As part of Cisco's ongoing efforts to enable anytime, anywhere collaboration,
Cisco today announced new software that extends the Cisco Jabber unified communications
application to virtualized workspace environments. As part of a long-term
software strategy for collaboration-enabling virtual desktops, this software,
called the Virtualization Experience Media Engine (VXME), will be available
initially on Cisco thin clients, followed by support for third-party devices,
starting with Dell Wyse thin clients, and then Windows-based thin clients and
Windows PCs.
VXME enables
virtual desktop users to access Jabber's enterprise-class collaboration
capabilities such as voice and high-definition (HD) video, presence and instant
messaging (IM) as part of the Cisco Virtualization Experience Infrastructure (VXI) Smart Solution. With the Cisco
VXI end-to-end solution for desktop virtualization, virtual
desktops, applications and collaboration services are centrally hosted on the Cisco Unified Data
Center and delivered
across a Cisco network to a broad array of user devices for a superior virtual
workspace experience.
Cisco also announced support for new desktop accessories,
designed exclusively for Cisco by Logitech and Jabra, which enable Cisco Jabber
for Windows users to customize their virtual workspace to increase productivity
and work more effectively. For example, a virtual desktop user logging in from a
home office may want a keyboard with a unique caller-ID display and call control
buttons. There are also specially designed peripherals, ranging from a
standalone speaker phone to a handset to a webcam that enables Jabber® users to
collaborate from their virtual desktop using HD video. Cisco, Jabra and Logitech
have enhanced the collaboration desktop consisting of voice, computing and video
services, into a fully integrated virtual desktop solution built around
Jabber.
Today's announcement is all about helping employees work the
way they want. As employees demand increased flexibility in how they work, more
and more companies are turning to desktop virtualization. According
to a 2012
Cisco IBSG Horizons study,,
68 percent of U.S. respondents agreed that most knowledge-worker roles within
their company are suitable for desktop virtualization; over half of these U.S.
respondents have already implemented - or are in the process of implementing - a
desktop virtualization strategy. Respondents indicated that the top three
drivers of desktop virtualization for their organizations are data protection,
employee mobility, and business agility.
ANNOUNCEMENT
HIGHLIGHTS
Cisco Jabber for
virtual environments, enabled by VXME, is initially available on Cisco's thin
client, the Virtualization Experience Client (VXC) 6215. The VXME software is
targeted for global availability in the first half of the calendar year.
Additional benefits include:
-
Increased choice
for users: In the first
half of the calendar year, the VXME software will be extended to Dell Wyse's
Z50D thin client, followed by support for third-party Windows-based thin clients
and Windows PCs, to enable an enhanced enterprise collaboration experience to
other endpoints as part of the VXI architecture.
-
Improved user
experience: Cisco VXI was
the first desktop virtualization architecture to eliminate the crippling network
bottlenecks and server overload often caused by real-time voice and video
traffic traveling between an end user device and a virtual desktop hosted in the
data center. Today's announcement builds on that solution design; using the VXME
software, Cisco Jabber is able to use the computing and processing resources of
the local user device. This minimizes the impact of real-time HD audio and video
traffic on the network and data center resources and frees up bandwidth,
improving the experience for end users on a virtual
desktop.
-
Easier Management
for IT: With today's
announcement, Cisco VXI becomes the first desktop virtualization architecture to
integrate network-based quality of service (QoS). The VXME software on a thin
client makes the network aware of the voice and video traffic on the virtual
desktop, enabling the network to automatically prioritize this collaboration
traffic. This reduces jitter and delay and delivers the best possible
collaboration experience.
-
Highly secure
access to information and collaboration virtually: With Cisco
Jabber for virtual environments, Cisco VXI enhances the collaboration experience
delivered without compromising on voice and video capabilities. To end users,
the virtual desktop becomes a mirror of their traditional enterprise workspace,
providing highly secure access to documents, corporate applications, and a full
suite of collaboration tools via Jabber.
-
Compatibility
with top desktop virtualization partners: Cisco Jabber for
virtual environments is compatible with Cisco VXI solutions running Citrix
XenDesktop 5.6 FP1, Citrix XenApp Published Desktop version 6.5, or VMware View®
5.1.
Cisco is also
providing options for users to personalize their virtual desktop experience,
through support for new desktop accessories from Logitech and Jabra. These new
accessories are built exclusively for Cisco Jabber, running natively or in
virtual environments.
-
Traditional Desk
Phone Call Control from a Keyboard:
-
The Logitech UC
Keyboard K725-C delivers voice and video call controls, as well as an LCD caller
ID display, directly on the keyboard, fully integrated with Cisco Jabber so
users can manage a complete call control experience from the keyboard itself.
This is paired with the Logitech M525-C Wireless mouse.
-
Choice of
dedicated audio and video devices:
-
The Jabra Speak
450 for Cisco enables users to easily turn their workspace into a mini
conference room with a hands-free speakerphone with 120-degree
coverage.
-
The Jabra Handset
450 for Cisco is a cordless handset that enables a familiar phone user
experience for virtual desktop environments, with the convenience of having on
handset mute and volume controls, as well as a message waiting indicator
light.
-
Business-Grade
High-Definition Video
-
The Logitech
C920-C Webcam delivers full HD video integrated with Cisco Jabber for a
rich-media collaboration experience.