Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Survey the desktop and application virtualization market

  Organizations want the flexibility to deliver virtual desktops and applications from the same platform. Learn about the products that can do both for your enterprise. Continue Reading

• Three key VDI installation decisions IT must make

  Deploying VDI effectively comes down to several key decisions, including whether to run the back-end infrastructure on premises or with a DaaS provider. Continue Reading

• User profile management software in the modern enterprise

  Profile management tools help admins keep track of important details about users, like their bookmarks, browser histories, wallpapers, documents and more. Continue Reading

• The definitive DaaS provider criteria checklist

  If IT wants to move its virtual desktops to a DaaS vendor, it's critical to know what to look for, including the disaster recovery options and monitoring capabilities. Continue Reading

• Compare top desktop and application virtualization products

  Each company has different desktop and app virtualization needs. Buyers must compare what vendors offer for mobility and data governance to make the right purchase. Continue Reading

• The key features in an app, desktop virtualization product

  Desktop and app virtualization tools help admins deliver services to users regardless of where they work and what devices they work on. Learn how to make a smart buying decision.Continue Reading

• What are the differences between TCP and UDP?

  When it comes to using TCP or UDP for sending packets of data through a network across devices, IT must know the differences and when each option is a good fit.Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 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

• Explore five virtual application delivery tools

  With all of the virtual app delivery tools out there, it can be hard to know what's what. Sort through the clutter to learn about some of the top offerings, including Citrix XenApp and Microsoft App-V.Continue Reading

• Take control of virtual desktop access with two-factor authentication

  Traditional passwords simply aren't good enough for VDI shops. Instead they need to make users' devices require a second form of authentication or use one-time passwords that change frequently.Continue Reading

• How to bake up Raspberry Pi thin clients for VDI

  Raspberry Pis are one of the lowest-cost computing options out there, so it's only natural for IT to wonder whether they're suitable as thin clients for some enterprise use cases.Continue Reading

• Four questions to ask before using Chromebook thin client devices

  Using Google Chromebooks as VDI clients can save organizations money and simplify IT management, but they're not the perfect fit for every company.Continue Reading

• Three benefits of using hyper-converged infrastructure systems for VDI

  Hyper-converged infrastructure systems bring all the necessary back-end hardware and software to support a VDI deployment into a tightly-integrated chassis. Discover three ways HCI helps VDI shops, plus a few concerns to keep in mind.Continue Reading

• When single sign-on technology is a good fit for VDI

  As more VDI shops deliver virtual desktops separately from applications, single sign-on provides a way for IT to reduce users' burdens when it comes to multiple logins and remembering passwords.Continue Reading

• Compare Citrix Provisioning Services and Machine Creation Services

  One of the most important parts of setting up and managing a XenDesktop deployment is choosing which provisioning tool to use. Citrix provides one streaming option and another that creates VM clones.Continue Reading

• Compare Citrix, VMware and Microsoft remote display protocol options

  As desktop and app virtualization technologies advance, the top vendors' remote display protocols are keeping pace. Citrix HDX, Microsoft RemoteFX, VMware Blast and Teradici PCoIP protocol can all support modern end-user computing.Continue Reading

• Why VDI is perfect for managing remote employees

  Organizations trying to support remote employees should look to VDI, which puts users in a controlled environment and makes it easier to provide support, manage licenses and ensure security.Continue Reading

• How Citrix USB redirection supports stylus peripherals

  A new feature in XenDesktop and XenApp makes it easier for stylus users, artists and engineers to link USB peripheral devices to their virtual desktops and applications, even when they're far away from the office.Continue Reading

• How does Citrix StoreFront work with XenApp and XenDesktop?

  Citrix's enterprise app store can help VDI shops transition to a mobile-friendly virtual desktop and application strategy by broadening remote access and providing a simpler user interface for employees.Continue Reading

• Should businesses use HTML5 remote desktop clients?

  HTML5 clients can serve as a widely accessible, mobile friendly way for users to access virtual desktops, but there are still a few security kinks to work out.Continue Reading

• How does virtual desktop performance compare to PCs?

  Virtual desktops need to perform similar to physical desktops, or else users become frustrated. Most companies now have enough back-end resources to support speedy VDI connections.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of using an HTML5 browser as a VDI client

  Although HTML5 clients don't provide enough security for some organizations, they're one of the easiest and most widely available options for delivering remote desktops to employees.Continue Reading

• Everything you need to know about GPU virtualization

  GPU virtualization makes virtual desktops a strong option for users who need graphics-intensive apps, because this technology moves graphics rendering to the data center.Continue Reading

• Citrix XenClient is going away, but what will replace it?

  Citrix's announcement that it will stop selling XenClient didn't include any plans to replace its Type 1 hypervisor. VDI shops are left wondering what's next.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between a VM clone and a template?

  Creating virtual machine templates and clones are quick-and-easy ways to deploy multiple VMs, but for your VDI environment to thrive, you should know the best use cases for each method.Continue Reading

• Virtual desktop security guide

  To secure virtual desktops, consider antivirus, certificates and network vulnerabilities. Just remember, VDI doesn't always increase desktop security.Continue Reading

• VDI assessment guide

  Wait! Don't implement VDI technology until you know your goals and needs. A VDI assessment should consider the benefits of a VDI environment and its effects on end users.Continue Reading

• Guide to choosing and managing VDI thin clients

  First, decide whether thin clients are right for your environment. Then learn what to look for in VDI hardware and what kind of management capabilities you need.Continue Reading

• Five Citrix Synergy 2015 sessions to look forward to

  There are lots of different session types and tracks to choose from at Citrix Synergy 2015. Before you etch your schedule in stone, make sure to consider these five sessions for desktop virtualization admins.Continue Reading

• Comparing three options for VDI endpoints

  There are a few ways admins can provide users with the hardware that makes it possible to access their virtual desktops. Get to know the three major options.Continue Reading

• Complete guide to RDS management and RDSH

  RDS is the backbone of Windows desktop virtualization from Microsoft. Learn about features -- such as RemoteFX -- problems and more.Continue Reading

• Benefits and disadvantages of virtual mobile infrastructure

  Virtual mobile infrastructure lets you run mobile applications in your data center and take advantage of some of the same benefits as VDI, but it also comes with similar drawbacks, such as offline access issues.Continue Reading

• What are the biggest pros and cons of VDI?

  Cost savings and easier management are billed as top reasons to do VDI, but the technology also has downsides, and its complexity can make it daunting.Continue Reading

• Tablets and smartphones can be thin clients, too

  The experience of using a mobile device as a thin client has improved and it's no longer out of the question, but some pain points remain, such as connectivity and text entry.Continue Reading

• Can I use a tablet for VDI?

  Technology-wise, it's possible to access a virtual desktop from a tablet, but the user experience may not be ideal. On the other hand, if you have a mouse and keyboard hooked up to the tablet, it can be a great way to access VDI.Continue Reading

• Do I need antivirus for VDI deployments?

  Virtual desktop environments aren't immune to viruses and malware, so it's important to have an antivirus tool and strategy in place before your deployment gets infected.Continue Reading

• VDI vs. RDSH doesn't matter if users don't need full Windows desktops

  Most companies don't need to publish full Windows desktops anymore -- users mostly just need their applications. That means there's no reason to discount RDSH in favor of VDI.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between VDI vs. Terminal Services?

  The VDI vs. Terminal Services (or RDS) debate is based on the differences between the two methods for delivering remote desktops. One uses sessions and the other connects users to full client OS desktops.Continue Reading

• The difference between Citrix Workspace Suite and Workspace Services

  Citrix's Workspace Services and the Workspace Suite aren't one in the same. The Suite is a bundle of products and Workspace Services is a delivery platform and control plane.Continue Reading

• Zero client buying guide

  There are lots of client options to choose from for VDI. Get the details on four of the most popular zero clients and how they can meet your needs in this buying guide.Continue Reading

• RDSH vs. VDI comparison proves use case is everything

  In a RDSH vs. VDI comparison, it's not a matter of which is better. The most important thing is which one best fits your use case. VDI is good if users need multiple applications, but RDSH is a more lightweight model.Continue Reading

• Components, features and use cases for XenDesktop 7.5

  XenDesktop 7.5 comes with XenApp, hybrid cloud integration and HDX enhancements, as well as an improved experience for workers who use mobile devices to access desktops and apps. But is there room for upgrades in products such as Profile Management?Continue Reading

• Smackdown: Microsoft vs. Citrix vs. VMware VDI for 3-D graphics

  Virtual desktops and 3-D graphics can mix if you use the right approach. Here's how Citrix, Microsoft and VMware VDI's GPU support compares.Continue Reading

• VMware and Citrix put gloves on, customers prep for winning products

  Whether Horizon 6 or XenApp is better doesn't matter; the longer VMware and Citrix duke it out, the better both products will be for customers.Continue Reading

• Breaking down VMware GPU virtualization options: Soft 3D, vSGA and vDGA

  VMware GPU virtualization options Soft 3D, vSGA and vDGA have different uses and benefits, but they all help companies reap performance rewards.Continue Reading

• What virtualized GPU technology is doing for VDI

  Virtualized GPU technology brings VDI to more users than ever before, which could spur desktop virtualization adoption.Continue Reading

• Making thin client performance priority No. 1

  Thin client performance is the key to a successful endpoint because it's the issue that most affects your end users.Continue Reading

• Three important VDI application deployment considerations

  Consider app compatibility and the frequency of updates when you choose VDI application deployment methods. Oh, and don't forget cost.Continue Reading

• How to load balance a Citrix or VMware VDI implementation

  Whether your VDI implementation is based on Citrix or VMware, certain load-balancing techniques will keep performance on target.Continue Reading

• How to handle peripherals support on virtual desktops

  Peripherals support can be especially tricky on virtual desktops because you often need redirection technology to make the devices work.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of using VDI for BYOD management

  Virtual desktop infrastructure eases the stress of managing employee-owned devices in the enterprise, but beware connectivity and compatibility snags.Continue Reading

• Spotlight on application delivery at BriForum 2013

  What do pinball and application delivery have in common? Not much, but Brian Madden and Gabe Knuth discuss both in this BriForum 2013 recap.Continue Reading

• Apple iOS devices and VDI: Connecting the cult and the corporation

  If your organization wants to access virtual desktops from Apple iOS devices, keep these tips in mind to make the transition smooth.Continue Reading

• Weighing connected vs. disconnected VDI

  Offline VDI lets users work from anywhere -- even without an Internet connection -- but that brings up a few challenges regarding user experience.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of using storage virtualization for virtual desktops

  Thinking of virtualizing storage to improve virtual desktop performance? Here are the pros and cons of storage virtualization for VDI.Continue Reading

• Citrix kills its Application Streaming feature, directs users to App-V

  Citrix has officially ceased development and support for its Application Streaming feature, and has directed IT pros to use Microsoft App-V instead.Continue Reading

• Zero client vs. thin client computing: Why zero clients are better

  Zero clients and thin clients both offer virtual desktop access, but they aren't the same when it comes to performance and scalability.Continue Reading

• Nonpersistent vs. persistent desktops: Why VDI should persist

  Using persistent desktops for VDI makes application delivery more flexible; plus, they're similar to the physical desktops you already have.Continue Reading

• Comparing remote display protocols: RemoteFX vs. HDX vs. PCoIP

  Are you puzzled by protocols? This comparison reviews top remote display protocols from major vendors so you'll know what each has to offer.Continue Reading

• Choosing thin client devices: What to look for

  On the lookout for thin client devices? Don't forget to consider application compatibility, protocol support, features and cost.Continue Reading

• Application and OS updates for virtual desktops: Not so simple

  Think virtual desktops make app and OS updates easier? Think again. Patching and updating virtual desktops can require more steps than physical ones.Continue Reading

• User profile management tools: 16 options to consider

  There are tons of user profile management tools out there. Check out these options to learn what they offer -- and which ones are free.Continue Reading

• Application virtualization comparison: XenApp vs. ThinApp vs. App-V

  App streaming and virtualization tools differ when it comes to portability, offline capabilities and more. Get to know application presentation tools from Citrix, VMware and Microsoft.Continue Reading

• GPU vs. CPU: Three ways to run graphics-heavy apps on virtual desktops

  It's a pain trying to accommodate graphics-intensive applications on a virtual desktop, but don't despair. There are ways to deliver these apps fast.Continue Reading

• Citrix Synergy Barcelona recap: Combining XenApp and XenDesktop

  At Citrix Synergy Barcelona, the vendor announced phase one of Project Avalon, which will provide unified management for XenApp and XenDesktop.Continue Reading

• Application virtualization Q&A: Streaming and remote app delivery

  Application virtualization can simplify upgrading and management. Just remember, streaming and remote apps are two different things.Continue Reading

• Demystifying Microsoft virtual desktop licensing: SA vs. VDA vs. CDL

  Virtual desktops are so dynamic that licensing them isn't easy. Microsoft's complex VDI licensing rules certainly don't help.Continue Reading

• Using Portable-VirtualBox to run any OS from a USB device

  Portable-VirtualBox allows you to run OSes from a USB drive, which helps you test them for use in server and desktop virtualization environments.Continue Reading

• Turn to Microsoft RemoteApp Programs when VDI and RDS just won't do

  VDI and RDS aren't always the best fit for remote app delivery. For a lightweight approach, try Microsoft RemoteApp Programs in Windows Server 2012.Continue Reading

• Desktop virtualization comparison: VDI vs. Remote Desktop Services

  For desktop virtualization, you have a choice between the paths of VDI and Remote Desktop Services. Robert Frost took the road less travelled, but you don't have to choose just one.Continue Reading

• Reverse seamless windows: The secret to local apps on remote desktops

  Some apps just run better as local applications. Reverse seamless windows technology allows you to run apps locally while presenting them on remote desktops.Continue Reading

• How do you stop a VDI deployment in its tracks? Scale up!

  When a VDI deployment doesn't get past the pilot stage, scalability is often the culprit. A small VDI project is a completely different animal than a large one.Continue Reading

• Web apps are browser-based, not browser independent

  Web apps aren't a free pass on IT management. Issues such as plug-ins, security settings and browser version requirements mean that managing Web apps can be a lot of work.Continue Reading

• streaming application

  A streaming application is a program that has its necessary components downloaded as needed instead of being installed ahead of time on a computer.Continue Reading

• user installed application (UIA)

  User installed applications (UIA) are programs that are installed on a computer by an end user, instead of by a corporate IT department.Continue Reading