The end of the corporate desktop as a physical entity is nigh, warns the world’s largest computing company HP, pointing to desktop virtualisation as a trend encouraging it to rethink its client computing architecture.
HP today introduced its client infrastructure portfolio to redesign client computing environments to simplify management, increase security and enhance the user experience.
It said that today’s workers have a diverse range of computing requirements across devices, applications, mobility and performance needs. As such, technology teams are challenged to deliver services efficiently and cost-effectively across this heterogeneous environment.
The future of ‘corporate desktop’
According to an independent report from Forrester Research Inc: “Beginning in 2010 but flourishing over the long term, the ‘corporate desktop’ will no longer be a physical machine but a virtual image that users will access from whatever device is most convenient at that time in that particular location.
“Users will be able to complete all of their activities (work and personal) from the same device without security compromises.”
HP said that with PC refreshes and operating system migrations on the horizon, the time has never been better to strategically rethink client architecture design.
The new HP Client Infrastructure Services portfolio strategy focuses on end-user segmentation and takes a life-cycle approach to change, and advises a hybrid design model that includes a mix of new and traditional PCs, virtual desktops, application virtualisation and more.
New HP Client Strategy Services take a business value approach to client architecture strategy and planning to accelerate the transformation and ensure a business case with return on investment.
HP Client Migration Services speed the move to new operating systems and ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption. New services include:
· End-user Segmentation – Ensures every user receives an enriched, interactive and personalised experience. HP identifies candidates for traditional vs virtual desktops by analysing end-user segments across type, usage scenarios, applications and performance requirements.
· Application Rationalisation – Simplifies management and reduces costs across the application portfolio; resolves compatibility issues and finds opportunities for virtual desktop infrastructure and application streaming.
· Integrated Client Management – Speeds deployment and reduces time spent on ongoing management by automating the migration to virtual or traditional clients along with the refresh of devices and software updates.
Feedback on HP
“HP’s knowledge and practical experience helped us smoothly transition to Windows 7 to meet our goal of maximum user functionality managed with a minimum of resources,” said Wim Vanhoof, manager of Information and Communication Infrastructure at De Persgroep, a leading media company in Belgium.
“The new virtual application streaming environment enables employees to be more productive and ensures that future acquisitions can be readily integrated within the desktop architecture.”
HP Client Virtualisation Services help clients realise the benefits of virtualisation faster with expert services targeting client, storage and server technologies from HP, VMware, Citrix and Microsoft.
Updates to the solution portfolio include the HP ProLiant WS460c G6 Workstation Blade, which is a dedicated remote client that provides the performance and scalability for high-end 3D visualisation projects demanded by manufacturing and oil and gas industries. New graphics capabilities combined with enhanced memory per blade enhance the user experience.
HP has revealed new thin client technologies, including HP TeemTalk 7.2, where desktop clients gain more productivity with “one-click” screen navigation and multiregional offices seamlessly support Chinese-language communication to more than two serial devices.
HP Device Manager (HPDM) provides accelerated implementation and upgrades through silent installation, automation and backup and recovery, saving administrators significant time to rollout and configure large deployments for remote locations and remote console access. The network also offers flexibility to identify new thin clients for easy management.
By John Kennedy
Photo: Physical desktops may be no more, what with the emergence of desktop virtualisation
