To date most virtualisation technologies have been focused on the virtualisation of server technology. VDI or Virtualisation of the desktop has been purposely designed to solve the majority of issues facing workstation technology of today. As the number of workstation devices continue to grow and become more varied the support burden and cost to the corporate community continues to grow.

Something has to change and that change is VDI!

VDI in essence is the virtualisation of the workstations. Terminal server (which is widely accepted as only being able to satisfy a small percentage of user’s needs) makes use of a single server operating system used by all connecting workstations opposed to VDI that has a virtualised standard workstation operating system for every workstation.

One of the largest headaches of a network, is management and maintenance of workstations. This not only equates from the cost of the outright purchase of the workstation but also the continual upgrade and user support.

The education sector has tried to get around this by in some cases requesting students to supply their own laptops. The problem with this approach is that if a user owns his workstation / laptop how do you ensure that your network infrastructure remains sterile from all the bad things loaded on that user workstation?

Because VDI can completely isolate the local workstation, users can freely use their own equipment with no concern to your network support infrastructure. All that is required is a VDI client (software) to be installed and the user is able to use the VDI environment.

If we break down VDI, we can show you what it offers over and above standard virtualisation products that have been on the market for some time.

VDI is actually a number of products used to achieve the final result. The benefits include;

• Full graphical user applications compatible
• Ability to easily make changes to large numbers of desktops quickly
• Manageable from a central location
• Remote access to ALL users, anywhere, any time!
• All client devices supported (including phones) – 25 operating systems supported
• Simplistic application delivery down to a "per user" level  
• Improved performance over and above most workstations today
• No refresh slowdowns (operating systems being “gunked up”)
• Ability to very quickly deploy new desktops (our test, 200 workstations in 1/2hour)
• Doesn't have the application compatibility issues of terminal server
• Ability to auto adjust the user experience based on end user device (example from multiple monitors to a iPad)

By using “Gold Image” technology, a single workstation can be created and then deployed to many hundred users in a matter of minutes. Also if the Gold image is modified, the deployed workstations from this image are automatically updated. (Patching and maybe new versions of Office)