In depth: The desktop revolution

Microscope.co.uk, 2010/02/15

In brief:

Could 2010 be the year that virtualisation finally reaches the desktop? Billy MacInnes talks to the industry's experts. Now that virtualisation has proved itself at the server level and in the datacentre, people are starting to ask whether this could be the year for desktop virtualisation? Some of those same people were asking the same question in 2008 and 2009, but there are signs the conditions could be falling into place to make it more feasible this year. (...)

Alternative desktop strategy
The migration to Windows 7 highlighted by Hammans is cited by many as a potential driver for desktop virtualisation. (...)

Management and support costs are also playing a part, as companies preparing to migrate to Windows 7 begin to consider the implications. Andy Boyle, UK sales manager at Systancia, believes cost reductions can make a "compelling case" for desktop virtualisation. "We'd estimate the cost of managing a single desktop can be as much as £1,000 a year, taking into account maintenance, security, back-ups of data and updating applications. With desktop virtualisation, these operations are centralised and organisations can save 40%-70% on their operational and management costs." (...)

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