Microsoft Moves on Desktop Virtualization

Today at the MIX conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft introduced a new virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) the company says can create lifecycle savings in labor and PC costs.

By using a desktop virtualization technology called Microsoft App-V, the company says users can achieve 27 percent labor savings, as well as equivalent cost savings of $82 per PC per year on application lifecycle management compared with those not using application virtualization.

Microsoft takes a “desktop to data center” virtualization approach, encouraging customers to view virtualization as a holistic approach to managing IT infrastructure and applications. To that end, Microsoft announced the following improvements to its VDI and desktop virtualization strategy:

In partnership with virtualization/cloud technology provider Citrix Systems, Microsoft is running the “Rescue for VMware VDI” promotion, which allows VMware View customers to trade in up to 500 licenses at no additional cost, and the “VDI Kick Start” promotion, which offers new customers a more than 50 percent discount off the estimated retail price.

Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a VDI environment, as virtual desktop access rights now will be a Software Assurance benefit.

Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology, which Microsoft says makes virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications.

Two new features are coming in the Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack.  Microsoft Dynamic Memory will allow customers to adjust memory of a guest virtual machine on demand to maximize server hardware use. And Microsoft RemoteFX will enable users of virtual desktops and applications to receive a rich 3-D, multimedia experience while accessing information remotely.

 In a new technology agreement with Citrix, Microsoft will work to enable the high-definition HDX voice/video technology in Citrix XenDesktop to enhance and extend the capabilities of the Microsoft RemoteFX platform.

Microsoft is clearly looking to keep pace, if not take a lead, in virtualization and cloud computing. Given the continuing dominance of the Windows operating system, if Microsoft can effectively provide virtual access to Windows, it will be in a a position to greatly influence this still-evolving marketplace.