VMware has beat Amazon to the punch on cloud-based desktops with the launch of Horizon DaaS, which offers virtual desktops running on VMware vCloud Hybrid Service.
The offering, available via channel partners, allows customer to blend public cloud desktops and on-premise VMware Horizon View private cloud desktops together. As a result, IT can provision, deploy and manage full Windows desktops for end users that can be accessed from laptops, desktops, zero/thin clients, Chromebooks, tablets (Apple iOS and Google Android) and other mobile devices.
“Having pioneered the market for DaaS back in 2007, VMware continues to lead by introducing industry-first capabilities and technology innovations to deliver a best-in-class service and solution to our customers,” said Sumit Dhawan, vice president and general manager for desktop products for end-user computing a VMware. “Our experience working with customers deploying DaaS the last several years have shown that the majority prefers a blended environment with both on-premise and cloud desktops. However, very few solutions in the market can deliver a seamless end-user experience across multiple clouds like VMware Horizon DaaS.”
Unlike other DaaS offerings that only offer Windows server or Remote Desktop Services (RDS) environments, VMware Horizon DaaS supports both types of desktops in addition to full Windows Client Desktops.
The total cost of ownership is significantly reduced via cloud services, by offloading operational overhead and eliminating upfront capital costs–pricing starts at $35 per seat.
VMware Horizon DaaS is built on the VMware vCloud Hybrid Service, a platform that enables customers to extend the same applications, networking, management, operations and tools across both on-premise and off-premise environments. By leveraging vCloud Hybrid Service, Horizon DaaS enables customers to extend their data center seamlessly to the cloud and deploy additional hybrid applications alongside their hybrid desktop environment.
“Businesses today are betting big on the cloud and Chromebooks used with Web applications like Google Apps for Business fit the way we work today,” said Caesar Sengupta, vice president of product management at Google. “VMware Horizon DaaS helps companies transition to the cloud while supporting existing Windows applications. Chromebooks are secure, manageable and cost effective, making them a great option for businesses with the impending end of support and security updates on Windows XP.”
