Internet browsers are getting a makeover for the workplace

livemint.com:

More companies are rethinking the internet browser, the decades-old desktop application that carries an increasingly heavy enterprise workload. Designed and built originally for consumers, browsers can now connect to an array of workplace applications, from customer relationship management software to videoconferencing.

But getting apps secured and ready to run on a commercial browser can take a lot of time, dollars and complexity, often involving virtual private networks or virtual desktop setups, that sometimes sacrifice user experience for security. “It could be a considerable lift to get there," said Brian Coleman, senior director of global information security and digital forensics at Pfizer, about getting apps ready to run on a commercial browser.

“There are inherent gaps." Hoping to fill those gaps, some software companies are offering browsing capabilities specifically designed for the workplace, with security controls built in and better integration of enterprise apps. They include established players like Google and Microsoft as well as startups, like Island, founded in 2020, and Here, formerly OpenFin, which was founded in 2010 and released its enterprise browser this year.

The path to becoming more enterprise-grade has been a focus of the browser industry for a few years now, said Robert Shield, director of engineering for Google’s Chrome Enterprise unit. Chrome Enterprise Core, which has been around since late 2020, is a cloud management service that sits on top of Google Chrome and provides security capabilities.