RSSVirtualization in the Enterprise Survey: Your Virtualized State in 2008
Users are working hard to manage complex IT environments while figuring out how far they can push server virtualization without sacrificing application service levels, according to CIO's first survey on virtualization.
Taking Desktop Virtualization Slowly
There are almost as many of you who have virtualized desktops or plan to have them within a year as there are those who have no intention of deploying this technology. Why is desktop virtualization such a polarizing idea? Desktop virtualization proves complex to optimize, analysts say, and planning for it requires more time. "These technologies are not a one size fits all. It takes time to figure out your users' needs and plan the implementation," says Forrester Research Senior Analyst Natalie Lambert. "I don't think CIOs are afraid of user backlash. One of the benefits to hosted desktop virtualization is it looks and feels just like a desktop computer. That's in IT's favor."
Virtual Desktops a Hard Sell
| Currently using virtual desktops | 25% |
| Will deploy within one year | 13% |
| Will deploy within one to three years | 21% |
| Will deploy within three to five years | 5% |
| No plans to use virtualized desktops | 37% |
SOURCE: CIO Research
It's the Time and Money, Honey
It still takes too much money and time to manage desktop PCs, so it's no surprise that cutting IT administrative and support costs tops the reasons for choosing virtual desktops. Long term, security advantages will also prove important, analysts say, even though they're not top of mind right now. "Companies that build their business case around security and manageability are most advanced in their adoption of desktop virtualization," says Forrester Research Senior Analyst Natalie Lambert. Still think desktop virtualization is an idea you can dismiss outright? Citrix made a $500 million bet in 2007 that you're wrong, when it purchased XenSource to marry Citrix's experience in thin clients and Xen's experience in virtualization.
Why Deploy Virtual Desktops?
| Reduce administration and support costs | 62% |
| Provision systems to the end users more quickly | 53% |
| Simplify maintenance | 45% |
| Reduce hardware costs | 36% |
| Improve data security | 31% |
| Improve network security | 18% |
| Other | 13% |
(Respondents chose all up to three)
SOURCE: CIO Research
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