Why DEX Tools Are Like Groceries

Gartner analyst Stu Downes shared a scroll-stopping analogy on LinkedIn: “DEX Tools are like groceries.” Specifically, he likened implementing a DEX tool to receiving six months’ worth of groceries at once, while your IT team’s capacity is the space in your kitchen cupboards. It’s an intriguing comparison that got me thinking. Let’s unpack (ha!) this grocery metaphor and see how it applies to Digital Employee Experience tools.

The Bulk Buy Challenge

Stu’s analogy hits the nail on the head. Bringing in a comprehensive DEX tool is indeed like a massive grocery haul. It’s exciting—all that potential!—but it could also be overwhelming. Where do you put it all? How do you use it effectively before it goes bad? Which items can it replace that have been in your cupboard for years? How many recipes could you make, and which ingredients are needed to create a dish your family will love? The list goes on.

One solution is a phased deployment.

You wouldn’t—couldn’t—use all those groceries at once. Similarly, rolling out your DEX capabilities in phases ensures you’re not overwhelming your team or your systems. It allows for proper integration, training, and adaptation.

Here’s a snapshot of what that might look like:

• Start small with agent deployment and telemetry capture.
• Later phases focused on remediation and automation. 
• Down the road, phases may include replacing existing tools and integrating them with other systems. 

Prioritize ‘Time to Value’

A phased structure allows value from day one. Critically, it facilitates that value without overloading the teams tasked with deployment and management.

“Time to value” is a huge differentiating factor within DEX tools. To borrow from our grocery metaphor, how fast can you shop, check out, unpack, and start creating meals? There’s a reason busy people default to ready-made meals instead of taking on a recipe that requires dozens of steps and days of attention.

When a DEX tool has ample integrations, OoB templates, reports, and remediation scripts, you can get that proverbial food on the table much more quickly and easily. Less time. Lower effort. Fewer hassles. Fewer burned ingredients and messy dishes.

More Than Meets the Aisle

The more I thought about Stu’s analogy, the more I realised just how much DEX tools and groceries have in common. The DEX space can be enigmatic, so I love the opportunity to connect it to something we’re all familiar with. Here are a few more ways DEX tools are like groceries:

1. Budget vs. quality

   Just as we debate organic vs. regular produce, DEX tools pose similar questions. Sometimes, the premium option pays off big time. Other times, the budget choice does the job. The key? Don’t automatically go for the cheapest option. Ask yourself: Is it really a good value if it’s headed straight for the digital compost bin?

2. Freshness matters

   Nobody wants expired milk, right? The same goes for your DEX toolkit. Stale tech is as appetizing as week-old bread. Keeping your DEX tools updated is crucial, but it’s more than that. It’s about being willing to move beyond legacy solutions to tech that supports where you’re going, not just where you’ve been.

   A critical note here: it’s not all about newness. DEX solutions should provide support for both legacy and new digital workspaces. CloudPC support, Unified comms, Azure, and Sustainability are all excellent examples of recent market changes that a DEX solution must accommodate. The right solution will make things simpler, not more complicated. In many cases, DEX tools can replace some of your existing tools, such as RMM, Remote control, and even endpoint security tools.

3. Versatility = value

   Remember buying that exotic spice for one recipe, never to use it again? The best DEX tools are like versatile ingredients that star in multiple “meals.” Look for solutions that can detect, analyze, and remediate problems versus single-task resources.

   For example, at ControlUp, we talk about the 3 C’s: Collect, Connect, and Correct. Too many tools stop at “Collect,” meaning they acquire data, but you’re left producing and analyzing reports, administering remediations, etc. That’s more work, not less. It’s like having a cart full of groceries with nowhere to put it and no recipes to use.

4. Consider storage and prep

   Toss veggies in the back of the fridge, and eventually, you’ll have a science experiment on your hands. Similarly, dumping DEX tools into your tech stack without proper integration is a recipe for disaster. Proper implementation and management are key. Pro tip: opt for DEX tools designed to work seamlessly in the background without constant attention.

5. Prioritize speed and usability

   We’ve all probably attempted a recipe that took far too long and wasn’t worth the hassle. Your DEX tools should be the opposite—intuitive, user-friendly, and efficient. After all, experience is the whole point of DEX. Look for tools that operate in real-time, not just spot-check occasionally.

6. Seek loyalty bonuses

   Just like your favorite supermarket rewards you for returning to the same store every week, choose DEX vendors that reward loyalty and offer something in return. Quarterly business reviews, roadmap sessions, customer councils, community forums, and access to product management are all great examples of engagements that a good DEX vendor may be willing to offer.

Final Thought

DEX tools, like groceries, are a daily necessity. Neglect either, and things quickly go downhill. As you ponder your DEX strategy, think of it as curating the perfect digital pantry. What are your staples? Where should you splurge for quality? How do you combine tools for a five-star employee experience?

Get it right, and you’ll have a team that’s well-fed, productive, and not eyeing your competitors’ menu. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some digital grocery shopping to do—one aisle at a time.