What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI enables organizations to run fully functional virtual machine-based desktops, allowing end users to access them regardless of device or location. Although VDI can help reduce the TCO, secure data, and enable mobile and remote access, it has not yet been widely adopted because of its complexity. With its ease of use, affordability, and reliable performance, Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) makes VDI easier  and more appealing for businesses of any size.

Virtual desktop infrastructure – Market trends

In the early years of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), industry experts expected it to rapidly take over desktop management and delivery. In fact, since 2006, VDI has been considered an alternative to the server-based computing model used by Microsoft Terminal Services. However, VDI adoption did not grow as expected because of the costs and complexities involved with this technology.

Nonetheless, in recent years, there has been consistent growth in the VDI market. According to analyst firm Technavio, the VDI market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% from 2017 to 2021. Global market intelligence firm IDC reports that the virtual client computing (VCC) market was worth $3 billion in 2015 and predicts that it will reach  $4.6 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 8.9%. These numbers point to strong growth for VDI as it continues to transform corporate IT resources across the globe.

What is virtual desktop infrastructure VDI?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDIVDI allows users to work on desktops and applications that run inside virtual machines (VMs) that are centrally hosted, either on servers or in the cloud. While employees can perform the same operations on a traditional PC, VDI enables organizations to simplify management and reduce costs by consolidating and centralizing the desktops. It also enables businesses to empower end users’ mobility, offering them the possibility to access their virtual desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device  at any time.

How does VDI work?

A connection broker and a hypervisor are the main components of virtual desktop infrastructure. The connection broker allows the end user to connect to an available virtual desktop, while the hypervisor actually runs the virtual desktops.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI

A VDI solution enables IT administrators to create groups of virtual desktops, known as virtual desktop pools, that are hosted on identically configured virtual machines. Virtual desktop pools are usually created for users who share the same needs. As organization teams, such as finance or human resources, require specific applications and utilities,  pooling virtual desktops allows IT staff to simplify settings and configuration. When a team member establishes a session with a connection broker, it assigns the session to an available virtual desktop from the appropriate pool.

The aim of VDI solutions such as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop), VMware Horizon, and Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is to simplify the management and deployment of the processes explained above.

How does VDI help organizations?

VDI offers several benefits to an organization, depending on the solution. For the purpose of this article, we summarized the more important benefits below.

Parallels RAS makes Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI easy and affordable

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) allows businesses to easily implement VDI. With Parallels RAS, IT staff can deliver full desktops and offer a Windows desktop experience with maximum infrastructural flexibility to any device. Parallels RAS customized templates enable businesses to deploy VDI desktops on demand, by replicating a virtual desktop as many times as needed. In addition to its straightforward manageability, a very attractive price tag makes Parallels RAS is an ideal choice for any business seeking to implement VDI. Learn More

Parallels RAS allows for quick, simple and affordable VDI deployments. Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) offers some benefits to organizations such as improved security, centralized desktop management, and reduced IT workload.

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References 

What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)? | tricerat

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: Global Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Market to Grow Rapidly Through 2021, Due to Its Ability to Offer Improved Security and Flexibility to Enterprises: Technavio | businesswire.com

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161111005754/en/Global-Virtual-Desktop-Infrastructure-VDI-Market-Grow

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) | searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com

http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-VDI

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: VDI Technology Better, Faster and Cheaper, But Adoption Still Slow | cio.com

http://www.cio.com/article/2382286/desktop-virtualization/vdi-technology-better–faster-and-cheaper–but-adoption-still-slow.html

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: What is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)? | windowsitpro.com

http://windowsitpro.com/systems-management/what-virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi

The Pros and Cons of Using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure VDI: PCworld