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The end game for infrastructure virtualization, no matter what approach or combination of approaches is chosen, is to provide users with the productivity tools they need on their desktops in the most cost-effective, secure and efficient manner.
Business Challenges
Choosing the Right Desktop A primary mission of IT is to deliver applications that enable core business processes. The infrastructure built to support this mission is comprised of a myriad of components including the network, hardware, software and support personnel. As the business environment becomes more complex due to globalization and competition, IT is called upon to facilitate. Typically this involves looking for the best way to deliver larger, more complex applications to a constantly changing mix of desktops, laptops and mobile devices. Further complicating ITs challenge are pressures from business and government regulatory agencies to secure access to sensitive customer and business information. IT managers must ask themselves, How do I deliver secure, on-demand IT services in a highly complex and dynamic environment? More and more frequently, the answer is virtualization. By deploying Citrix virtualization solutions businesses have achieved a lower total cost of ownership and enhanced manageability and security through consolidation and centralization of key resources. The vast majority of customers have leveraged the shared model and published desktops through Presentation Server. However, in some specific business scenarios, this level of virtualization alone is not enough. When users require more control or dedicated computing power, businesses will require other desktop delivery models and deployment solutions. A typical task worker performs non-complex and repetitive activities to get the job done. These workers have no need for desktop customization and generally are measured on the volume of work that can be completed during a given time frame. From the standpoint of the business, productivity is paramount and costs should be minimized. From the viewpoint of IT, administrators are looking to maximize the number of users per server and simplify ongoing management and application deployment. On the other hand, users want quick response times and ease of use. This environment is typical of retail stores or call centers and is optimally suited for the shared model.
Business Issues Productivity Optimized TCO Requirements Ease of use Benefits Lowest overall TCO
Minimize application Centralized data protection launch time Centralized management and application deployment Fast boot and application launch Eliminate PC Move-Add-Change costs
A knowledge worker adds value by processing existing information to create new information that can be used to define and solve problems. Knowledge workers rely heavily on desktop automation to perform their jobs. They require the ability to personalize and control their desktop with minimal limitations. Examples of this type of control include the ability to boot the OS as needed or have multiple images of the OS on a single physical desktop. Workers who require this level of personalization include remote software developers as well as administrative and back-office workers. The best deployment for this environment is the virtual machine option of the dedicated model. This option offers businesses the intellectual property protection and user productivity that they need to get the most from these workers, which tend to be among the highest compensated in the organization. IT is looking to be in a position to respond rapidly to business requirements while providing remote support and streamlined management. Users simply want to have maximum control of their desktop.
Business Issues IP Protection Time to productivity Security/Compliance Workforce flexibility/ continuity Requirements Ease of use & access Personalization Isolated OS Multiple images Benefits Centralized source code protection Centralized data protection Eliminates remote access and data Unlimited isolated virtual machines Eliminate PC Move-Add-Change costs
There is another type of knowledge worker who requires not only the ability to control and customize their desktop, but also maximum desktop performance. This must be achieved in an environment where physical desktop space is limited. This exact situation is found in the financial services industry with its equity and bond traders. The expectations for desktops in this environment are 100% availability, the fastest-possible processor speeds and unlimited personalization options. Any downtime suffered by these workers is quantified in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions. The optimal desktop deployment in this situation is the physical machine option of the dedicated model. This type of deployment offers all of the benefits of the virtual option, while also providing a dedicated physical machine without the associated space and power requirements. Due to the central location of the physical devices, IT maintains the ability to rapidly respond to user requirements, which also enhances management and deployment capability.
Business Issues
Requirements
Maximize revenue Fastest CPUs generating knowledge possible work productivity Limited & expensive office space Personalization Multiple monitors Zero down time
Centralized data protection Centralized management and flexible resource allocation Eliminates down time due to local PCs Eliminate PC Move-Add-Change costs
Dedicated Physical
Dedicated Virtual
Shared Virtual
1:1
1:1
1 : many
Published Desktops
Installed
Published
Optimize
When businesses have power users who require the full power and flexibility of their own physical desktop, Citrix offers the published application capability of Presentation Server for their desktop virtualization needs. So no matter what access device, desktop, desktop delivery or application delivery model is chosen, Citrix offers solutions that deliver on the promise of desktop virtualization today. Organizations looking for the sustainable business value offered by desktop virtualization should focus on targeting specific user groups that fit the profiles of the various deployment models. It is important to note that the majority of corporate users will achieve the most benefit from the application virtualization and desktop publishing capabilities of Presentation Server. However, for the remaining users that require the functionality offered by virtual or physical desktop options, Citrix offers solutions that provide the manageability, flexibility, security and TCO that businesses have come to expect.
The information in this publication is subject to change without notice. THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NONINFRINGEMENT. CITRIX SYSTEMS, INC. (CITRIX), SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, NOR FOR DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS PUBLICATION, EVEN IF CITRIX HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES IN ADVANCE. About Citrix: Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS) is the global leader and most trusted name in on-demand access. More than 180,000 organizations around the world rely on Citrix to provide the best possible access experience to any application for any user. Citrix customers include 100% of the Fortune 100 companies and 98% of the Fortune Global 500, as well as hundreds of thousands of small businesses and individuals. Citrix has approximately 6,200 channel and alliance partners in more than 100 countries. Citrix annual revenues in 2005 were $909 million. Learn more at www.citrix.com.
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