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The VDI Landscape | @CloudExpo #VDI #Cloud #IoT #AI #DX #Virtualization

IT teams need to address three different app and desktop delivery scenarios to support the various computing needs of users

The VDI Landscape: What Came Before and What's Possible Now

Digital transformation can be exciting, but it also can be painful. Organizations are trying to better support a growing mobile workforce that needs the flexibility to work from anywhere on any device. The ability to do so offers a distinct competitive advantage, as productivity soars. Virtualizing applications and desktops has been an important step toward achieving these productivity gains, but the first generation of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and application publishing solutions not only failed to deliver on cost savings and streamlined IT promises, but they contributed an overwhelming level of complexity that ballooned the operating expenses of these implementations - an unpleasant surprise.

Now, many organizations that implemented these first-generation solutions need to determine a migration strategy for this legacy VDI infrastructure, and it's a difficult proposition; some of that infrastructure has been untouched for more than a decade. Organizations don't want to - and can't - remain stuck with these costly and complex solutions, but moving forward can seem almost impossible.

As you evaluate your options for deploying a new implementation or migrating away from an old one, note that Gartner predicts that within two years, 50 percent of all VDI deployments will be Desktop as a Service (DaaS), which means that data center infrastructure and VDI control will be located in the cloud. In the meantime, though, the question for organizations that are nowhere near ready to go all-cloud is: How can IT best meet today's requirements for supporting users while also making sure their organization's VDI solution is future-proof and cloud-ready?

The Three Application and Desktop Delivery Scenarios
IT teams need to address three different app and desktop delivery scenarios to support the various computing needs of users:

  • Deliver virtual desktops: IT uses full Windows 7 or Windows 10 virtual desktops for knowledge worker scenarios, in which users may need dozens or hundreds of applications.
  • Deliver virtual applications: IT uses virtual app delivery when users already have a Windows endpoint. In this scenario, IT wants to deliver five to seven "problem" applications to those users. The most commonly deployed virtual applications are the browser and SAP.
  • Deliver server-hosted desktops: IT uses server-hosted desktops for task worker use cases. In this scenario, end users need three to five applications and a familiar Windows interface on a thin client. Here, the most common use case is a call center.

Where We've Been: Legacy Application and Desktop Solutions Offer Little Choice
Until now, there was only one way to solve these problems: with legacy, on-premises solutions. IT teams spent months procuring hardware, architecting a solution and then deploying it. For full-on Windows desktop virtual machines, two large vendors have dominated the landscape for 10 or more years. As a result, these solutions have all the drawbacks of software that has been iterated over and over to a point of such complexity that they require very specialized skill sets (and therefore lots of money) to deploy and maintain.

Organizations looking to virtualize applications have typically chosen the most well-established provider, which for many years was the only game in town. Now, however, most of those same organizations face the choice of a major forklift upgrade or being left without support on outdated technology. For virtual desktops, the other large provider has gained ground, yet these customers struggle with all the same cost and complexity issues that come with implementing outdated technology on-premises. Now, both dominant vendors offer their legacy solutions in the cloud, but there are critical questions to ask these vendors if you're considering a cloud strategy. It's tough to figure out where to begin piecing together the fragmented solution set that will meet your unique needs, and yet there is growing recognition of the strategic value desktop and app virtualization bring to organizations of all sizes. Where do you even start?

What's Possible Now:  All Hail the Cloud!
Fortunately, the way forward has become clearer. With the advent of the public cloud as a viable option and development of cloud-native desktop and app virtualization technology, now IT can choose simpler, turnkey solutions to deliver on the three application and desktop delivery scenarios. You can leave behind the complexity of the past. IT can employ any combination of these scenarios - on-premises, in the cloud or both - depending on that organization's unique requirements for supporting users and complying with regulatory mandates. An IT team can manage all its desktops and apps, regardless of whether they're on cloud services or on-prem, from a single pane of glass.

Technology of this kind provides a one-stop shop - there's just one user interface for IT teams to manage everything, plus end users have a simple, elegant, unified workspace where they access all their apps, desktops and data on whatever device they want to use. What's more, deployment of the entire solution can happen in less than one day - a vast improvement over the average implementation timeline of many months that defines legacy solutions.

With all this good news comes a caveat: organizations looking to the cloud to simplify desktop and app delivery need to proceed cautiously as they navigate the options - drill down into the implementation details and ask all the hard questions of these vendors to avoid costly surprises.

No one can see into the future with complete accuracy, but expert analysts agree that the end-user computing landscape will evolve from the fragmented, single-tenant, complex, on-premises solutions to unified, multi-tenant, simple, scalable, cloud-native solutions. It's all great news for customers; there's no reason to look back.

Internet of @ThingsExpo, taking place October 31 - November 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, is co-located with 21st Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world.

Download Show Prospectus ▸ Here

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the most profound change in personal and enterprise IT since the creation of the Worldwide Web more than 20 years ago.

All major researchers estimate there will be tens of billions devices - computers, smartphones, tablets, and sensors - connected to the Internet by 2020. This number will continue to grow at a rapid pace for the next several decades.

With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing IoT strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @ThingsExpo in Silicon Valley. Learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is as "IoT-Ready" as it can be!

Sponsors of Internet of @ThingsExpo will benefit from unmatched branding, profile building and lead generation opportunities through:

  • Featured on-site presentation and ongoing on-demand webcast exposure to a captive audience of industry decision-makers.
  • Showcase exhibition during our new extended dedicated expo hours
  • Breakout Session Priority scheduling for Sponsors that have been guaranteed a 35 minute technical session
  • Online advertising in SYS-CON's i-Technology Publications
  • Capitalize on our Comprehensive Marketing efforts leading up to the show with print mailings, e-newsletters and extensive online media coverage.
  • Unprecedented PR Coverage: Editorial Coverage on ITweetup to over 75,000 plus followers, press releases sent on major wire services to over 500 industry analysts.

For more information on sponsorship, exhibit, and keynote opportunities, contact Carmen Gonzalez by email at events (at) sys-con.com, or by phone 201 802-3021.

With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing Cloud strategies, now is the perfect time to attend 21st Cloud Expo, October 31 - November 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, and learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is on the right path to Digital Transformation.

Track 1. Enterprise Cloud | Cloud-Native
Track 2.
Big Data | Analytics
Track 3. Internet of Things | IIoT | Smart Cities

Track 4. DevOps | Digital Transformation (DX)

Track 5. APIs | Cloud Security | Mobility

Track 6.
AI | ML | DL | Cognitive
Track 7.
Containers | Microservices | Serverless
Track 8. FinTech | InsurTech | Token Economy

Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo 2017 Silicon Valley
(October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA)

Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo 2018 New York 
(June 12-14, 2018, Javits Center, Manhattan)

Download Show Prospectus ▸ Here

Every Global 2000 enterprise in the world is now integrating cloud computing in some form into its IT development and operations. Midsize and small businesses are also migrating to the cloud in increasing numbers.  

Companies are each developing their unique mix of cloud technologies and services, forming multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architectures and deployments across all major industries. Cloud-driven thinking has become the norm in financial services, manufacturing, telco, healthcare, transportation, energy, media, entertainment, retail and other consumer industries, and the public sector.

Cloud Expo is the single show where technology buyers and vendors can meet to experience and discus cloud computing and all that it entails. Sponsors of Cloud Expo will benefit from unmatched branding, profile building and lead generation opportunities through:

  • Featured on-site presentation and ongoing on-demand webcast exposure to a captive audience of industry decision-makers.
  • Showcase exhibition during our new extended dedicated expo hours
  • Breakout Session Priority scheduling for Sponsors that have been guaranteed a 35-minute technical session
  • Online advertising in SYS-CON's i-Technology Publications
  • Capitalize on our Comprehensive Marketing efforts leading up to the show with print mailings, e-newsletters and extensive online media coverage.
  • Unprecedented PR Coverage: Editorial Coverage on Cloud Computing Journal.
  • Tweetup to over 75,000 plus followers
  • Press releases sent on major wire services to over 500 industry analysts.

For more information on sponsorship, exhibit, and keynote opportunities, contact Carmen Gonzalez by email at events (at) sys-con.com, or by phone 201 802-3021.

The World's Largest "Cloud Digital Transformation" Event

@CloudExpo | @ThingsExpo 2017 Silicon Valley
(Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA)

@CloudExpo | @ThingsExpo 2018 New York 
(June 12-14, 2018, Javits Center, Manhattan)

Full Conference Registration Gold Pass and Exhibit Hall ▸ Here

Register For @CloudExpo ▸ Here via EventBrite

Register For @ThingsExpo ▸ Here via EventBrite

Register For @DevOpsSummit ▸ Here via EventBrite

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors of Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo will benefit from unmatched branding, profile building and lead generation opportunities through:

  • Featured on-site presentation and ongoing on-demand webcast exposure to a captive audience of industry decision-makers
  • Showcase exhibition during our new extended dedicated expo hours
  • Breakout Session Priority scheduling for Sponsors that have been guaranteed a 35 minute technical session
  • Online targeted advertising in SYS-CON's i-Technology Publications
  • Capitalize on our Comprehensive Marketing efforts leading up to the show with print mailings, e-newsletters and extensive online media coverage
  • Unprecedented Marketing Coverage: Editorial Coverage on ITweetup to over 100,000 plus followers, press releases sent on major wire services to over 500 industry analysts

For more information on sponsorship, exhibit, and keynote opportunities, contact Carmen Gonzalez (@GonzalezCarmen) today by email at events (at) sys-con.com, or by phone 201 802-3021.

Secrets of Sponsors and Exhibitors ▸ Here
Secrets of Cloud Expo Speakers ▸ Here

All major researchers estimate there will be tens of billions devices - computers, smartphones, tablets, and sensors - connected to the Internet by 2020. This number will continue to grow at a rapid pace for the next several decades.

With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing Cloud strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @CloudExpo@ThingsExpo, October 31 - November 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-4, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, and learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is on the right path to Digital Transformation.

Delegates to Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo will be able to attend 8 simultaneous, information-packed education tracks.

There are over 120 breakout sessions in all, with Keynotes, General Sessions, and Power Panels adding to three days of incredibly rich presentations and content.

Join Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo conference chair Roger Strukhoff (@IoT2040), October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, for three days of intense Enterprise Cloud and 'Digital Transformation' discussion and focus, including Big Data's indispensable role in IoT, Smart Grids and (IIoT) Industrial Internet of Things, Wearables and Consumer IoT, as well as (new) Digital Transformation in Vertical Markets.

Financial Technology - or FinTech - Is Now Part of the @CloudExpo Program!

Accordingly, attendees at the upcoming 21st Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, will find fresh new content in a new track called FinTech, which will incorporate machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and blockchain into one track.

Financial enterprises in New York City, London, Singapore, and other world financial capitals are embracing a new generation of smart, automated FinTech that eliminates many cumbersome, slow, and expensive intermediate processes from their businesses.

FinTech brings efficiency as well as the ability to deliver new services and a much improved customer experience throughout the global financial services industry. FinTech is a natural fit with cloud computing, as new services are quickly developed, deployed, and scaled on public, private, and hybrid clouds.

More than US$20 billion in venture capital is being invested in FinTech this year. @CloudExpo is pleased to bring you the latest FinTech developments as an integral part of our program, starting at the 21st International Cloud Expo October 31 - November 2, 2017 in Silicon Valley, and June 12-14, 2018, in New York City.

@CloudExpo is accepting submissions for this new track, so please visit www.CloudComputingExpo.com for the latest information.

Speaking Opportunities

The upcoming 21st International @CloudExpo@ThingsExpo, October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY announces that its Call For Papers for speaking opportunities is open.

Submit your speaking proposal today! ▸ Here

About SYS-CON Media & Events
SYS-CON Media (www.sys-con.com) has since 1994 been connecting technology companies and customers through a comprehensive content stream - featuring over forty focused subject areas, from Cloud Computing to Web Security - interwoven with market-leading full-scale conferences produced by SYS-CON Events. The company's internationally recognized brands include among others Cloud Expo® (@CloudExpo), Big Data Expo® (@BigDataExpo), DevOps Summit (@DevOpsSummit), @ThingsExpo® (@ThingsExpo), Containers Expo (@ContainersExpo) and Microservices Expo (@MicroservicesE).

Cloud Expo®, Big Data Expo® and @ThingsExpo® are registered trademarks of Cloud Expo, Inc., a SYS-CON Events company.

More Stories By Amitabh Sinha

Amitabh Sinha has more than 20 years of experience across enterprise software, end user computing, mobile, and database software. He co-founded Workspot with Puneet Chawla and Ty Wang in August 2012. Prior to Workspot, Amitabh was the General Manager for Enterprise Desktops and Apps at Citrix Systems. In his five years at Citrix, he was VP Product Management for XenDesktop and VP Engineering for the Advanced Solutions Group. Amitabh has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

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