Virtualization and Cloud executives share their predictions for 2013. Read them in this VMblog.com series exclusive.
Contributed article by Jim Curtin, CEO of Virtual Bridges
2013: The Changing Face of VDI
We've all
heard the stats. The number of tablets sold continues to skyrocket, and while
these devices started out providing casual fun and convenience, they have
evolved into valuable productivity tools shifting the way enterprises do
business. If desktop management wasn't already complicated, BYOD just made it
more so.
Today's end
users have numerous personas across multiple devices, including mobile, thin
client, laptop, traditional workstation and desktop. And while they might have
different needs at different times, they all seek a consistent, high quality
user experience regardless of device or location.
2013 will be
the year businesses tap into the full potential of desktop virtualization,
optimizing security, eliminating performance gaps, reducing costs and creating
more agile, efficient networks.
Here are my
predictions:
- The Regional Data Center Takes
Charge - For years, vendors have pushed organizations to centralize all
processing in the data center, however this approach has created both
performance and management headaches, especially for those in branch offices. As
we enter 2013, there are real alternatives that allow retail stores, banks and
even service providers to locate processing elements in regional data centers
and still manage them centrally. This means organizations don't have to deploy
staff on-site to manage remote locations, dramatically lowering head count while
improving consistency for users who happen to be far away from headquarters.
- MSPs Make Their Mark -
Organizations of all sizes are embracing virtualization to transform the
cost of managing desktops, protect end user data, and provide access from
anywhere at any time. Some have internal teams assigned to deploy and maintain
these desktop virtualization projects. Others rely on MSPs to provide all the
benefits and best practices of VDI, without the management overhead. In 2013,
MSPs will bulk up their desktop virtualization offerings to meet increased
demand, providing organizations of all sizes with flexible, scalable, efficient
solutions and expertise to make their VDI projects successful for the long
term.
- "Open" Gains More
Momentum - OpenStack had a nice 2012 and will see the momentum continue in 2013. There is no escaping the fact that organizations want to eliminate the
fear of vendor lock in and are shying away from expensive proprietary
virtualization solutions. OpenStack, along with open source solutions like KVM
and SPICE, can offer superior scalability, performance and security, all at a
lower price point. We've already seen an increase in compliance with OpenStack
standards. Over the next year we can expect this trend to continue responding to
customer requests for open, integrated solutions that put power in the hands of
end users.
- The Desktop Cloud Becomes a
Reality - 80 percent of IT challenges are largely the same, with another 15
percent defined as industry-specific. That subset can be addressed through
job-specific desktops. In 2013, we'll start to see the rise of Desktops for
Students; Desktops for Developers, Desktops for Lawyers, and much more. This
approach not only delivers the best performance, but also reduces costs and
increases margins for the business.
Hang on to
your seats; it's going to be an exciting ride.
###
About the
Author
Jim Curtin - Founder, President
and CEO of Virtual Bridges
Jim has been on the forefront
of change in the computer industry over most of his 26 year career. At Digital
Equipment Corporation, Jim was involved in one of the first PC roll outs and
introduction of PC-based tools in the organization. He then moved on to Open
Systems with the Open Software Foundation and as Managing Director of Asia
Pacific promoted the benefits of distributed computing ahead of the internet.
With the advent of the internet, Jim turned to network security management and
policy enforcement as a co-founder and CEO of DASCOM, Inc. DASCOM, Inc. was
acquired by IBM in 1999 and Jim served as VP of Security. In 2000, Jim turned to
combining the benefits of Open Source and Linux to the problem of desktop
management in what has now become known as VDI. Jim co-founded Virtual Bridges
in 2006 to take this vision to the next level in bringing VDI to the Cloud. Jim
is a graduate of Harvard University and Digital's Financial Development
Program.