Today, at Citrix Synergy, the conference where cloud computing, networking and virtualization meet, Citrix announced new desktop transformation technology innovations and tools that further reduce both the cost and time of deploying virtual desktops. The Citrix Desktop Transformation model, first introduced in October 2010, focuses on three distinct phases – assess, design and deploy – and helps customers prioritize and map business objectives to users and projects, to speed the roll-out of desktop virtualization enterprise-wide. Citrix is now enhancing the model with new tools and processes that IT organizations can leverage to plan and implement a successful enterprise-wide desktop virtualization strategy.

Leveling the Playing Field Between Virtual and Physical Desktops

Desktop virtualization is being deployed widely today by customers of all sizes, given the recognized return on investments such as improved business agility, tighter security and anytime, anywhere access to desktops and apps across any consumer or business device. At the same time, those same organizations cite the need for more cost-effective acquisition and deployment models to get them from “wow to how” faster.

Over the past two years, Citrix has made numerous advances on this front to take cost out of the equation as a barrier for wide-scale virtual desktop adoption. As a result of these advances, the first-year capital cost of a Citrix XenDesktop roll-out is now materially below that of physical desktops in many cases. With further advances announced this week at Synergy, Citrix predicts that within six months, the up-front cost of virtual desktops will be less expensive than physical desktops across the board. These changes in cost have come from three primary drivers:

1) Extensive technology innovations in XenDesktop, including its FlexCast delivery technology, personal vDisk technology (acquired from RingCube this summer), IntelliCache storage optimization and integrated WAN optimization as a core feature.

2) The new Citrix HDX Ready System-on-Chip (SoC) program, which will enable high-performance HDX Ready devices at a sub-$100 price points.

3) Industry-wide innovation from Citrix partners that has driven down the cost of virtual desktops at the server, storage, network and microprocessor levels, including de-duplication, thin provisioning, and Moore’s Law advances that have driven higher server density for hosted virtual desktops.

The combination of these technology advancements are leveling the playing field between the costs of virtual and physical desktops combined with the Desktop Transformation process and new tools helps organizations deliver virtual desktops enterprise-wide.

Citrix Desktop Transformation Model – Assess, Design, Deploy

The Desktop Transformation model was developed and released in late 2010 to bring together a common methodology along with tools and partners to plan and execute strategic desktop transformation initiatives. New tools developed over the past year and announced today take the model a step further through project management, intelligent assessment and automated packaging tools. New components include:

• Citrix Success Accelerator – Citrix Success Accelerator for XenDesktop simplifies desktop transformation projects with free, customized step-by-step XenDesktop design, implementation and rollout guidance from Citrix experts and industry peers. The Citrix Success Accelerator provides a step-by-step checklist and instructions, hundreds of design benchmarks, best-practice quick tips, alerts and resources, as well as access to new Desktop Transformation tools.
• Citrix Virtual Desktop Assessment Tool – This free automated tool provides an inventory of an organization’s devices, applications and end-user usage patterns. The tool then provides recommendations on the use of XenDesktop FlexCast desktop delivery models, master image configuration and application portfolio, organized by user groups.
• App-DNA AppTitude – As part of the App-DNA acquisition, the AppTitude platform provides an analysis of an organization’s application portfolio, deployment guidance, a project effort calculator and where necessary, the information required to remediate any application compatibility issues. Next, for those organizations that are using application virtualization and streaming, this tool will auto-package the applications for use with Microsoft Installer (MSI), Microsoft App-V and Citrix XenApp®.

• XenDesktop Personal vDisk Technology – Personal vDisk technology, recently acquired with RingCube, is currently available in early access with XenDesktop 5.5, enhances the “deploy” phase by providing persistent, personal storage space for applications, settings and app data that is independent from the master image. End-users enjoy a fully personalized virtual desktop while IT organizations realize both operational savings and a reduction in storage of 65 percent over a dedicated VDI deployment model.

Cost Effective Virtual Desktop for Small and Medium Businesses

Citrix VDI-in-a-Box 5 is the easy, affordable all-in-one virtual desktop solution for SMBs. It is a an all-in-one VDI software appliance that enables Windows® administrators to rapidly deliver centrally-managed virtual desktops to any user, anytime, on any device – for less than the cost of new PCs. VDI-in-a-Box delivers high availability and eliminates over 60 percent of traditional VDI infrastructure – including management servers and shared storage (SANs) – by creating a grid of off-the-shelf servers with direct-attached storage.

“Enterprises understand the growing business value and operating efficiencies that can be achieved by the centralized management and delivery of desktops and applications, but the capital acquisition costs of virtual versus physical desktops was still an open question," said Bob Schultz, Group Vice President & General Manager, Enterprise Desktops and Applications at Citrix.  "Now with the new cost model, we have demonstrated that virtual desktops from Citrix are on track to be the same or less than physical desktops. Customers, armed with this knowledge, as well as the tools and technology provided by the Desktop Transformation model and XenDesktop, can confidently roll out a successful desktop virtualization strategy that benefits both IT and end users.”

How to Access the Desktop Transformation Model

Customers can log on to the Success Accelerator at http://www.citrix.com/successaccelerator/ with a MyCitrix ID and then create a project by providing information about the project. Customers can then follow the customized project guide taking advantage of the tools, best practice articles, and decision criteria along the way.

Pricing and Availability

• The Citrix Success Accelerator is free and available immediately.
• The Citrix Virtual Desktop Assessment tool will be available November 1, via the Citrix Success Accelerator.
• Pricing and availability from Citrix will be announced upon closing. At present, AppTitude continues to be available from App-DNA partners under its pricing.
• Citrix personal vDisk technology is available with XenDesktop 5.5 as an early access feature.