All in all, VMware View is a functional VDI implementation with more than a few quirks and foibles. If carefully administered, it's a suitable option for a VDI implementation, though there are several places where substantial improvements could be made, specifically in desktop pool administration and the entire Web-based management UI.

VMware's main competitor in the VDI space is Citrix's XenDesktop (see review), which is quite a bit more advanced in terms of management and administration, but lacks the VMware VI3 back end when run with the native XenServer. No big surprise here: Citrix is better at desktop management and VMware is better at core virtualization fundamentals.Regardless of the VDI technology used, implementing VDI could be considered more of a political than a technical challenge. Users tend to bristle when the core of their work is disturbed and will be quick to point out flaws and problems, whether or not they exist. You'll want to make sure that the VDI build is as solid as possible before beginning a small-scale pilot.

Also problematic with any VDI initiative are the desktop options available. At the moment, eight-year-old Windows XP is the most popular candidate to form the VDI baseline. This is a problem from several perspectives and affects all VDI products. With Microsoft Vista apparently dead in the water and Windows 7 still in beta, it's unfortunately not an issue that is likely to be resolved soon.

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