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Virtualized desktops can significantly reduce the IT time, travel and expense to support end users, but for many small-to-midsize companies, running and supporting the back-end requirements for supporting a virtual desktops, like VMware View, aren't a good trade-off.
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Virtuon, Inc. recently announced its Virtual Desktop cloud-based service, offering Windows desktops as virtual machines provisioned through the cloud, available on a per-month subscription basis. Once an account has been created, users can install applications and personalize their settings, just like with physical desktops, and access "their" desktop environment.
According to Virtuon, the virtualized desktops are accessible from any web browser, including on thin-client devices, the Apple iPad, and even on smartphones including iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile.
Virtuon Virtual Desktop is based on VMware View. "We're a VMware Enterprise partner," says Forrest Blair, CEO, Virtuon.
Additionally, says Blair, Virtual Desktop makes it easier for application developers to offer Windows-based products through the cloud without also developing a SaaS version.
Virtual also supports VMware View's off-line mode, which involves downloading the virtual machine and a VM player, according to Koustubha A. Deshpande, Virtuon Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. "Users can check out their image and use it offline. Once you are online again, it synchs with the online version.
Virtual Desktop is a good match for small-to-midsize business, according to Blair, because it requires little or no IT staff. "It's good for 'spikey' needs, for employees who move around to various locations a lot, and where there the staff changes quickly, where you're looking for 'follow-me' desktops.
Available now, Virtuon Virtual Desktops start at $39.95/month per desktop, for a minimum of ten users, with volume pricing beginning at 100 users. Virtuon Virtual Desktops can be provisioned for Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. Virtual offers additional software for Virtual Desktop accounts, such as Microsoft Office for $20/month; users can also, if accounts are not locked down by IT, install their own software. Virtuon also has options for virtual machines with more disk space, RAM, including the Data Engine option for users who want to do more compute-intensive tasks. "We expect to cost 50% or less compared to a regular desktop deployment," says Blair.
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