Select the Right Vendor for Desktop Virtualization Info-Tech Research Group

Executive Summary Both Citrix and VMware have solid products and product visions to realize enterprise virtualization goals. Over 75% of organization don’t consider vendors outside of VMware and Citrix for desktop virtualization. Build your VDI product shortlist. Citrix and VMware are the leaders; however, there are other players that can be considered. The vendor landscape is changing as secondary players are swept up in various mergers and acquisitions. While deploying VDI, aim for your overall budget to be less than, and at worst the same as, refreshing with traditional desktop infrastructure. Ensure, before making any decisions, to consider all costs including implementation, energy savings, desk side support, and application and desktop maintenance. Info-Tech Research Group

VMWare and Citrix lead the vendor pack by a large margin Most implementers only evaluate and select vendors used on the server virtualization side for their desktop solutions Insight: 15% Over 75% of organizations don’t consider vendors outside of VMWare and Citrix. Evaluating Evaluated Plan to evaluate Selected 16% 11% 20% 28% 15% 5% 3% 4% 33% 3% 27% 7% 4% 3% 16% 11% 12% 12% VMWare View Citrix XenDesktop Virtual Iron Paralells Sun Virtual Desktop InfrastructureSun Virtual Desktop InfrastructureSun Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Provision NetworksProvision Networks Info-Tech Research Group

VMWare continues to be a low cost market leader with significant upside Strengths - Weaknesses Outlook = Low cost of acquisition Market and mind-share leader Product Highlights: Uses master VM templates to reduce storage overhead. Improved management. New innovations such as offline desktops, though this feature is not yet live Rapid development poses a challenge for organizations planning long term deployments Has not yet lived up to the promise of delivering viable online/offline virtual desktops that perform Citrix has made significant ground on VMWare via product updates in 2009 Continued market leadership Continues to drive new features and innovations Info-Tech Research Group

While VMware and Citrix trade first and second positions, there are worthy competitors developing. Oracle (Sun VDI & Virtual Iron) Quest (Provision Networks) Parallels Microsoft VDI Suite Cost of acquisition & operation Low Med High Management features Install base Ease of installation & maintenance End user adoption Overall Rank Leader Competitor Follower Info-Tech Insight: This scorecard is just the beginning. For a more in-depth evaluation of these vendors, refer to the research note, “Virtual Desktop Vendor Landscape.” Info-Tech Research Group

Further Resources: VDI Smackdown: Citrix Versus VMware A View into VMware View 3 XenDesktop 4: Going Beyond VDI VMware View 4 Boosts User Experience with PCoIP XenDesktop One Year Later Virtual Desktop Vendor Landscape Microsoft Packages Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Solution Oracle Consolidates Xen-Based Virtualization Players VMware Plans to Ease Virtual Desktop Management with Virtual Profiles Citrix Goes iTunes: Redefining IT as a Self Service Info-Tech Research Group

Additional Tools and Insight Included in Complete Report Introduction Citrix has gained ground on VMWare’s product offering, and continues to be a quality solution Other emerging DV vendors exist, and should be watched as the DV market is rapidly changing Expect improvements in end user experience, off-line virtual desktops, and pricing in 2010/2011. Conclusion Info-Tech Research Group

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