The way enterprises design, build, and deploy desktop workstations is changing rapidly. Traditionally, standard configuration images were copied to personal computers (PCs) at a central location from where all PCs were shipped to the workplace. Once received, users would tailor their PCs to suit individual preferences. But with the increase in the number mobile users on enterprise networks, more PCs are being shipped to more user locations, thereby making the deployment process more difficult to manage. This has led to processing problems, increased security risks and created user access control challenges.
Desktop virtualization can optimize the delivery of desktops, applications and data to users. It can address the new PC configuration and deployment challenges and increase the productivity of information technology (IT) teams by transforming how they configure and deploy endpoint devices, manage desktops, and support end user applications.
Traditionally a user’s desktop operating system, applications, and user data were constrained to the user’s local device. The loss of the desktop meant a loss of work until the device was repaired or restored. Virtualization improves how IT teams manage desktops by transforming PC images into virtual machines and consolidating end user applications in a virtual environment. The operating system with automated test tools to improve the work, applications and data are decoupled from the underlying PC hardware and moved to a data center where they can be centrally managed and secured. As a result, rather than juggling thousands of static desktop images, IT teams can manage and update the operating system and applications once from one location, then deliver desktops and applications that are customized to meet the performance, security and mobility requirements of each individual user. This makes it easier to deploy and manage end user devices.
In addition, virtualization increases end user productivity by virtually eliminating downtime. It enables enterprise end users to work securely and productively from any device, anywhere, and at any time by making Windows desktops and traditional applications available on-demand as a service to authorized users on a variety of devices and from any location that offers secure network access.
Given this potential, Gartner predicts that the worldwide hosted virtual desktop market will increase through 2013 to reach 49 million units.1 Revenue is predicted to grow from approximately 1.5 billion United States dollars in 2009 to 65.7 billion in 2013, a number that is equal to more than 40 percent of the worldwide professional PC market.