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Vendor Round Table
Desktop Virtualisation
sepTember 2011
Top Desktop Virtualisation Vendors Answer IT’s Questions
Why you should read this document:
This guide is designed to help you evaluate desktop virtualisation solutions based on a series of questions posed to today’s top vendors, including:
• Description of current offering, including delivery model and solution architecture.
• Which usage scenarios the solution is best suited for, including mobile.
• How the solution handles compute load, graphics, web server load, and more.
• How the solution balances user expectations with the need for security.
Vendor Round Table
Desktop VirtualisationDesktop Virtualisation Vendors Answer IT’s Questions sepTember 2011
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 2
3 Introduction
4 Intel Guidance on Vendor Selection
5 Participating Vendors
6 Vendor Responses to IT Questions
36 Intel Resources for Learning More
Contents
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 3
This guide is designed to help you evaluate desktop virtualisation software vendors by letting you compare their answers to common IT questions.
Introduction
IT departments are increasingly turning to desktop virtualisation to help them achieve an important equilibrium: balancing their need to exert more control over the client platform, so they can simplify management and rein in costs, with their users’ desire for more flexibility and greater choice in end points and applications. But many IT professionals are daunted by the complexity of the desktop virtualisation ISV landscape. The possibilities are many, and so are the software vendors. We created this guide to help you evaluate different desktop virtualisation solutions by enabling you to compare vendor answers across a standard set of questions.
Based on Intel’s experience implementing desktop virtualisation in our own organisation, we compiled a list of questions IT professionals typically ask as they start researching vendor solutions. We then posed these questions to six desktop virtualisation vendors: three long-time players in the desktop virtualisation space (Citrix, Microsoft, and VMware) and three newer companies (Scense, Virtual Computer, and Wanova). This document compiles their responses.
Desktop Virtualisation Resources from IntelThe Desktop Virtualisation Vendor Round Table is part of a series of documents produced by Intel to help IT professionals plan and implement desktop virtualisation in their own organisations. This series includes the following:
• Desktop Virtualisation planning Guide. Four steps to planning a desktop virtualisation implementation, based on the experience of Intel’s IT department.
• Desktop Virtualisation earns Its stripes:
Insights from Intel’s IT benchmarking survey on
Desktop Virtualisation. Survey of IT professionals that discusses the business and technology drivers behind their desktop virtualisation plans, how they plan to measure return on investment (ROI), and which delivery models and software vendors they are considering.
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 4
Desktop virtualisation is a collection of techniques—including streaming, remoting, virtualising, and layering. Desktop virtualisation software solutions apply some or all of these techniques to full desktop images or to applications. The resulting entities are administered and managed by IT through centralised management consoles. While desktop virtualisation offers many benefits, it is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. There are multiple delivery models, and it’s very likely that the best solution for your company will be a combination of two or more of these models.
When choosing the right desktop virtualisation solution for your needs, Intel recommends the following:
• First analyse your user base and then group users into segments by specific usage scenarios. You can then analyse the right approach to desktop virtualisation according to each segment’s particular needs.
• Evaluate the different delivery options available. Desktop virtualisation encompasses both server-side and client-side virtualisation options, as well as both thin-client and intelligent-client options.
• Determine whether the specific issues you are trying to address are best solved by virtualisation at the application level or the image level. In this case, an “image” is the complete package of the operating system, applications, and user data and settings. Some compute models solve application issues, while others solve image issues.
• Calculate the infrastructure requirements of vendor options and determine the level of investment they require. Infrastructure components to account for include:
- Servers - Storage - Data centre space, power, and cooling - Network bandwidth - Security - Manageability - Disaster recovery - Image and licence management
• Analyse the maturity of your IT department. Some vendor solutions for desktop virtualisation are quite complex and appropriate only for mature IT departments to implement and maintain. Before you commit to a particular vendor solution, do a thorough evaluation in as close to a production environment as possible. Implement proof-of-concept projects and pilots to determine if the vendor solution will meet your business needs.
Intel Guidance on Vendor Selection
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Participating VendorsThroughout this guide, vendors are listed in alphabetical order.
Vendor Product For More Information
XenDesktop* citrix.com/XenDesktop
Multiple products microsoft.com/DV
Workspace Management scense.com
NxTop* virtualcomputer.com
VMware* View vmware.com/products/
Mirage* wanova.com
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Vendor Responses to IT Questions
1. Briefly describe your desktop virtualisation offering, including its delivery model and solution architecture.
2. What is the value proposition of your solution?
3. Which usage scenario(s) is your solution best suited for?
4. Does your solution support mobile users? How?
5. How does your offering handle workload considerations such as compute load, graphics, application growth, delay sensitivity, and web server load?
6. How do you balance user expectations with the need for security?
7. What is the ongoing total cost of ownership (TCO) for deploying and maintaining your offering?
8. What type of ROI can organisations expect from your solution?
9. What hardware and accompanying technologies do you recommend? What end-point devices can be used with your offering?
10. How does your solution simplify the lives of IT professionals?
11. What steps should IT pros take to begin planning for and implementing your solution?
12. How do you work with customers? Describe your engagement processes.
13. For IT pros who have already implemented server virtualisation: How does your desktop virtualisation offering fit in?
14. Describe your pricing and licensing model.
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Citrix* XenDesktop* lets you create virtualised desktops and then make them available to users on demand through any device. XenDesktop includes Citrix HDX* and FlexCast* technologies. FlexCast enables IT to deliver multiple types of virtual desktops, including hosted shared, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), streamed, and local virtual machine (VM) virtual desktops. Each virtual desktop can be tailored to meet the performance, security, and flexibility requirements of individual users.
The Citrix Modular Architecture provides a foundation for building a scalable VDI. The modular architecture creates a single design for a data centre, integrating all FlexCast models.
• The Control Module manages user access and virtual desktop allocation. • The Desktop Module integrates all FlexCast models into the modular architecture. • The Imaging Module provides the virtual desktops with the master desktop image.
Numerous options exist for all three levels because users have different requirements, and the technology must align with the users’ needs.
Microsoft* Desktop Virtualisation provides a suite of solutions through which companies can enable their employees to work anywhere, on a range of devices, while simplifying compliance and management through a centralised infrastructure. Microsoft’s portfolio of desktop virtualisation solutions provides a mix of virtualisation options.
User-state layer• Microsoft User State Virtualisation (USV): User data and settings are transferred to a centralised data centre,
enabling users to access their data and settings from any corporate PC.
Application layer• Microsoft Application Virtualisation (App-V): Provides user access to applications available on any authorised
PC without application installs.• Microsoft RemoteApp*: Allows users to access centrally hosted applications that appear as local applications
integrated with the task bar and the Windows* 7 Start Menu.
Operating system layer• Windows Server* Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Session Virtualisation: Provides users with server-hosted,
session-based desktops and applications accessible from any device.• Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure: Provides access to personalised server-hosted desktops running in
a VM from any device.• Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation (MED-V): Runs legacy Microsoft Windows XP and Internet
Explorer* 6 or 7 applications in a virtual workspace on Microsoft Windows 7.
management• Microsoft System Center: Unified solution for managing IT environments, including deployment, monitoring,
and updating of physical and virtual clients, servers, and mobile devices.
Briefly describe your desktop virtualisation offering, including its delivery model and solution architecture. Q1:
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The Scense Workspace Management solution separates all information about applications, desktop configurations, and users from the underlying Microsoft Windows operating system and stores it in a central database. This information is managed centrally, in real time, from one management console during the entire user session. This enables Scense to create personalised desktops and deliver applications and other IT resources dynamically, independent of the type of machine: desktop, laptop, VDI, terminal services, company owned, or employee owned. Scense also supports all common application delivery techniques: virtualised, streamed, or locally installed.
To deliver and execute the right application and desktop at the right time and in the right way, Scense takes into consideration a large number of user-context variables, ranging from the type of device and user identity to current date and physical location. This approach delivers both a high-quality desktop experience and compliance with IT regulations.
Virtual Computer’s NxTop* combines a centralised management system and local execution with an enhanced Citrix Xen*–based type-1 client hypervisor. All execution is local; only management functions have been centralised. Because only the management functions are centralised, the solution requires very little infrastructure in the data centre. As an example, a typical VDI server that could serve about 40 end points would be sufficient to manage over 1,200 end points using the Virtual Computer architecture.
Virtual Computer’s centralised shared image management capability enables IT professionals to manage thousands of desktops and laptops in the same way that they would manage one. It delivers native PC performance; mobility; security, including AES-256 disk encryption; and data protection, including full backup and recovery capabilities.
It offers centralised control over the end point, including control over ports, update interval settings, network access controls for wired and wireless networks, and restart. An Apple* Mac*–like dock enables users to swiftly move between multiple VMs, enabling them to use a single PC to work across both a secure corporate environment and a personal environment.
Q1) Continued
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VMware* View delivers virtual desktops as a managed service from a virtualisation platform built to deliver the entire desktop, including the operating system, applications, and data. With VMware View, desktop administrators virtualise the operating system, applications, and user data and deliver desktops to end users.
VMware View virtualises the layers between the hardware and the operating system and between the operating system and applications to modernise traditional PC components. Once virtualised, these components can be moved off the PC and delivered centrally from the data centre as VMs accessible from a variety of end points (PCs, thin clients, and tablets), both on- and offline.
Wanova Mirage centralises the full image of each desktop in the data centre for management and protection purposes, while keeping the execution of desktop workloads on the end points for superior user experience and offline access, and for optimising the synchronisation between the end points and the data centre across a WAN. The Wanova architecture is optimised for mobile laptop users, fully supports offline use, offers layered image management that preserves personalisation, and does not require a hypervisor.
Q1) Continued
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Citrix XenDesktop transforms Windows desktops as an on-demand service to any user, any device, anywhere. XenDesktop quickly and securely delivers any type of virtual desktop or Windows, web, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) application to all the latest PCs, Macs, tablets, smart phones, laptops, and thin clients—all with a high-definition HDX user experience. FlexCast delivery technology enables IT to optimise the performance, security, and cost of virtual desktops for any type of user, including task workers, mobile workers, power users, and contractors. XenDesktop helps IT rapidly adapt to business initiatives such as offshoring, mergers and acquisitions, and branch expansion by simplifying desktop delivery and enabling user self-service. The open, scalable, and proven architecture simplifies management, support, and integration.
Microsoft’s approach to desktop virtualisation is unique. We understand that one size does not fit all, and we provide solutions that fit an organisation’s unique business needs.
microsoft App-V• Allows IT to virtualise a wide range of apps, including full-featured Microsoft Office 2010 and 64-bit apps.• Reduces IT packaging time and makes it easy for even less-experienced users to package complex
applications with App-V Package Accelerators.
rDs session Virtualisation• A scalable, cost-effective alternative to VDI to deliver centrally hosted applications.• Addresses use cases where isolation and personalisation are not required.
microsoft VDI• The best value for VDI today. Provides a best-in-class user experience through RemoteFX* technology and
other partner protocols. Our calculations show an up to 40 percent increase in VM density using the Dynamic Memory capability in Microsoft Hyper-V*.
Integrated management • IT can manage virtualised desktops and applications with the same tool used to manage existing
physical assets. • System Center Configuration Manager 2012 (currently in beta testing) allows IT to define an application for
a user once and deliver it to multiple devices. A self-service portal gives users on-demand access to virtual and physical apps.
preserving and extending existing investments• Many virtualisation technologies are included with products customers already use. USV is native to
Windows 7; App-V and MED-V are part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack (MDOP) with Software Assurance; and Windows Thin PC is another Software Assurance benefit.
What is the value proposition of your solution?Q2:
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Organisations must deliver business-critical applications and information quickly and efficiently. Continuous access to real-time information and functionality is a key factor to success, while at the same time, cost control and governance need to be addressed. Scense delivers on the major IT challenges CIOs face today:
• Cost control and consolidation: By providing central management for all desktops, simplifying IT management tasks, and providing self-service tooling
• Governance and management: By managing all desktops in real time, increasing IT’s span of control outside the corporate network, and supporting employee-owned devices
• Flexibility: By supporting and leveraging all common application and desktop delivery types and by keeping IT departments from having to choose a specific architecture
• Anytime, anywhere computing: By delivering and managing IT resources and workspaces on all devices—virtual or physical, company or employee owned, in- or outside the LAN, online or offline
• speed and performance: By simplifying the preparation and delivery of applications and other IT resources while supporting local execution or execution in the data centre (whichever delivers the best user experience)
Virtual Computer provides all the management benefits that server-hosted VDI offers, but without any of the drawbacks and with more end-user benefits. According to our internal calculation, it delivers a more than 90 percent savings in infrastructure costs over server-hosted VDI, which requires major investments in servers, storage, and network bandwidth. With Virtual Computer, companies can start off by leveraging the equipment they already have, and then more easily refresh to new equipment to get additional benefits. Virtual Computer makes PC refreshes easy, because it provides complete portability of images so that users can be easily upgraded from one machine to another simply by assigning them a new machine and then letting the new machine provision itself automatically.
In addition to delivering cost savings over server-hosted VDI, Virtual Computer also provides significant end-user benefits including complete mobility, a quick boot environment that lets users boot to access the Web or cloud applications within 15 seconds, and native PC performance.
Q2) Continued
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VMware View is the only purpose-built solution to modernise the desktop and applications to transform desktop management while enabling unprecedented flexibility for users at a fraction of the cost and complexity of traditional solutions. Get centralised automated management of these components for increased control and cost savings. Improve business agility while providing a flexible, high-performance desktop experience for end users across a variety of network conditions.
Mirage is not a costly or complex VDI deployment. It installs easily onto any Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 server (or multiple servers for Mirage clustering). All Mirage servers can be managed from one central management console, operations are intuitive, and built-in wizards are available for the most commonly performed tasks. Ease of use and deployment will save your IT department time and money.
The advantage isn’t just for the IT department, but also for the end users. Your end users will have the flexibility of hardware options for their devices, because Mirage is agnostic to what devices are used. End users will also benefit from the disaster recovery and file backup/restore features. And when IT needs to perform updates to an end point, the user will be able to continue working on their end point while that transaction takes place, minimising user disruption during maintenance periods. These features also reduce the number of support calls to the help desk by end users, and reduce time spent on the phone when support calls are made. Put together, Mirage should save your IT department time, lower capital and operating expenses, and increase your users’ productivity and uptime.
Q2) Continued
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Different types of workers across the enterprise have varying performance and personalisation requirements. Some require offline mobility of laptops, others need simplicity and standardisation, and others need high performance and a fully personalised desktop. Citrix FlexCast delivery technology enables XenDesktop to meet multiple usage scenarios in a single solution. With FlexCast, IT can deliver multiple types of virtual desktops, hosted or local, optimised to meet the requirements of individual users.
To take advantage of desktop virtualisation, organisations should start by identifying the business problems they are trying to solve and then understand how different desktop virtualisation solutions can address their specific business needs.
Organisations that want to provide a personalised Windows experience across any connected or offline corporate PC, as well as simplify management and accelerate the deployment of corporate applications to users on demand, should begin by adopting App-V and User State Virtualisation. Both technologies work across all physical and virtual instances of Windows, whether they are running locally or hosted in the data centre.
Choosing an operating system virtualisation technology depends on the scenario that an organisation is trying to address. Microsoft offers a choice of VDI or RDS Session Virtualisation. VDI is more beneficial when users need a high level of personalisation, greater application compatibility requirements, and operating system isolation; RDS Session Virtualisation can provide users with access to centrally hosted line-of-business applications with more scalability. When considering VDI, companies should take into account potential investments required to expand their data centre and the network bandwidth required to give users rich, uninterrupted access to hosted virtual desktops.
Microsoft MED-V can help organisations deploy Windows 7 more quickly by resolving application incompatibility.
Scense can add value in any environment where organisations need to deliver business-critical applications and information quickly and efficiently. Based on years of selling and implementing our solutions, we understand that the most value will be realised in environments with the following characteristics:
• Companies with hybrid environments: mixes of physical and virtual desktops, laptops, terminal server sessions, unmanaged PCs, natively installed and virtualised applications, or different versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system
• Companies with a large number of applications, preferably a mix of native installed and virtual applications
• Companies where “hot desking” is required
• Companies that are planning to migrate to Windows 7 or virtual desktops
• Companies where a “bring-your-own-computer” solution is being used for cost savings
Which usage scenario(s) is your solution best suited for?Q3:
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Virtual Computer works well for mobile users, executives, and task workers. Because Virtual Computer delivers native PC performance with local execution of VMs, it works well for mobile users and executives who are demanding in terms of their user experience. Virtual Computer also works well for task workers who may be working on desktops connected to a LAN. For this latter user group, the primary advantages Virtual Computer offers are cost savings over server-hosted VDI.
Industries• Financial services• Government (regional, local, and national)• Education• Healthcare• Global 1000
Use cases• Windows 7 migration (general operating system migration)• Business process outsourcing (outsourcing and offshoring)• Roaming desktop, aka “follow-me desktop”• Reduce application conflict• Employee-owned IT (bring your own PC)
The Mirage solution is best suited for organisations that want to enable the IT department to perform centralised image management and disaster recovery while meeting end users’ needs for flexibility, personalisation, and computing power.
Q3) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 15
One FlexCast option for delivering virtual desktops is the Local VM Desktop. Also known as Citrix XenClient*, this option extends desktop virtualisation to mobile workers using laptops offline. When they reconnect to a suitable network, changes to the operating system, apps, and user data are automatically synchronised with the data centre.
XenClient is a client-side hypervisor that enables virtual desktops to run directly on client devices. By separating the operating system from the underlying hardware, desktop images are created, secured, deployed, and moved across any supported hardware, reducing the maintenance burden on IT and simplifying disaster recovery for laptop users. Optimised for Intel® vPro™ technology, XenClient delivers a high-definition experience for users and security for businesses. By taking advantage of the hardware virtualisation capabilities found in Intel vPro technology, XenClient uses direct access to the full graphics capability of the device to provide a high-definition experience for multiple VMs. With XenDesktop and Citrix Receiver*, users can access a virtual desktop from any location, whether on a LAN, at an airport on public Wi-Fi, at home, or overseas.
Mobile users leverage Microsoft desktop virtualisation in the following ways:
• microsoft App-V: Streamed App-V apps, once cached, can be accessed by users when they are offline. Policies can be configured to allow for disconnected usage as well as the duration for which users can use applications when disconnected.
• Windows server rDs session Virtualisation: Helps simplify application and desktop deployment by making centrally hosted resources available to Windows clients from a web page or a Microsoft SharePoint* portal, from a local desktop, or over the Internet (with RD Web).
• microsoft VDI: Enables mobile users to access a full-fidelity personal Windows environment running in a VM in the data centre, across a range of Windows and non-Windows devices. (Delivered in partnership with companies such as Citrix.)
• Integrated management with microsoft system Center: Deployment rules optimise delivery based on a user’s device type and network connection, to ensure the best user experience, either through a local installation, streaming through App-V, or a presentation server.
• Windows DirectAccess: DirectAccess gives users authenticated access (no VPN or smart card authentication required) to their corporate network whenever they have Internet access. Mobile users can sync their data and settings and retrieve their updated applications outside the corporate network.
Does your solution support mobile users? How?Q4:
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Scense supports mobile devices that run a Windows operating system. Scense will deliver applications, find the best way to execute these applications (local or in the data centre), and manage the mobile desktop the same as it does with regular desktops. Additionally:
• The “context awareness” of Scense allows for proximity printing.
• Scense supports offline usage: Mobile devices that are offline are still in a managed state, and applications are still available.
• Mobile devices are also within the span that IT controls outside the LAN. There is no need for mobile users to start VPN connections or use cables: a Wi-Fi connection is sufficient to get access to new applications or updates.
• Employee-owned devices are supported, even if they use the home editions of the Windows operating system.
Virtual Computer natively supports mobile users because all execution is local—running on the end-user PC. Only management functions have been centralised. We believe that this allows IT professionals to benefit from centralised management without affecting mobility for the end users.
We support mobile users in both an online and offline fashion. Mobile users can use mobile thin clients, laptop PCs, tablets, or smart phones to connect to their data centre–hosted virtual desktop via the View Client anywhere they have an Internet connection. View Client for iPad* allows users to use Wi-Fi or 3G to access their data centre–hosted virtual desktops. Alternatively, users can check out their virtual desktop locally to a laptop PC and run the virtual desktop locally when offline, while still syncing changes back to the data centre when periodically online.
An upcoming release of the Mirage solution will empower mobile users to access the files on their end point from any other device. For example, a user on an iPad (or BlackBerry*, or other PC) will be able to access the files on their end point using a web browser, thereby providing file access to the end users from anywhere.
Q4) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 17
XenDesktop includes application, desktop, and server virtualisation infrastructure that scales to meet the requirements of global enterprises. It provides proactive monitoring and reporting as well as intelligent load and capacity. Virtualisation management features include live migration, high availability, and bare-metal server provisioning.
For server-hosted desktop virtualisation, the RemoteFX feature in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 offloads graphics processing to a graphics processing unit on the server, which enables a “local-like” desktop experience for remote users. Microsoft RemoteFX leverages the power of virtualised graphics resources and advanced codecs to recreate the fidelity of hardware-assisted graphics acceleration, including support for 3D content and Windows Aero*, on a remote user’s device.
Dynamic Memory, another feature in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, allows the allocation of a range of memory (minimum and maximum) to individual VMs, enabling the system to dynamically adjust the VM’s memory usage based on demand.
Also, with partners such as Citrix, we optimise session virtualisation and VDI for WAN considerations such as bandwidth and network delays.
Scense does not address these considerations directly. Scense supports the administrator by delivering a mechanism that allows for real-time management of desktops and applications based on the user’s context. The administrator decides how the system reacts when the user context or the state of the machine changes.
Virtual Computer takes advantage of the local hardware for execution, so compute load and graphics work just as they would on a native machine. By moving the hypervisor to the end point, Virtual Computer has addressed issues such as delay and web server load that server-hosted VDI faces. Application growth is handled with the ability to include applications with shared “golden images” that can be defined for each group of users. This enables users to access the applications they need, while IT professionals manage only a small number of golden images.
How does your offering handle workload considerations such as compute load, graphics, application growth, delay sensitivity, and web server load?
Q5:
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 18
VMware View leverages both host and client rendering capabilities to provide customers with their choice of configurations to provide the best user experience required for their users, depending on their resource needs and the available client devices.
The Mirage solution has a very small client-side footprint—less than 5Mb. After this client has been installed on each end point (which can be achieved through bulk silent install procedures), the end point is ready to interact with the Mirage system installed in the data centre. This means the end user can leverage all of their local computing power without Mirage slowing them down. An end user can also use their end point while Mirage is performing transactions in the background, and the Mirage system will see that a user is logged in and adjust its activities as needed so that the end user is not disrupted.
Q5) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 19
XenDesktop enables users to access desktops and applications from any location or device, while IT uses policies that control where data is kept. XenDesktop can prevent data from residing on end points, centrally controlling information in the data centre. In addition, XenDesktop can ensure that any application data that must reside on the end point is protected with XenVault technology. Extensive access control and security policies ensure that intellectual property is protected, and regulatory compliance requirements are met.
Microsoft Desktop Virtualisation helps secure confidential corporate data by centralising desktops in the data centre, removing applications and data from the end point. The following technologies enable the scenario:
• microsoft VDI suite: Removes applications and data from end-point devices and locks them down in the data centre. Reduces the risk of having sensitive data exposed to unauthorised users.
• rDs session Virtualisation/remoteApp: Applications and data live in the data centre; only encrypted keyboard and mouse strokes transmit over the network. This helps eliminate the risk of laptop data theft.
• Windows Thin PC (TPC)/Windows Embedded thin clients: Windows TPC enables IT to repurpose existing PCs as thin clients for access to centralised desktops. This reduces the attack surface and thereby improves security. Alternatively, IT can purchase Windows Embedded–based thin clients to achieve the same benefit.
• System Center Configuration Manager and Forefront* Endpoint Protection: These help ensure the security and compliance of VDI clients. Configuration Manager remediates and provides continuous enforcement mechanisms on physical and personal virtual desktops, while also providing visibility into noncompliant machines in pooled virtual scenarios. Forefront Endpoint Protection builds on Configuration Manager to provide consolidated vulnerability management and antimalware protection to Microsoft VDI in a single solution.
Scense is designed with user freedom in mind. Scense is not designed for locking down desktops and restricting functionality. The starting point for a Scense user is a fully functional Windows desktop with all applications and other IT resources needed to do the job.
Next, the administrator can enforce security policies and restrict functionality in real time. Applications can be blocked in real time or made unavailable in certain locations, time frames, or other contextual variables. Folder redirection can be enforced, or standard Windows functionality can be locked down completely.
How do you balance user expectations with the need for security?Q6:
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 20
Virtual Computer provides government-grade AES-256 full-disk encryption; a type-1 hypervisor that protects against key loggers and screen scrapers; and remote lock, wipe, and kill capabilities. Virtual Computer can also set up separate VMs for corporate and personal use on a single machine; corporate use and personal use are isolated from each other. IT professionals can fully control the corporate instance, even locking down USB ports, while giving users more flexibility on their personal VM.
VMware View enables IT to increase its level of control over distributed PC computing environments by centralising the components into the data centre. Applications and data no longer reside locally on machines that can be lost or stolen. Users are provided greater levels of access because the same VM can be accessed via a multitude of devices, both Microsoft Windows* based and non-Windows based, thus improving their user experience. For users deployed via View Client with Local Mode, the virtual desktop is encrypted, and IT is able to wrap the virtual desktop with security policies before it is deployed locally for greater protection.
The Mirage solution leverages encryption on the server side to protect all user and end-point data that is stored. It also allows for the usage of Secure Sockets Layer for communication between the end points and the server. The security functionality is transparent to the end user.
Q6) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 21
Reductions in management costs drive TCO savings with XenDesktop. With a centralised desktop, a simple operating system image, and a separate application virtualisation environment, IT can turn up a user desktop in seconds. The user can access it from any PC via any network.
Using desktop appliances and virtual desktops, end points will not need as many updates, patches, or reimaging, and the desktops themselves will be running on dependable server hardware. Any problem will be resolved by streaming the base corporate operating system image onto the VM or end point and applying personalisation settings and a customised set of applications. Hardware problems can be resolved by replacing the end point with a new one, which will work out of the box. This reduces the effort to fix software and hardware issues, which we believe represents at least half of current management expenses.
Microsoft commissioned research firm Hansa | GCR to engage in research to understand and quantify the impact of application virtualisation in real-world organisations. In the course of the study, Hansa | GCR conducted in-depth research with 291 respondents across organisations of varying sizes and industries.
The resulting research shows that the adoption of application virtualisation for PCs enables organisations to measurably reduce IT labour effort; reduce the time required to deliver new or updated applications to users; reduce management complexity and application compatibility issues in the desktop environment; and deliver higher-quality and more responsive services to the business. The research shows that the benefits of application virtualisation accrue throughout the desktop application life cycle, a savings of $82 per PC annually.
Please read the App-V TCO white paper for more details. In addition, Forrester provided additional insight via its Total Economic Impact* (TEI) study for App-V, which can be found here. Customers can use the TEI spreadsheet to model the value for their company.
After the implementation of the Scense suite, the recurring costs to be expected are:
• Maintenance and support. Based on the amount of users or devices, customers are charged a per-year fee to receive updates and new versions of our product and to receive support (by e-mail or phone).
• Ongoing costs for using Scense. Once Scense is fully installed, it is used most frequently to deliver new applications; it is also used frequently to deliver new policies, printers, and network shares. Using Scense for these IT tasks requires minimal IT time and effort, making this an area of savings for IT.
• Costs to maintain the Scense server. The Scense server components require a Windows server. The workload is fairly low. Load balancing should be considered when the number of concurrent users exceeds 2,500.
• Costs to maintain the Scense database. The Scense database requires Microsoft SQL Server* or Oracle*.
What is the ongoing TCO for deploying and maintaining your offering? Q7:
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 22
Virtual Computer can use the existing server, storage, and network infrastructure most companies already have in place, making the primary expense the up-front cost of $150 per user (which is reduced based on volume purchase) and annual ongoing costs of approximately $40 per user. Operational costs depend on the organisation, but our calculations show that Virtual Computer typically reduces PC management costs by more than 50 percent from customers’ current spend levels. The savings can be higher for larger organisations that have higher baseline PC management costs.
VMware View saves IT money by centralising image and application management. When management is centralised, IT can reliably patch images, simplify backup and recovery processes, and quickly fix operating system issues without a desk-side visit. The time savings and increased security due to these improved processes lead directly to cost savings for IT. User productivity increases because users can access their corporate desktops from any device, anytime, anywhere.
The Mirage solution should lower any organisation’s TCO in all of the following critical areas:
• Lowered TCO for mobile end points by leveraging the desktop management capabilities of the Mirage solution
• reduced technical support costs and improved service level agreements (sLAs); increased user productivity, by enabling IT to reimage end-point devices with corporate images or end-point snapshots, which resolves problems without disrupting user data or personalisation
• Reduced data centre costs, because Mirage leverages all the local computing power of the end points and does not require server deployments in the data centre
• Improved IT compliance, even for remote users, with IT able to keep end points up-to-date on IT-approved images
• Elimination of the cost of a third-party backup solution, because Mirage synchronises end points with the data centre automatically, thus providing desktop management, disaster recovery, and backup and restore in one solution
Q7) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 23
The Citrix Desktop Virtualisation ROI Calculator calculates the value of Citrix desktop virtualisation solutions. Using the inputs you provide, this analysis quantifies the potential business cost savings of Citrix desktop virtualisation solutions. It estimates costs and calculates key financial metrics, including ROI and payback period. For more information, see citrixinformation.com/xendesktop-roi.
Many organisations are considering VDI as a replacement for traditional PCs for office workers. The perception is that VDI reduces desktop TCO while delivering a high-quality user experience. Our findings indicate that VDI tends to reduce costs in some areas, but increase costs in others. The net result is that VDI is generally more expensive than a well-managed PC environment for office workers.
Please refer to our VDI TCO study for a detailed analysis.
Organisations implementing Scense will be able to save costs on many aspects of IT operations. Our internal calculations show that, depending on the type of devices, applications, and users, organisations can:
• Save on application delivery cost (at least $78 per user per year)
• Save on imaging costs (at least $25 per PC per year)
• Reduce physical-to-virtual (P2V) migration throughput time (by at least 50 percent)
• Reduce P2V migration costs (by at least 70 percent)
• Reduce help-desk workload (by at least 90 percent)
• Save on user-installed apps (by at least $58 per user per year)
• Reduce VDI storage costs (by at least 75 percent)
• Save PC capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX) by supporting employee-owned devices
• Save on IT expertise
• Save money on software licences, security, and compliance
• Save on investments by leveraging their existing IT infrastructure when implementing new techniques
What type of rOI can organisations expect from your solution?Q8:
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Virtual Computer typically pays for itself in one month from the time an organisation completely rolls out the solution. The return is delivered by reducing PC management costs by an estimated 50 percent.
OpeX savings• Desktop management time reduced by 55 percent: IT can more efficiently manage virtual desktops,
including patching, upgrading, and rolling out new images.• Ability to provision users in minutes: New users can be provisioned based on a standardised parent desktop
image, reducing the burden on IT.• Patch or update from a single image: IT can patch and update desktop images centrally using fewer
parent images.
Increased productivity• Sixty-eight percent reduction in end-user downtime: Virtual desktops benefit from robust high-availability
features in the platform. • Automated desktop and data backup: Desktops and data are always available; end users don’t need to
handle backup manually.• If an end device should fail, users are back online quickly because their applications and data are stored in the
data centre.
CApeX savings• Lower-cost storage options: Partners such as NetApp offer new low-cost storage options.• Concurrent user pricing: You buy licences only for those users who are active. • Delayed hardware refresh: With desktops running in the data centre, existing end devices (laptops and PCs)
can be reused and extended beyond the traditional lifespan.
With Mirage, IT organisations have the tools they need to begin offering desktops as a service, disaster recovery, and backup and restore to their end users. The Mirage logging features allow the IT organisation to implement chargeback systems that empower them to accurately report on the services they provide and implement appropriate chargeback models.
Q8) Continued
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Using Citrix Receiver as a lightweight universal client, XenDesktop users can access desktop and corporate applications from tablets, smart phones, PCs, Macs, or thin clients.
Microsoft has a large hardware partner ecosystem, which provides PCs, thin clients, and mobile devices. One of these partners is HP. In the data centre, HP provides servers, storage, and networking as part of its “Converged Infrastructure.” It has also built reference architectures for Microsoft and Citrix platforms. For more information, see HP Client Virtualisation Reference Architecture with Citrix and Microsoft.
The Scense back end requires:
• A file server (to store the application packages)
• A database server (Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or higher; Oracle 9 or higher)
• A Windows server to run the Scense server components
• Microsoft Active Directory* (Windows 2000 or higher)
These servers don’t need to be physically separate servers. Customers should consider load balancing when the number of concurrent users exceeds 2,500.
The Scense client requires a device that runs a Windows operating system with .NET Framework 3.5 installed. The device can be managed or unmanaged. For minimum device requirements (hardware and software), visit the “Tips & Tricks” section in our Scense blog.
What hardware and accompanying technologies do you recommend? What end-point devices can be used with your offering?Q9:
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We recommend Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Hyper-V on the server for our management console. For hardware, we recommend Intel-based platforms. We support any device with Intel VT-x (virtualisation technology) and have a hardware compatibility list of more than 500 devices. We do not require Intel VT-d, but we strongly recommend Intel vPro technology for additional security and remote support capabilities.
VMware View works with many different hardware vendors, including server, storage, and end-point device manufacturers. For the most updated information on hardware compatibility, see vmware.com/go/hcl.
VMware View works with many different independent software vendors. Please see the Supported Business Application page of our web site for the most updated list of ISV support statements: vmware.com/go/supported-software/.
Mirage is essentially hardware agnostic on the server and client side but does have software requirements. The Mirage servers must run on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, and the clients must run on Windows 7 or Windows XP. The IT department can leverage all of its existing hardware within the Mirage system, as well as any new hardware it purchases for end users.
Additionally, Mirage has out-of-the-box functionality that enables organisations to migrate their Microsoft Windows XP end points to Microsoft Windows 7.
Q9) Continued
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XenDesktop enables IT to separate the device, operating system, applications, and user personalisation and maintain single master images of each. Instead of juggling thousands of static desktop images, IT can manage and update the operating system and apps once, from one location. This enables IT, for example, to centrally upgrade an entire enterprise to Windows 7 in a weekend, instead of months. Single-instance management reduces ongoing patch and upgrade maintenance efforts and by our calculations cuts data centre storage costs by up to 90 percent by eliminating redundant copies.
Microsoft Desktop Virtualisation empowers IT to simplify management by unifying IT operations onto a single and centralised infrastructure across physical and virtual assets. It enables instant provisioning of corporate applications and desktops, which gets users up and running sooner, and it equips IT to provide access to legacy applications during migration to Windows 7. Working with System Center management, Microsoft Desktop Virtualisation tools automatically detect device configurations and network conditions to deliver the most appropriate services for each user. IT can build an infrastructure that is specific to a company’s needs by delivering services from data centres hosted on-premises, by third-party hosters, or in the cloud.
Founded by former IT pros, Scense aims to simplify the common tasks that IT personnel face on a daily basis. Many time-consuming tasks become obsolete with Scense.
• No more complex logon scripts. All tasks performed by the logon scripts are replaced with a console with a wizard-oriented interface.
• Easy delivery. Scense decreases the amount of time needed to deploy an application from days or hours to minutes. Applications are delivered unattended, fully configured, and conflict-free to all desktops, including unmanaged desktops.
• Self-service. Using Scense, end users can perform self-service tasks that decrease workload for the IT help desk.
• Central management and real-time control. IT pros manage the desktop environment from a single console and can solve IT problems without physically visiting the desktop.
• Reduce application crashes. The Scense adaptive installer, together with our support for application virtualisation, help prevent applications from crashing.
• No more image management. Scense uses one image and transforms it into an unlimited number of personal desktops.
• Simplify desktop migrations. Most tasks in a desktop migration project are automated by using Scense.
How does your solution simplify the lives of IT professionals?Q10:
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We simplify the lives of IT pros in many ways. Virtual Computer:
• Improves the patch success rate to near 100 percent and significantly reduces time spent on patch management (the only reason a patch would fail would be that the PC’s disk is full or there is a hardware issue; in that event, the IT professional is notified of the failure)
• Removes the need for IT pros to make desk-side visits by providing remote support directly to the client via kernel-based virtual machine (KVM) or virtual network computing (VNC)
• Improves SLA management and provides the ability to set specific SLAs
• Simplifies migration of end users from Microsoft Windows XP to Microsoft Windows 7
• Simplifies the process of porting an end user from one device to another
• Centralises the management of a heterogeneous, distributed PC environment; instead of using multiple management tools, IT pros can manage their PCs from the NxTop Center console
• Eliminates the need for sending PCs in for repair
• Increases security by “remote killing” a lost or stolen PC; locking out a PC that does not check in at scheduled intervals; and controlling USB devices
• Gives IT pros greater control over how end users can and cannot impact the device through centralised policy-based controls
• Improve the end-user experience: Enable IT to deliver flexible and secure access to corporate resources across a number of different platforms, both on- and offline, to meet user demands for optimal productivity.
• Automate desktop and application management: Centrally provision and manage thousands of users through greater automation with a highly scalable administrative interface architecture.
• Increase control and security: Increase control of the entire desktop through role-based administration and centralised desktop security policies.
• reduce operational costs: Simplify management of desktops and applications, including centralised desktop life-cycle, security, and end-user persona management, resulting in lower admin-to-desktop ratios and support costs.
• Mirage deployment is straightforward and requires little capital investment. A single Mirage server can support up to 1,500 users, and the software can be installed in less than an hour. Adding clients to the system is intuitive and simple, which means a Mirage deployment can be up and running with relative ease.
• Mirage is managed through one management console, which gives management access to all of the Mirage servers deployed (i.e., one pane of glass for the entire deployment). Mirage provides wizards for the most commonly used functions, but all tasks are designed to be as intuitive as possible.
• End-user support is reduced (fewer calls to the help desk and less time on the phone when support calls are made), and end-user productivity and satisfaction rise.
Q10) Continued
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The Citrix Desktop Transformation Model helps customers get from “wow to how” and quickly realise the many benefits of desktop virtualisation. This repeatable method guides customers in transforming their computing environment from today’s device-centric distributed management paradigm to a more user-centric virtualised model.
The Desktop Transformation Model combines the collective experience of thousands of customers and partners across multiple industry segments that have successfully rolled out millions of virtual desktops and applications to their end users.
To get started with desktop transformation, look for a high-visibility project that can bring your organisation immediate value. This will help you build experience with virtualisation technologies as well as gain support from your business leaders and users. It will also make it simpler and faster to tackle complex scenarios and expand across your enterprise, leading you to long-term success.
Organisations that want to provide a personalised Windows experience across any connected or offline corporate PC, as well as simplify management and accelerate deployment of corporate applications to users on demand, should begin by adopting App-V and User State Virtualisation. Both technologies apply to every desktop, because they work across all physical and virtual instances of Windows—whether they are running locally or hosted in the data centre.
For additional technical information, check out our newly launched Microsoft Desktop Virtualisation Zone.
1. Start by analysing the desktop environment to determine the IT resources that will be managed and delivered with Scense. Scense provides a tool that can help simplify this step.
2. Find the application packages that belong to these applications.
3. Analyse existing logon scripts and determine which parts still matter. These will be replaced with Scense functionality.
4. Decide which desktops will be managed by Scense and in what order. Scense does not need a “big bang” implementation but can be implemented incrementally, in batches. In addition, Scense doesn’t need a greenfield desktop environment and can be implemented in an existing environment.
5. Plan the implementation.
What steps should IT pros take to begin planning for and implementing your solution?Q11:
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 30
IT pros should identify end devices and users they want to manage centrally. They should also ensure that a server enabled with Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Hyper-V is available for the Virtual Computer management console.
1. Clearly identify a use case by mapping a business trigger to the solution, and identify stakeholders to begin project planning.
2. Conduct a solution assessment to understand the full scope of the existing environment as well as the expectations of performance by end users.
3. Plan and design the solution architecture.
4. Pilot the solution to a subset of the end users. Monitor and tune the environment for optimal performance.
5. After a successful pilot, roll into production by bringing the remaining users online. Continue to monitor and tune the environment to maintain performance at scale.
6. Capture metrics, compare against the baseline, and report the value back to key stakeholders.
Depending on the number of end users that need to be supported, Mirage can be deployed on one Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 machine. Requirements are the server-side hardware (which can be virtual), sufficient storage (varies based on number of end points), and client-side end points (existing end points can be used, because Mirage is hardware agnostic).
Furthermore, Wanova will assist any IT organisation with a proof of concept to show the benefits of Mirage.
Q11) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 31
We market and licence our products directly to enterprise customers over the Web and through system integrators; in addition, our products are available indirectly through value-added resellers, value-added distributors, and OEMs.
Resellers run the range of providing purchasing and fulfillment support, to complete consulting, assessment, and implementation services. These channels are supported by technical and relationship sales managers from Citrix.
Microsoft has a large ecosystem of ISV, systems integrator, and infrastructure partners to provide customers with a choice of desktop virtualisation solutions to address their business pain points. Microsoft engages with its customers through our worldwide account teams.
IT pros can also leverage our Windows 7 Accelerate and VDI Accelerate programs to jump-start their Microsoft desktop virtualisation proofs of concept and pilots. Contact your local Microsoft account teams for more detail.
Scense is distributed by Scense premium partners and resellers. In most cases, a proof of concept is set up by the Scense partner. First-line support during the proof of concept is handled by the Scense partner. In specific cases, a direct-touch approach is used, meaning Scense personnel supports the partner during the engagement of a customer.
How do you work with customers? Describe your engagement processes.Q12:
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 32
Our engagement process is similar whether we have a direct relationship with the customer or work through a partner. The process consists of:
• An initial consultation and determination of the customer’s goals, needs, issues, PC management strategies, and understanding of client virtualisation and management
• A presentation and demonstration, either by phone or in person, of Virtual Computer and our solution, NxTop
• An onsite install or remotely supported evaluation and proof of concept on live end points
• Collaboration with the customer to build a business case for how Virtual Computer will benefit their business and desktop management
• Introduction of the customer to our support team
• Introduction of the potential customer to appropriate existing reference customers
• Deployment of NxTop on an initial allotment of end devices (in either pilot or full deployment)
• Schedule of regular calls with the customer to discuss existing deployment and additional deployment opportunities
We have direct relationships with many of our customers, but VMware is a partner-driven company and works very closely with our OEM, technical alliance, and solution provider partners to engage with customers.
Wanova works closely with its customers from the beginning of a deployment; it is common for us to work with a customer on a proof of concept during the early stages of evaluation. During that proof of concept, our support and sales teams make sure the customers are progressing through their evaluation and learning the Mirage solution so that after purchase, their IT staff will already be fluent in Mirage operation and management.
Q12) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 33
XenDesktop supports hypervisor technology and virtualisation management from Citrix, Microsoft, and VMware for integration with your existing solution and the flexibility to expand or change your infrastructure at any time.
Desktop virtualisation is a natural progression from server virtualisation; it helps IT to virtualise user data, applications, or the full desktop (depending upon the needs of the user, who is the primary consumer of the services). Microsoft Desktop Virtualisation provides several benefits: increased flexibility for the user, improved compliance and business continuity for the business, and simplified management and delivery for IT.
To host the desktop virtualisation infrastructure in the data centre, customers can take advantage of server virtualisation such as VDI, RDS Servers, App-V Management, and streaming servers.
Scense Workspace Management addresses the IT challenges associated with desktop virtualisation. During a desktop virtualisation project, the migration costs and throughput time will be lowered by using the Scense Migration Toolkit. Typical desktop virtualisation challenges (imaging, personalisation, application delivery, and proximity printing) are addressed in the new desktop virtualisation environment.
Our product offers similar benefits as server virtualisation. NxTop extends the value of server virtualisation to the desktop and is compatible with many of the server management tools (e.g., Microsoft System Center).
VMware View is built on VMware vSphere*, the industry-leading server virtualisation platform. As an integrated end-to-end solution, VMware View is a natural progression for IT organisations looking to move beyond server consolidation to deliver the value of virtualisation to enable business.
For IT professionals who already have server virtualisation, Mirage could be deployed with zero dollars of capital expenditure. They would simply spin up one Windows Server 2008 R2 VM for every 1,500 end points (roughly), and install the Mirage software on those VMs.
For IT pros who have already implemented server virtualisation: How does your desktop virtualisation offering fit in?Q13:
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 34
Citrix XenDesktop offers a per-user or per-device licensing model. Both licensing models are based on the total number of users or devices that access the software, regardless of whether they use the software simultaneously. To determine the number of XenDesktop licences needed, customers determine the total number of users or devices that will access the software. Citrix XenDesktop is available in three editions: Platinum, Enterprise, and VDI.
Product Licensing
User State Virtualisation Built into Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate
Application Virtualisation • MDOP as add-on subscription for Software Assurance
• App-V for Hosters via Service Provider Licence Access (SPLA)
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Microsoft VDI Standard Suite or Premium Suite plus Software Assurance or Virtual Desktop Access
Remote Desktop Services • Windows Server 2008 R2 licence for each server instance plus Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licence (RDS CAL)
• RDS for Hosters via SPLA
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation MDOP as add-on subscription for Software Assurance
The Scense Workspace Management solution is licenced per named user or per device. An annual fee for maintenance and support is optional. Educational discounts apply.
Describe your pricing and licensing model.Q14:
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 35
We offer a simple perpetual licensing model. We price per end point under management (the hypervisor by itself is free), and we have an annual maintenance price per end unit.
• VMware View is available in both Enterprise and Premier editions. The Enterprise Edition enables basic VDI capabilities, while Premier includes View Composer (linked clone technology) to optimise storage, ThinApp* for application virtualisation, and View Client Local Mode for offline mobility.
• Enterprise Edition is USLP $150 per concurrent connection and Premier Edition is USLP $250 per concurrent connection USLP.
• VMware View is licensed by concurrent connection.
Wanova offers a perpetual and subscription licensing model for the Mirage solution. Both licensing models have set discount rates based on volume and term. Please contact a Wanova sales representative on 408-236-7440 for more information.
Q14) Continued
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 36
Desktop Virtualisation planning Guide Based on the real-world experience of Intel’s IT department, the Desktop Virtualisation Planning Guide outlines the four key steps in planning a desktop virtualisation implementation. http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/virtualization/virtualization-desktop-virtualization-planning-guide.html
Desktop Virtualisation earns Its stripes: Insights from Intel’s IT benchmarking survey on Desktop Virtualisation This survey of IT professionals provides benchmarking data that IT organisations can use in their own planning for desktop virtualisation. http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/virtualization/virtualization-desktop-it-benchmarking-survey-report.html
Developing an enterprise Client Virtualisation strategy Since 2007, Intel IT has been studying a variety of virtualisation techniques to see which would provide the widest range of benefits for Intel. We summarise the pros and cons in this paper.http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/enterprise-reliability/intel-it-enterprise-client-virtualization-strategy-paper.html
Enabling Device-Independent Mobility with Dynamic Virtual Clients Intel IT is investigating dynamic virtual client technology, which uses containerised software appliances to abstract the operating system; applications; and corporate data, personal data, and workspaces.http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/mobile-computing/intel-it-mobile-computing-independent-mobility-dynamic-virtual-clients-paper.html
Virtualising the Client pC: A proof of Concept Intel IT conducted a proof of concept and found that desktop virtualisation could reduce TCO by streamlining PC client builds.http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/virtualization/intel-it-virtualization-virtualizing-the-client-pc-paper.html
Intel IT Considering Dynamic Virtual Client In this video, Dave Buchholz, IT technology evangelist, discusses the specifics of how virtual client technology can help companies support IT consumerisation while reducing TCO and improving productivity.http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-4313
Increasing Productivity with Mobile Business PCs Intel IT conducted a detailed study and compared computing models and devices against our computing requirements. After analysis, we selected mobile business PCs as our standard platform. One key factor was their ability to support emerging technologies such as virtualisation.http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/mobile-computing/intel-it-mobile-computing-business-pc-paper.html
For more information about Intel and desktop virtualisation, see the following documents.
Intel Resources for Learning More
Intel IT Center Vendor Round Table | Desktop Virtualisation 37
better Together: rich Client pCs and Cloud Computing The Intel IT environment contains a mixture of conventional and cloud computing services, delivered primarily to mobile business PCs. As we add new delivery models such as desktop virtualisation, we expect to realise benefits such as increased end-user productivity and lower TCO.http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/cloud-computing/cloud-computing-vpro-intel-it-rich-client-pcs-and-cloud-computing-study.html
evaluating Thin-Client security in a Changing Threat Landscape Intel IT conducted a security analysis of thin clients versus mobile business PCs. We found that while thin clients may be suitable for some niche uses, we have chosen mobile business PCs to support the functionality and flexibility our employees require. In addition, mobile business PCs position us to take advantage of the benefits of desktop virtualisation. http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/enterprise-security/intel-it-enterprise-security-thin-client-paper.html
planning for the Future of enterprise Computing: The Compute Continuum By taking advantage of a combination of technologies and trends, such as ubiquitous Internet connectivity, virtualisation, and cloud computing, we have an opportunity to meet changing employee requirements and refine the way we provide services.http://www.intel.com/content/www/uk/en/it-management/intel-it-the-future-of-enterprise-computing-preparing-for-the-compute-continuum-paper.html
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