VMware, Inc., (NYSE:VMW), the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop to the datacenter, today announced a new suite of professional services that help IT departments implement, manage, and optimize virtual desktops. Using proven best practices based on VMware Infrastructure methodology, customers and partners gain valuable insight on how to increase employee productivity, reduce IT costs, and improve security in their desktop computing environments.

By extending the VMware platform to the desktop with VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, IT administrators can deploy virtual machines on every PC and deliver a complete desktop experience that is easy to manage, fast to deploy, less costly to maintain, always-current and radically more secure. Virtual machines deployed on desktops are protected from disaster, disruption, attack, or theft and are therefore better and safer environments in which to run applications and store user files and data. In addition, VMware virtual desktops are enabled to be always-current because thousands of virtual machines can be updated instantly from the datacenter without touching a single desktop. Workforces running VMware virtual desktops get a full PC experience—both online and offline—allowing them to work from anywhere and be more productive.

VMware Professional Services provides proven best practices and guidance from experts in virtual infrastructure environments to maximize a customer’s investment in VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. VMware Infrastructure methodology takes into account the complete lifecycle of a customer engagement: assess, plan, build and manage. The new services, tailored to customer experience and requirements, include:

• Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Jumpstart

VMware Professional Services delivers an on-site proof of concept, a fast and convenient way to train staff on setup and explore specific considerations unique to the customer environment. During a Jumpstart, a VMware Certified Professional will train up to five staff in setting up VMware products, provide knowledge transfer and discuss best practices of deployment.

• Application Virtualization Jumpstart

Through application virtualization, organizations can package and deploy applications more easily, faster, and without conflict. VMware Professional Services offers customers and partners expert training on running any version of any application on a single OS without conflict.

• Plan and Design for VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and Application Virtualization

The Plan and Design engagement begins with assessment and analysis of the customer’s key objectives and existing infrastructure. VMware Professional Services then builds a comprehensive blueprint for the VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and/or Application Virtualization deployment, including key documents needed to successfully manage the environment on an on-going basis.

• Remote Office/Branch Office (ROBO) Services Acceleration Kit

The VMware Remote Office/Branch Office (ROBO) Service Acceleration Kit helps simplify the process of optimizing customers’ remote and branch offices using VMware Virtual Infrastructure. The kit provides partners with knowledge and materials for remote office optimization—matching the best approach to customer requirements. By utilizing the VMware ROBO Solution Acceleration Kit, partners can rapidly expand their professional service offerings and ultimately expand their customer’s virtual infrastructures beyond the corporate headquarters.

“With an optimized virtual infrastructure, companies can keep their employees productive no matter where they are located, under almost any circumstance, all while reducing costs,” said Jason Martin, vice president, Professional Services, VMware. “VMware has many years of experience implementing successful virtual desktop deployments using proven methodologies. A VMware Professional Services engagement can make the difference between a small-scale adoption and a fully optimized system that maximizes cost savings and achieves user satisfaction.”

VMware Authorized Consultant (VAC) Partners receive specialized training, certification, accreditation and access to Services Acceleration Kits and other intellectual property to help them develop thriving service businesses. The VMware VAC program includes more than 550 partners with over 3,000 consultants who are accredited to deliver VMware services.