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Article Title: Solving the Desktop Quandary
URL: http://dqindia.ciol.commakesections.asp/12022201.asp
Section: DQ CIO Series
Author Name: Stuti Das
Author Email: stutid@cybermedia.co.in
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According to a study commissioned by Citrix, 91% of the respondents have implemented desktop
virtualization or plan to do so before the end of 2013; and out of these, 92% are taking to desktop
virtualization to improve information security.
No longer the stuff of theory, desktop virtualization is here to stay for good and in the process, will
transform the way Indians work and enterprises function. In fact, a survey by the erstwhile
Springboard Research corroborates this thinking by noting that among all the various types of
virtualization (server, storage, network, and desktop), it is the humble desktop virtualization that will
offer a fully virtualized interactive set-up for the work-from-home working class.
In case you still don't seem convinced, here are some more facts. A Frost & Sullivan report has
forecasted that the desktop virtualization market, including hardware, software, licensing, and
management tools is estimated to have been at $79.24 mn in 2008 and is expected to grow at a
CAGR of 33.31% from 2008 to 2015.
The Indian market, by virtue of it being an outsourcing hub, is clearly becoming favorite with the
desktop virtualization vendors, who do not tire of mentioning the benefits of it for the BPO businesses.
But the benefits clearly are huge-keeping in mind the large volumes of desktops used by most BPOs
(and of course the costs incurred in procuring and maintenance), with VDI, you could easily have
1,000 people working on only 400 physical desktops.
No Longer the Pariah
Defining desktop virtualization, Indranil Guha, head, IT integration, Spencer's Retail says, "Instead of
using the computing power of a local PC/laptop/client device, when the computing power of a central
computer is used and shared by multiple users having low-end local devices (to interact with the
central server)-it is called desktop virtualization.
Desktop virtualization, even though is a relatively recent term being thrown about in the CIO

2. communities, yet the time is not too far when it will redefine the way Indian enterprises define access
to IT and applications. In fact, the developed markets are already in the process of deploying VDI and
thereby giving the much-required work flexibility, allowing employees to access the resources from
anytime-anywhere without losing out on quality. The adoption of VDI has made the employee location
immaterial. However to add here, it is also about allowing enterprises to do more with less, to
accomplish more work even without incurring costs and with lean resources; it makes businesses
more agile and leaner, and also keeps the employees happy.
Meheriar Patel, CTO and head, IT and e-commerce, Globus Stores says, "The adoption of VDI, more
or less, is dependent on the mindset of individual organization, if the CIO wants to promote it, there is
no stopping him. However having said that the RoIs are great. For instance, if I want to change my
PC, in the traditional scenario, I will have to change the whole PC but if it's a virtual desktop, only
certain type of apps will have to be added."
Benefits
For the CIOs, desktop virtualization presents a win-win situation, with benefits like data security
guaranteed irrespective of the device from which the data is accessed, improved data security and
application, and most importantly simplifying risk management.
Amol Vidwans, head, IT, MARG, one of the few CIOs who have 'been there, done that' when it comes
to VDI, is much in favor of desktop virtualization. He explains, "Desktop virtualization is an ideal
solution wherein data security is of prime importance, wherein deployment and use of mission critical
legacy applications is needed and you need to deploy and allocate resources on the fly and quickly."
Unlike the popular perception, that desktop virtualization is only suitable for verticals wherein there is
a demand for large volumes of PCs (education and retail), most senior IT executives with the
exception of Guha (from Spencers) think otherwise. Patel says, "VDI is not an acceptable model in
engineering CAD environment but for a normal usage, it is much recommended. There are no
prescribed verticals wherein VDI can be used, in fact it is much used in the manufacturing vertical."
Guha, as the sole dissenting voice adds, "Desktop virtualization is more suitable for deployment in
greenfield projects and even in verticals like education, wherein there is demand for PCs."
According to a Citrix survey, 91% of the respondents implementing desktop virtualization say it is very
effective at supporting compliance requirements, while 89% also say such solutions protect against
the exposure of private data and data loss. Centralized, granular policy control enabled by desktop
virtualization allows IT to handle compliance proactively by allowing an organization to develop an
appropriate information security strategy for its own industry, business needs, and risk profile.

3. Corporate PC vs VDI
The debate has been raging on for some time now. Most critics seem to be sounding the death knell
for the ubiquitous corporate PC with the arrival of the mobile devices including tablets and with
companies allowing these devices to be used in enterprise network. But the biggest perceived threat
to the corporate PC is now coming from desktop virtualization. However this is not here to stay, feel
CIOs that corporate PCs are outliving its utility. Guha echoes that the arrival of desktop virtualization
does not spell the end of the road for corporate PCs.
Patel says, "Organizations are ready for the future when they implement VDI, desktops therefore, are
pass."
Vidwans gives a more realistic picture. Desktop virtualization does not save much cost on operating
system software licensing and also the hardware is not very cheap compared to the PC desktop. But,
there are cost savings on-administration, managing the infrastructure, and other related activities.
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