Microsoft is stepping up its commitment to desktop virtualization. Late last week, the software giant announced new virtualization technologies, a simplified licensing structure, and an expanded alliance with Citrix Systems.
Brad Anderson, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Management and Services Division, said the company wants to provide a “balance” between IT departments looking to enforce security and device compliance, and employees who want options on where and how they work.
‘Different Than Others’
In a posting on the Windows Team Blog last week, Anderson said Microsoft’s approach to virtualization “is different than others in the market.” These differences, he said, include a “desktop to data-center approach,” a belief in building a foundation of centralized and integrated management, and flexible technology.
To take a firmer position in this growing market, Microsoft is launching new promotions, features and licensing.
New promotions for the virtual desktop infrastructure, or VDI, include Rescue for VMware VDI, in which VMware View customers can trade in up to 500 licenses for the same number of Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscriptions and Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual licenses at no additional cost.
Beginning July 1, the company will no longer require that Windows Client Software Assurance customers buy a separate license to get access to Windows in a VDI environment, because virtual-desktop access rights will be a Software Assurance benefit.
And for midsize businesses wanting to move to Windows 7 Professional while still running XP-based applications in a virtual desktop environment, Windows XP Mode will no longer need hardware virtualization.
‘A Very Hot Market’
The new technology agreement with Citrix will enable that company’s high-definition HDX technology in XenDesktop to integrate with Microsoft’s RemoteFX platform. The HDX RichGraphics technology enhances the performance of 2-D and 3-D applications, leveraging both software- and hardware-based rendering. Microsoft’s upcoming RemoteFX platform allows a rich-media user experience via a network…