Citrix XenDesktop

Citrix XenDesktop is a groundbreaking desktop delivery solution that allows companies to virtualise Windows desktops in the datacenter and deliver them on-demand to users in any location. Unlike first-generation virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) technologies, XenDesktop is a comprehensive end-to-end desktop delivery system that offers an unparalleled end-user experience, dramatically simplifies desktop management and can reduce the cost of traditional desktop computing by up to 40 percent. Citrix XenDesktop is available now, in five versions. A downloadable “Express” edition is free, and can be used by up to 10 users to test Citrix’s Desktop Delivery Controller and virtual machine infrastructure.

Citrix XenDesktop is a comprehensive desktop delivery solution that allows companies to virtualize Microsoft(R) Windows(R) desktops in the data center and deliver them on demand to office workers in any location. Using XenDesktop can dramatically simplify desktop management, enabling customers to provision new users far more quickly, improve data security and save up to 40 percent over the cost of installing and managing desktops on traditional PCs. HP, one of the world’s leading thin-client providers, is delivering integrated access to XenDesktop deployments to provide customers with safe, affordable, easy-to-deploy thin clients that enhance the user experience and reduce IT costs through simplified lifecycle management.

Citrix XenDesktop is scheduled for general availability in the first half of 2008. The Tech Preview Kit will give customers and partners a preview of the Citrix’s technologies that will enable them to successfully deliver virtual desktops from the data center. Citrix XenDesktop is a complete desktop virtualization solution - moving beyond the limitations of existing virtual desktop products to ensure the simple, secure and cost-effective delivery of Windows desktops to any office worker. It provides the fastest way to securely deliver virtual desktops anywhere with a superior user experience and the most flexible, open and cost-effective architecture available.

Microsoft has publicly stated its strong support for this acquisition with combines XenSource with Citrix, one of its strongest partners and the only two time winner of Microsoft’s ISV of the Year award. Citrix has a long history of embracing the Microsoft Windows platform and adding value on top of it and will do the same with the upcoming Viridian platform. Microsoft and Citrix also have extended their alliance for server virtualization to enable IT departments to run heterogeneous hypervisor software. Citrix is developing a capability to enable the portability of virtual machines between the Xen hypervisor in Citrix XenServer™ and Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V. Microsoft subsidizes the applications creation, in effect, but only gets a portion of the pay-off on the deployments side in the form of Windows licenses for the virtualized server runtime instances.
Virtual desktops are growing from less than 5% now, to certainly more than 15% in the next five years. Virtualization has become a critical part of Enterprise IT strategy.