Desktop Virtualization is a revolutionary data center alternative to the traditional desktop or workstation. Desktop virtualization operates in very much the same way as server virtualization in that it decouples the traditional one-to-one relationship between a piece of hardware and the operating system or applications that run there. This allows consolidation of desktop resources into the data center, allowing greater efficiency, reduced costs and greater security. Desktop virtualization can be applied locally, hosted from a central location or hosted from a cloud model.
The virtual desktop runs independent of the underlying hardware and can be accessed by a number of means, thus extending availability and freedom.
The momentum behind the desktop virtualization surge is fueled by both economic considerations and the availability of technologies that make desktop virtualization a viable alternative to the traditional desktop. From a strategic viewpoint, there are three major factors that make the timing and conditions perfect to consider a desktop virtualization project:
Key Partners HP, VMware, Red Hat, Citrix, Microsoft
The foundation layer is in place: The maturing server virtualization market has introduced even the smallest organization to the overall concept of virtualization and the software’s ability to increase hardware utilization and centralize management tasks. In particular, IT organizations that have already deployed a server virtualization infrastructure should be able to build a compelling business case for extending that infrastructure to include desktop virtualization, utilizing their previous work as a foundation and reference point.
The continued push by companies to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for their technology: The global economic slowdown has increased the pressure on CIOs, Directors and IT managers to recalibrate the expectations of their technology, both in the data center and in the hands of their employees. Desktop virtualization directly addresses the push for improved specific user and security profile management, as well as provide a solution for archiving information and data necessary for compliance initiatives.
Interest in better disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity (BC) strategies: Hosted desktop virtualization brings the desktop into the data center, where data and applications can regularly be archived. It plays into DR scenarios by enabling employees to do their jobs even if they can’t go to the office.
Virtualization Moves from the Back Office to the Front Office
IDC discusses new opportunities for reducing client management costs and improving enterprise security while increasing resource utilization through the use of new enterprise architectures enabled by virtual servers, streaming desktop PC images, and enterprise thin clients: a combination that creates virtual clients. Click here to download PDF.
Remote Client Solutions: The Multiplication of Virtualization Technologies
This White Paper analyzes the various models of IT infrastructure available today and how they compare with the traditional distributed infrastructure, and what ROI can be expected from the deployment of thin clients. It examines how HP's Remote Client Solutions address the various IT infrastructure models. A case study on the impact of thin clients is provided at the end of the document. Click here to download PDF.
VMware TCO Calculator
Independently developed by leading ROI/TCO Consultancy Firm, Alinean to quantify potential cost savings.
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