When people think about desktop virtualization they tend to envision thin client systems running static Windows applications. But the reality of modern IT is that the "desktop" now not only spans, PCs, tablets and desktops, it also needs to incorporate voice and video. If ever there was a time for taking a fresh approach to desktop virtualization it's now.
The only vendor that really takes a holistic end-to-end approach to modern virtual desktop requirements is Cisco in the form of its Virtualization Experience Infrastructure (VXI) platform. IT departments are judged on the quality of the desktop computing experience delivered to the end user community. Senior management, however, judges IT on the cost of delivering that experience. Traditional desktop virtualization technologies have addressed the latter requirement at the expense of the end user experience. Cisco VXI represents the next generation that gives IT organizations the ability to centralize desktop management and control in a way that reduces costs and maximizes flexibility, without compromising the quality of the end user experience.
Cisco VXI is available for a broad range of endpoint devices running client software that has been optimized to take advantage of Cisco routers and switches and the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) platform. As a complete end-to-end solution that supports both Citrix XenDesktop and VMware View software, Cisco VXI allows IT organizations to leverage advances in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to reduce management costs, while at the same time providing the advanced Web 2.0 experience, voice and video that end users have come to crave.
When it comes to desktop computing there has never been more diversity. Having all those "consumer device" options is naturally exciting for end users, but it creates a support nightmare for the IT organization. Cobbling together a diverse set of network, security, and systems components to try and provide the same experience as VXI adds not only a raft of integration challenges, it creates a scenario where IT organizations are left to their own devices when it comes time to navigate the compatibility and configuration issues that inevitably arise when dealing with multiple vendors. That's not how IT teams in 2012 leaning into 2020 should be going about managing, operating and adding meaningful business value to their organizations.
To learn more about Cisco VXI you're invited to check out a "The Cisco Desktop Virtualization with Citrix" webinar that's available at your convenience. There's no doubt in our minds that virtualization is the future of the desktop; the only question now is what is the most efficient, painless way to provide the best desktop virtualization experience to the end user community.
