Framework Business Process
Earlier this year, we launched a pilot focused on sustainable computing, partnered with Framework. The framing, context and goals of this initiative are outlined in the following two articles:
This article will aim to provide an update on the pilot, including details regarding our findings (e.g., principles, processes, asset management, technology, etc.)
As a reminder, the scope of our pilot covers Framework Laptop 13 and Framework Laptop 16, targeting a range of business personas. In the context of the Framework Laptop 13, we have selected the AMD Ryzen series. In our testing, this product delivers better performance and battery life, alongside additional benefits such as an integrated NPU (not overly useful today, but something to consider as on-device AI becomes more prevalent).
Objective
Today, enterprise business laptops (e.g., Dell, Lenovo, Apple) have an “appliance-like” design and manufacturing process. Therefore, if a laptop is “broken”, the entire laptop must be replaced.
The laptop itself is rarely broken beyond repair, usually, it is a single component that has failed. The most common issues are related to the display, keyboard, trackpad or battery.
The same logic can be applied to upgrades and life cycle management, recognising that current business processes require the entire laptop to be replaced every three to four years.
We believe that sustainable computing can fundamentally change the traditional model for end-user devices (specificlly laptops), delivering greater user flexibility and lower costs, whilst reducing our environmental impact.
Principles
To be successful at scale within an enterprise business, the provisioning and servicing processes of any device must be simple. For example, although technically possible, asking a business user to manually service their device would be considered unacceptable (imagine a business executive opening their Framework laptop to replace a faulty trackpad).
As a result, we anchored on five key principles.
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The end-user experience must be frictionless, with all servicing requirements managed transparently as a back-office process. Therefore, no end user will need to service (build, repair or upgrade) a laptop, outside of user-swappable components.
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The laptop is a collection of components. Asset management occurs at the component level.
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No impact on provisioning, endpoint management or security processes, policies and standards. New laptops will be shipped pre-built, and enrolled via Windows Autopilot.
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User-swappable components will be shipped. Servicing will occur at specific hub locations (not via a third-party provider).
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The concept of life cycle management is removed, extending the usable life of laptops. Laptop maintenance and upgrades occur ad-hoc at a component level.
Although these principles place a heavier emphasis on IT, evidence suggests any resource/cost impact can be mitigated with the appropriate forethought.
Processes
Testing confirms that our current provisioning and de-provisioning processes can remain unchanged (standardised for all laptops). This is made possible thanks to our use of PC-as-a-Service, which incorporates technologies such as Windows Autopilot and Microsoft Intune.
For example, a new pre-built laptop will be shipped by Framework directly to the user (or via a value added reseller) and automatically enrolled using Windows Autopilot. Therefore, the user simply authenticates over the Internet to synchronise their configuration, applications, data, etc.
However, the servicing and/or upgrade process includes new steps that target a “zero waste” outcome, whilst protecting the user experience (time to resolve). The flow below highlights the proposed process.
This process acknowledges the availability of “user-swappable components” (unique to Framework), which cover any component that can be installed without a screwdriver (specific components listed below). These components will be shipped to the user upon request.
Advanced servicing would happen at a hub location, either by shipping the laptop or locally if the user is within a 30-mile radius. If remote, users will be shipped a new (refurbished) laptop to avoid any downtime, with their existing laptop being repaired or dissasembled for use as spare parts (zero waste).
Asset Management
Unlike current laptops, asset management with a Framework will occur at the component level, with each compeonent being associated with a “parent” that represents the laptop itself. In the event of a servicing requirement, the individual component(s) will be replaced, transferring the component’s unique identifier. The diagram below highlights this process, which is facilitated by Framework via their hardware serialisation capabilities.
Only electrical components (e.g., Memory, SSD) will be uniquely tracked via a serial number, with mechanical components (e.g., top cover, hinges) being tracked for stock quantity.
New laptops will be provisioned pre-built (not DIY), with any unused components being maintained at the nearest hub location as stock.
Technical Testing
The Framework target specification includes two laptops, covering “Business Standard” and “Business Performance”.
Business Standard
- Framework Laptop 13
- AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS 4.9GHz (6C/12T)
- 16GB DDR5-5600 (2x8GB) Memory
- Western Digital Black SN770 NVMe 2280 500GB (~5,15GB/s Read)
- AMD Radeon 760M (8C)
- AMD Ryzen AI Engine (10 TOPS)
- Keyboard
- Bezel (Black)
- 13.5-inch 3:2 Display (2256x1504 @ 60Hz)
- 1080p 60fps Camera
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
- Fingerprint Reader (FIDO2 Compatible)
- Microsoft Pluton Security Processor (TPM 2.0 Compatible)
- 60W Power Adapter (USB-C)
- 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x HDMI
Business Performance
- Framework Laptop 16
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS 5.1GHz (8C/16T)
- 32GB DDR5-5600 (2x16GB) Memory
- Western Digital Black SN850X NVMe 2280 1TB (7.2GB/s Read)
- AMD Radeon 780M (12C)
- AMD Ryzen AI Engine (10 TOPS)
- Optional: Expansion Module AMD Radeon RX 7700S 8GB GDDR6
- Keyboard
- Input Spacers (Black)
- Bezel (Black)
- 16-inch 16:10 Display (2560x1600 @ 165Hz VRR/FreeSync)
- 1080p 60fps Camera
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2
- Fingerprint Reader (FIDO2 Compatible)
- Microsoft Pluton Security Processor (TPM 2.0 Compatible)
- 180W Power Adapter (USB-C)
- 3x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x HDMI, 1x Audio
The table below outlines the components that have been individually tested (serviced/replaced), verifying software integrity, provisioning (Windows Autopilot), endpoint management (Microsoft Intune) and security.
Non-electrical components (e.g., top cover, hinges) were also tested. However, these have no impact on software integrity, provisioning, endpoint management or security.
The average time to service a component is approximately 20 minutes, requiring no specialist expertise.
Conclusion
Overall, we believe we have proven the concept of sustainable computing within an enterprise business as viable.
Our estimates highlight significant savings when compared to traditional laptops (e.g., Dell, Lenovo), especially when considering the total cost of ownership over ten years. The same logic can be applied to sustainability, where we expect to be able to extend the usable life by a minimum of 33%, resulting in substantial CO2 equivalent savings.
As a result, we have begun discussions with Nirav and the team at Framework to scale in 2024.
However, it is important to acknowledge that Framework is still in its infancy as a business, with its primary focus continuing to be the consumer market. Therefore, Framework are not ready for global scale, with limitations regarding availability and distribution. To mitigate any risk to our business, scale will occur alongside traditional life cycle management events, incrementally shifting to the new model (with a robust backup in the event of issues).
Viable personas/geographies will be targeted and prioritized. The goal is to have ~1500 Framework laptops deployed by the end of 2024, and up to ~4000 laptops by the end of 2025.
Exciting times ahead! Thanks again to the team at Framework, specifically Nirav, Chris, and Marissa.