, perpetual management solution right out of the box, streamlining large-scale deployment.

• Kiosk & Signage Upgrade: This is designed specifically for ChromeOS devices used as single-purpose kiosks (like self-service terminals) or digital signage displays. The licenses can either be purchased separately (annual) or bundled with the device (perpetual).

Once the appropriate license is secured, enrollment links the physical device to your domain, granting you the full suite of policy controls.

 

2. Core control: Policies, security, and networking

 

The power of the Admin Console is the ability to enforce settings based on who is signing in and which device they are using:

 

• Security & data protection: Enforce enterprise-grade policies like Forced Re-enrollment (preventing unmanaged use after a wipe), remote device disablement for lost assets, and strict sign-in restrictions (e.g., only allowing users from your corporate domain).

• Seamless network access: Remotely push necessary Wi-Fi profiles, proxy settings, and VPN certificates directly to devices. This ensures employees connect securely to internal resources immediately upon sign-in, regardless of location.

• Software distribution: Maintain a secure and standardized environment by force-installing, pinning, or blocking corporate web apps, PWAs, and extensions.

3. Example Enterprise Use Cases

 

ChromeOS devices can excel in a range of environments where the device has a dedicated, shared, or public-facing role:

 

• Kiosk mode: Dedicate a Chromebase or Chromebox to run a single, purpose-built application, such as a retail Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, a corporate visitor sign-in app, or a dedicated inventory scanner in a warehouse.

• Managed Guest sessions: Control shared-use devices in environments like office reception areas, business centers, or hot-desking stations. Sessions are non-account based, with all user data wiped upon logout, ensuring privacy and a fresh, secure device for the next user.

• Logged in user: Allow individual employees to sign in with their managed enterprise account (e.g., Google Workspace), providing a personalized, secure, and fully managed desktop experience. User data and settings are synced to the cloud, enabling quick, seamless migration to a replacement device and ensuring all corporate security policies and access controls are enforced. 

Real-World Application

 

The power of ChromeOS management comes from applying these policies dynamically across your organization:

 

• Deployment example: Imagine provisioning new corporate laptops. You use the Admin Console to force-install the VPN extension and push the corporate Wi-Fi profile to the Corporate Devices Organizational Unit (OU). The employee receives the device, signs in, and everything is instantly configured.

 

For more information check out the article in the Help Center: About ChromeOS Device Management

 

And continue on through our Getting Started User Guides to the left.