In the virtualization vendor community, the phase “desktop transformation” is tossed around on a regular basis. It certainly sounds great. After all, who doesn’t want to get up every day to do “transformational” work. But what does desktop transformation really mean?
Is deploying virtual desktop infrastructure desktop transformation? Is rolling out Windows 7 on native PCs desktop transformation? Is adopting application virtualization desktop transformation? Is making broader use of Citrix XenApp and other remote session technologies desktop transformation? What about enabling use of iPads and other non-traditional computing devices? Or launching a bring your own device program?
In my view, the answer to any of these questions could be yes. More often, in fact, a typical organization’s desktop of tomorrow will include a heterogeneous combination of devices and deployment approaches. It will also be ever-changing. Desktop transformation will not have a beginning and an end.
The most successful IT teams will be the ones that shift their mindset away from point-in-time projects and instead focus on making intelligence and adaptability part of an ongoing desktop lifecycle. When you have information and you have options, everything gets easier. What in the past would have been a major project instead becomes a turn of the steering wheel.
This lifecycle approach to desktop transformation is bigger than any one technology vendor. In addition to the key deployment players like Microsoft, Citrix, and VMware, there are a number of specialized companies out there that can help inject intelligence and flexibility into the desktop lifecycle. If you look at the strategic alliances AppSense has formed in recent weeks, you begin to see a theme taking shape.
It started with key alliances with assessment and analysis leaders Lakeside Software and Centrix Software, enabling our customers to understand in detail how their environment is presently comprised and make informed decisions about how to bring about change.
Today, we completed another key piece of the transformation lifecycle puzzle by forging a strategic partnership with App-DNA. For most in the industry, App-DNA requires no introduction. Like me, you’ve probably seen them up on a stage more than once collecting awards at major industry events.
App-DNA combines unmatched application compatibility intelligence with actionable remediation guidance to help IT teams accelerate the adoption of new application deployment approaches. If you agree with my view that a heterogeneous collection of deployment methods with be the new normal, think of the App-DNA as drawing the blueprint to make it all work. Which applications can be delivered via XenApp? Which are better suited to App-V? Are there some that won’t work with either and need to be installed directly into the image? Are there user account control or 64-bit compatibility issues hiding beneath the surface? App-DNA answers all of these questions and many more.
There are already numerous organizations that have found the intelligence provided by App-DNA and the application deployment flexibility offered by AppSense to be perfect complements. Now that we have formalized our relationship, it will be even easier for IT teams to take a lifecycle-based approach to desktop transformation.