Desktop Virtualization is a Long Time Coming
Posted by Crystal Nichols on Wed, Dec 28, 2011 @ 07:58 AM
Virtualization has made significant inroads in certain markets. For example, you’d be hard-pressed to find an enterprise or data center that, today, is not using virtualized server technologies. Indeed, virtualization has become less of an option and more of a necessity for companies that want to be able to continue to offer high levels of service, more applications, and do it for the same or even less money than they did before.
One area virtualization hasn’t taken off – at least for midsize and small companies – is the area of desktop virtualization. We were told that 2010 would be the year that virtual desktops would reign supreme. When that failed to materialize, experts told us that the release of Windows 7 in 2010 would mean that desktop virtualization would take over in 2011. Here we are in late 2011, and that hasn’t happened either.
Is it any wonder that many are prediction 2012 to be the year of desktop virtualization?
Higher priorities than desktop virtualization
At this stage, many companies are still working through their own server virtualization issues, and dealing more and more with the implications of moving applications to the cloud. Desktop virtualization has not been a priority, even if the technology is where it needs to be.
Is that likely to change in 2012? It’s hard to say. Other trends – such as the move toward computing devices like tablets and smartphones, or the proliferation of personal cloud solutions working their way into business – may take priority yet again.
It’s all about ROI
Some companies have held off on desktop virtualization because they’re not yet convinced that they will get a sufficient return on their investment. While the cost of upgrading PCs and OS in order to virtualize desktops are comparable to what they are for servers, the sheer number of machines and user accounts means that deployment requires significant resources.
Bit by bit
Still, desktop virtualization is moving forward. The percentage of companies using these technologies isn’t dropping; market share is rising. It may well be that desktop virtualization, because there are other priorities and because the ROI isn’t as great as other virtualization technologies, will have to settle for long-term growth rather than taking the market by storm.