When you talk about desktop virtualization with technology gurus, you will hear competing views. Some believe that it is one of the most radical of technology changes that information technology ever saw and for some others, it is an expensive disaster with a very limited appeal in the long term.
For long, the desktop has been a source of empowerment for users. Each user has a little bit of his or her space on the desktop. The desktop offers the most hands-on resources to the user and that is perhaps the most compelling of arguments in its favor. Desktops can be managed virtually and yet, when it is time to upgrade, administrators still have to take control of the physical terminals. With desktop virtualization, all of it can be managed virtually, without having to physically handle the computer. Eric Knorr from Infoworld talks about the many types of desktop virtualization and their individual advantages.
Desktop virtualization has been around for a while, but lately it has gained a lot of popularity. Dustin Kehoe, Principal Analyst with Current Analysis, feels that with the desktop going to the cloud, it is necessary to capitalize on its many benefits. Here’s what he thinks you could capitalize on:
The cost savings are tremendous. However, you should not expect to make a like for like comparison between the physical or virtual environment. With desktop virtualization, you can completely do away with the desktop support and manual processes. In the longer term, there is also the benefit of the virtualized desktop to be used as a shared resource. This can again be cost saving. When desktop is used as a service, as it is likely, it can eliminate both hardware and storage costs.
- The end point security is also definitely better as compared to the previous versions. So that is yet another area for capitalization. The administrators have greater control over the desktops and can set security policies remotely. They can also check the state of the device’s security from time to time.
- As desktops are virtualized, managers will find it easier to match employees to specific applications. Enterprises can now build secure environments, based on the individual’s role in the organization.
- Desktop virtualization can be the harbinger of all round innovation at the workplace. It can certainly be the means to introduce new policy in device use and several other areas of administration.
- It has to be said that with desktop virtualization, you also get increased opportunities for practicing green IT. If virtual desktops are used as shared resources, they certainly lower the carbon emissions and decrease your overall carbon footprint.
Due to its many advantages, a lot of IT giants have entered the virtualization market. Giants like Toshiba and HP have begun to come up. Some newer and highly specialized enterprises like VDIWorks and Clear Cube are also offering their services to meet the growing demands of virtualization.
With so much happening all around, it is important to prepare both businesses and processes to meet the new technical challenges this wave of changes brings. With a little planning and understanding, virtualization can be a revolutionary change for an organization of any size.
What do you think?
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