Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Why deploy desktop and application virtualization?

  Virtualizing desktops and apps can enable tighter security and a more agile environment and can simplify maintenance and enhance productivity, particularly for remote workers. Continue Reading

• How each remote display protocol handles codecs

  The codecs that remote display protocols use to transfer an image to a virtual desktop have a large effect on the quality of both videos and text. Continue Reading

• What's new with desktop virtualization management?

  When it comes to VDI management, security and user experience are paramount. IT can use a host of tools, including monitoring, to keep an eye on both areas. Continue Reading

• How desktop virtualization vendors are improving management

  IT pros want to see better security and more monitoring capabilities in their virtual desktop management tools. The ultimate goal is a quality user experience, though. Continue Reading

• Three root cause analysis methods to help solve VDI issues

  From performing a manual assessment to working with VDI vendors' proprietary tools, IT professionals have options for figuring out why problems are happening in their deployments. Continue Reading

• How cloud-native application development affects VDI

  As more and more applications become cloud-native, VDI shops should prepare for changes in the way users access their apps and desktops.Continue Reading

• The ultimate guide to VDI planning

  There is no standard VDI deployment. Each one takes on a life of its own depending on key decisions, including the remote display protocol and the underlying infrastructure.Continue Reading

• How to pick out the right VDI use cases

  VDI can help organizations, but only if IT applies it to the right use cases. Identifying those virtual desktop use cases starts with understanding the user type and location.Continue Reading

• Seven pitfalls to avoid when picking a DaaS platform

  A DaaS project can fail because of a variety of issues, including not fully vetting the service provider or overlooking system integration complexities.Continue Reading

• Essential questions for enterprise DaaS considerations

  IT professionals that are on top of their game know all the options for desktop virtualization. Master enterprise DaaS and learn how to transition an organization to the cloud.Continue Reading

• How well do you know Windows 10 virtual desktops?

  Think you're a Windows 10 expert? How about a VDI expert? Show off your knowledge of both with this quiz on virtual desktops with Windows 10.Continue Reading

• Top four VDI trends that dominated 2017

  With a new year getting started, these are the top four trends in VDI leading the way. Uncover why user experience and data rich apps took over in 2017.Continue Reading

• Follow the recipe for successfully deploying VDI

  When creating the recipe for a successful VDI deployment, IT needs to include automated build processes, hypervisor clusters, golden VMs and more.Continue Reading

• How does VMware vRealize Operations for Horizon work?

  VMware's built-in VDI monitoring tool, vRealize Operations for Horizon, can help IT pros gather performance and usage data in VMware and Citrix VDI deployments.Continue Reading

• Configure a complete enterprise DaaS deployment

  There is a lot more than cost that goes into planning a DaaS deployment. Know the missteps to avoid and top vendors that will best fit an organization's needs.Continue Reading

• Why VDI is here to stay

  It might not be the cure-all many IT experts thought it was when VDI first arrived, but lower prices and better performance mean it has a chance to last in the business world.Continue Reading

• How to approach virtual app and VDI capacity planning

  To successfully virtualize apps or desktops, IT pros must understand how their existing systems work to predict capacity needs. They should also examine how users work with apps.Continue Reading

• How does a remote display protocol actually work?

  IT should know how remote display protocols, which transmit the desktop image from the data center to the end user, work because of the critical role they play in VDI.Continue Reading

• Why IT should consider turning to VDI in the cloud

  IT pros should not be afraid of taking their VDI deployment to cloud. As long as they keep their users in mind and work with business stakeholders, it can be a success.Continue Reading

• Don't get tongue-tied with VMware terms in VDI deployments

  Think you have what it takes to be considered a VMware VDI expert? Go up against our toughest VMware terminology test to claim the title every virtual desktop admin should have.Continue Reading

• Six considerations for IT before moving to a DaaS provider

  To truly evaluate whether DaaS can help their organizations, IT pros must account for the total cost of ownership and understand what management tasks providers do not do.Continue Reading

• When to use published apps vs. streaming apps

  Don't get lost in application delivery. Compare application publishing and streaming to find the best option for an organization's unique setup and needs.Continue Reading

• FAQ: Windows 10 virtual desktops

  Whether or not to virtualize Windows 10 desktops is a big choice. Built-in features, such as Microsoft User Experience Virtualization and App-V, make it easier.Continue Reading

• Compare types of virtual desktop user experience monitoring

  When it comes to user experience monitoring for VDI, IT has a choice between an agent-based or a virtual user-based approach. Each one has its pros and cons.Continue Reading

• Edge computing technology holds VDI potential

  Edge computing is finding its place in the enterprise to handle data growth. IT may use that same advantage to help address problems in a VDI deployment.Continue Reading

• The definitive application virtualization capacity plan

  Application virtualization capacity planning comes down to four main points of emphasis, including knowing user needs and understanding hardware requirements.Continue Reading

• app virtualization (application virtualization)

  App virtualization (application virtualization) is the separation of an installation of an application from the client computer that is accessing it.Continue Reading

• Nonpersistent vs. persistent VDI showdown

  Take a look at persistent and nonpersistent VDI, and see how they differ. Discover tips for the best deployment approaches and the terms behind it all.Continue Reading

• Five questions to ask as you compare VDI vs. DaaS

  IT pros must know their goals and use cases, as well as the location of their users and data, when deciding between VDI and DaaS. Cost is also an important factor.Continue Reading

• Don't be a fool with VDI monitoring tools

  Monitoring tools use features such as synthetic user monitoring to help IT prepare for any VDI health issues. Do you know all the monitoring strategies?Continue Reading

• Why should IT virtualize Windows 10?

  There are several key benefits to virtualizing Windows 10, including making the entire deployment process easier and simplifying patch management.Continue Reading

• Three user profile management tools for nonpersistent VDI

  IT can have trouble managing user profiles that are separate from the desktop images in nonpersistent VDI, but they can make things easier with user profile management tools.Continue Reading

• How does app layering work with nonpersistent desktops?

  One of the big drawbacks of nonpersistent VDI is that users get no personalization. App layering can change that by keeping the apps separate from the OS itself.Continue Reading

• Rise of the graphics-intensive mainstream apps

  VDI shops can no longer assume mainstream apps, such as Microsoft Office, do not require GPUs. This type of app, as well as websites and more, are increasingly graphics-intensive.Continue Reading

• Come on down! The VDI price is finally right

  Many IT pros used to view VDI as too expensive, but now with technologies such as hyper-converged infrastructure and all-flash arrays, everything is changing.Continue Reading

• Travel down the nonpersistent or persistent VDI road

  The difference between nonpersistent and persistent virtual desktops is more than just three letters. From deployment to storage, IT pros need to know the available options.Continue Reading

• The future of virtualization lies with Remote Desktop Session Host

  Even though VDI came and made waves in the market, RDSH's staying power is evident because it is so straightforward and should survive the fall of the traditional desktop.Continue Reading

• Consider key factors in the physical vs. virtual desktop debate

  When deciding between physical or virtual desktops, IT admins must evaluate the costs, look at their application requirements and understand their users' needs.Continue Reading

• When workspace tools can stand in as VDI brokers and when they can't

  For smaller companies, workspace tools, which bring users' resources into one access point, can work as VDI brokers. VMware and Citrix offer options, as well as some other vendors.Continue Reading

• How a third-party RDP client can help VDI shops

  VDI shops can use Microsoft's built-in RDP client to connect users to remote desktops and apps, but some third-party options provide extra features that can really help.Continue Reading

• Get into the groove of Office 365 licensing for VDI

  Virtual desktops change the traditional licensing game. Office 365 typically allows for five device installs, but the rules are different in an Office 365 VDI deployment.Continue Reading

• An in-depth look at converged and hyper-converged technology for VDI

  Developments in all-flash storage and hardware-accelerated graphics have helped make CI and HCI for VDI more cost-effective for organizations of all sizes.Continue Reading

• Innovation lowers converged and hyper-converged infrastructure costs

  Thanks to the ever-shrinking cost of all-flash storage and hardware-accelerated graphics, converged and hyper-converged infrastructure are a mainstay in the VDI conversation.Continue Reading

• Assess and evaluate the range of VDI tools for monitoring deployments

  VDI monitoring tools help admins identify where problems reside and the root causes behind them by providing load testing and capacity planning among other capabilities.Continue Reading

• How profile, app compatibility make the move to Windows 10 simpler

  Profile and application compatibility issues can turn a Windows 10 migration into a terrible experience for IT. Admins can turn to tools such as Liquidware's to help.Continue Reading

• Rounding up and diving into some of the top VDI monitoring tools

  Buyers have a wide range of VDI monitoring tools to select from to effectively manage, monitor and troubleshoot VDI deployments and desktop user experiences.Continue Reading

• How will cloud computing and analytics affect Citrix shops?

  Citrix's focus on monitoring, cloud computing and analytics will let IT do its job in new ways. Admins should embrace the change, consultant Theresa Miller says.Continue Reading

• Ten must-see Citrix Synergy 2017 sessions

  Heading to Orlando May 23-25 for Citrix Synergy? Plan your conference out with 10 of the most intriguing sessions covering workspaces, app layering and more.Continue Reading

• How does Office 365 licensing work in VDI deployments?

  Licensing Office 365 for VDI deployments is not simple. The requirements change depending on the deployment type. Microsoft RDS, for example, completely alters how it works.Continue Reading

• Explore the features and functions of VDI monitoring tools

  When looking at VDI monitoring tools, buyers must know how the options compare with one another in addressing needs such as integration, capacity planning and load testing.Continue Reading

• How does VMware Horizon View licensing work?

  Licensing is a critical component of VDI. VMware offers two main licensing options with Horizon View; a per user model and a per concurrent connection model.Continue Reading

• Nonpersistent or persistent desktop approach? That's still the question

  VDI shops have a tough choice between persistent and nonpersistent desktops. Persistent desktops, for example, give users customization, but they also consume a lot of storage.Continue Reading

• How to pick the right VDI management and monitoring tools

  When evaluating VDI management and monitoring tools, buyers must look for solid troubleshooting, load testing and capacity planning features to choose the most fitting tool.Continue Reading

• When should IT choose desktop delivery over published apps?

  IT admins have to decide between delivering full virtual desktops or virtual apps. Once they decide that, there's still the question of choosing on-premises or cloud-based.Continue Reading

• Take a quest for knowledge on DaaS vs. VDI

  Companies stuck contemplating Daas vs. VDI -- or deploying both -- should know all the facts first. Test your knowledge about the two delivery methods with this quiz.Continue Reading

• What to expect from VDI monitoring tools and when to use them

  VDI monitoring tools help IT oversee virtual desktops. Deployment size, troubleshooting and capacity planning needs determine how critical dedicated VDI management is.Continue Reading

• Timeline: The recent history of Citrix

  Citrix seems to have found solid footing after a turbulent few years in which the company dealt with executive turnover, activist investors and underperforming financial results.Continue Reading

• Pick from three top virtual application delivery options

  VDI, DaaS and RDSH have their places in the enterprise. DaaS, for example, is ideal for organizations with a tight budget. IT admins must know which is best for their companies.Continue Reading

• The layers and capabilities of a VDI monitoring platform

  VDI monitoring tools oversee enterprise desktops and the desktop VMs that run them. Read about what comprises a strong VDI deployment and the capabilities it brings to the enterprise.Continue Reading

• Virtual app and virtual desktop access gains mobile traction

  Larger screens and better technology, including built-in 4G, are big reasons why VDI on mobile devices is becoming more realistic than ever. Browser-based clients also play role.Continue Reading

• Is VDI susceptible to ransomware threats?

  VDI environments are in danger of ransomware attacks. They can encrypt personal and professional data that cannot be decoded once the user's session ends.Continue Reading

• How to decide to deliver apps through VDI vs. installing them locally

  Admins have a tough choice in how they deliver new apps to their users. In some situations it's better to do it through VDI while in others its best to install them locally.Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi connectivity holds the key in the mobile zero client market

  Mobile zero clients are appealing in concept, but they are a challenge because zero clients do not usually include Wi-Fi connectivity. Toshiba is one vendor looking to change that.Continue Reading

• Four questions to ask before choosing virtual or web-based apps

  Picking between virtual or web-based apps is complex. It comes down to key factors such as what types of apps IT must deliver and what features users need to get their jobs done.Continue Reading

• Compare virtual apps vs. virtual desktop deployment

  Selecting a desktop virtualization method is a difficult decision for any IT admin. It's important to consider efficiency and user experience to make the best choice.Continue Reading

• Choose the right method for virtualizing applications

  There are a variety of options for delivering virtual applications to users. Remote Desktop Session Host, VDI and desktop as a service are three top options to consider.Continue Reading

• Are portable desktops good virtualization alternatives?

  Portable desktops can deliver high performance and top-notch security, depending on the form factor. But they aren't a fit for as many use cases as desktop virtualization.Continue Reading

• Where does application layering fit in the virtualization puzzle?

  App layering is a valuable tool for IT pros looking to virtualize applications because it allows them to deliver specific apps to specific users based on a wide range of criteria.Continue Reading

• How to pick between VDI vs. DaaS for desktop virtualization

  IT admins have a big decision in picking between VDI and DaaS. For most organizations it comes down to ease of management, level of control, performance needs, security and costs.Continue Reading

• Dell Wyse thin clients offer VDI shops a diverse device selection

  Dell Wyse offers a wide variety of thin clients that span from high-end to cheap zero clients. The Wyse 3030 and 7040 are two of the newer offerings from the company.Continue Reading

• What to know about remote display protocol technology

  For organizations using virtual desktops, it's important to understand the features behind the remote display protocols in different desktop virtualization platforms.Continue Reading

• Save space for flash-based storage in your VDI deployment

  VDI shops are accustomed to storage issues. Moving to a flash-based storage array could solve a lot of problems and help prevent performance-related issues.Continue Reading

• What does the future of VDI hold in 2017?

  One expert believes 2017 will see VDI shops shift their attention toward graphics-intensive apps and a more widespread adoption of desktop as a service.Continue Reading

• Five features good user profile management tools should include

  When looking for user profile management tools, VDI admins should search for the best possible user experience, multi-platform support and more.Continue Reading

• Citrix HDX SoC technology empowers VDI shops to use cheap thin clients

  VDI shops can take advantage of thin clients, which are cheaper and easier to manage than full-fledged laptops and desktops, by using Citrix's HDX SoC program.Continue Reading

• VMware HCI and VDI form a storage-focused tag team

  By combining its HCI offering, which is powered by VSAN, with Horizon View for VDI, VMware offers a storage-centric way to deploy virtual desktops.Continue Reading

• Citrix Linux Virtual Desktop provides Windows VDI alternative

  Windows isn't going anywhere, but with Citrix's Linux Virtual Desktop, VDI admins who want to work with open source desktops can actually do so.Continue Reading

• How AppSense gives LANDesk management a virtual boost

  Prior to its acquisition of AppSense, LANDesk customers required third parties for VDI management. AppSense fills the gap with centralized management for physical and virtual machines.Continue Reading

• Find the right home for each of the four VMware Horizon editions

  There are four editions of VMware Horizon IT admins should know about: Horizon for Linux, Standard, Advanced and Enterprise. Each one addresses different needs.Continue Reading

• How NVIDIA vGPU aims to lighten the graphics rendering load

  The number of users working with graphics-intensive apps on virtual desktops is rising. IT should take time to learn about vGPU options, including what NVIDIA brings to the table.Continue Reading

• Will HTML5 browsers become the new go-to VDI client?

  The future of VDI may be HTML5 clients. They allow users to access apps from just about any device, including smartphones and Google's Chromebook.Continue Reading

• Three benefits Citrix NetScaler Unified Gateway delivers to VDI shops

  Citrix NetScaler Unified Gateway helps VDI shops by providing one point of network entry, enabling single sign-on and delivering a consistent user experience.Continue Reading

• A complete guide to XenApp and XenDesktop vs. Horizon

  This comprehensive guide covers the ins and outs of the desktop virtualization features that define the battle lines between Citrix's XenApp and XenDesktop and VMware's Horizon.Continue Reading

• Citrix XenDesktop features make it a fit for BYOD, graphics workloads

  Citrix XenDesktop isn't perfect for every organization, but it can be a good fit for companies with BYOD and a lot of graphics-intensive applications.Continue Reading

• How to use Azure Resource Manager with XenApp and XenDesktop

  Now that XenApp and XenDesktop in Citrix Cloud work with Azure Resource Manager, IT can more easily deploy cloud-based virtual desktops and apps to users.Continue Reading

• What makes VMware Horizon Air Hybrid-Mode tick?

  With VMware Horizon Air Hybrid-Mode, you get the control of on-premises virtual desktops with the simplified management of desktop as a service.Continue Reading

• A hands-on look at VMware Horizon View 7

  Reading up on VMware Horizon View 7 has value, but you never know how the company's desktop virtualization platform will work in production until you use it. One expert gives a hands-on tutorial.Continue Reading

• Five VDI thin clients worthy of enterprise consideration

  Choosing the right endpoints for VDI is essential. Explore five options for VDI thin clients -- including Raspberry Pi devices and Google Chromebooks -- and what differentiates them from each other.Continue Reading

• UEM is poised to revolutionize Windows desktop management

  Windows desktop management is getting a facelift. Powered by new unified endpoint management tools, IT can manage mobile devices and physical and virtual desktops with a single platform.Continue Reading

• How EMM tools can complement VDI

  Many organizations that support mobile users are adopting EMM tools. EMM can also help manage smartphones and tablets that access virtual desktops.Continue Reading

• Three reasons cloud-hosted virtual desktops haven't taken off

  Three major concerns prevent desktops as a service from infiltrating IT shops -- cost, security and the maturity of the technology. Find out which one really isn't much of an issue.Continue Reading

• Do you know the details of application layering?

  App layering is a helpful virtualization tool. Show off your knowledge of the topic with this quiz on what criteria IT can use to layer apps, where app layering hard disks live and more.Continue Reading

• Software-only options poised to change VDI storage market

  The VDI storage market is heating up, with an array of options for software-only storage platforms. Each one differs significantly from the next.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Remote Desktop Services vs. Remote Desktop Session Host

  Microsoft Remote Desktop Services has made significant strides since its early days, but Remote Desktop Session Host has built up a lot of good will over the years.Continue Reading

• How to support Microsoft's Skype for Business tool on virtual desktops

  Skype for Business is finally viable for VDI shops. Find out why unified communications apps are tough to support on virtual desktops and how Microsoft fixed the issues.Continue Reading

• Five reasons cloud-hosted desktop projects fail

  Desktops as a service often bring benefits such as easier management, but they don't fit every situation. Tackling a DaaS project onto an OS migration, for instance, is doomed to fail.Continue Reading

• Hardware-based 3D graphics acceleration brings CAD to remote corners

  Graphics acceleration technology improves virtual desktop performance at the VM level, not over the network. One company deployed it for heavy-duty field work in the boondocks.Continue Reading

• How desktop provisioning works with VMware Instant Clone

  IT can use Instant Clones in VMware Horizon View to provision multiple virtual desktops with shared RAM and disk resources, which can improve overall performance.Continue Reading

• Consider new storage acceleration options for VDI environments

  Storage is one of the things that can make or break a VDI deployment. It's important to buy enough to support the dynamic workloads that virtual desktops create throughout a normal day, but companies have to be careful not to buy too much. ...Continue Reading

• Explore five hyper-converged infrastructure vendors for VDI

  HCI deployments are good for VDI, but finding the right vendor is tough. Nutanix, Cisco, SimpliVity and others offer strong options for VDI shops.Continue Reading