Time to release untapped potential

For most companies, there is no way around server and storage virtualisation - for reasons of cost alone. The use of virtualisation technologies can significantly reduce the number of physical IT resources.

Transtec recommends that achieving a holistic approach to virtualisation requires companies to focus on the use of clients. “Desktops and individual applications can also be virtualised and run centrally in the data centre in the same way as servers and storage systems,” explained Matthew Prew, Managing Director. “Users can choose between a wide variety of virtualisation options. For small and medium sized enterprises, the easy to install and use solutions’ virtual desktop infrastructures and shared desktops are both particularly suitable.”

A Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is similar to server virtualisation where the desktop environment and associated application software is separated from the physical hardware with a Hypervisor. The individual desktop workstation environments are operated as virtual machines in the data centre. In contrast to a shared desktop approach, each user has access to a dedicated desktop with a VDI solution.

As there are minimum requirements on the clients, virtually any end device can be used to run a VDI solution, from smartphones or notebooks to tablets as well as thin and zero clients. Existing desktop PC systems can also be continued to be used effortlessly. As they provide multi-device support, VDI solutions are well suited for the consistent and secure application of Choose-Your-Own-Device (CYOD) and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) concepts.

VDI platforms are generally recommended for load intensive applications and programs that cannot be executed on a terminal server and can only be operated on PCs. Today there are virtually no restrictions on which applications can be deployed on virtual desktops. For instance, the most intensive graphics and computing performance can be achieved effortlessly on thin clients with the latest Nvidia GRID graphics virtualisation solutions and Citrix HDX technologies. Even complex CAD, CAM or CAE applications can be run without reducing performance.

In contrast to VDI environments, shared desktops (as the name suggests) involve a large number of users sharing an operating system and multi-user access applications on one terminal server. Based on experience, Transtec estimate that 70-80% of employees in a small or medium sized enterprise can use desktop solutions as they require an identical application set-up. It usually involves so-called task workers that require a 100% defined desktop workplace, for example for SAP ERP or Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. A shared desktop environment is the optimum solution in this case.

The major advantage of client virtualisation - in a VDI as well as shared desktop environment - it reduces enormously the administration of individual workplaces, for example with faster response times when changes are made such as upgrades, updates or migrations. Companies with a decentralised organisation structure can drastically reduce the complexity of managing their desktop infrastructure.

Key benefits of a desktop virtualisation at a glance:

• Quick and easy provision and management of desktops and applications.
• Maximum security with centralised data storage.
• Easier compliance with security and compliance directives.
• Lower operating and license costs.
• Support of multi-level platforms as end devices and host operating systems.

“Before implementing a desktop virtualisation solution, a company first has to precisely analyse the challenges involved,” explained Matthew Prew.

“This particularly applies to sizing in the data centre and upgrading the infrastructure to leverage CPU performance, RAM, storage capacity or network. This is where Transtec can help with its range of services including analysing the customer’s concrete hardware needs, software consultation, the virtualised system environment design, proof-of-concepts and finally the solution's implementation.”