VMware announces Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Alliance

Quoting from the VMware official announcement:

VMware, Inc., the global leader in virtualization software for industry-standard systems, today announced the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Alliance. The Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Alliance is a technology alliance of hardware, software and service providers for building joint virtual desktop offerings.

Using VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, IT administrators host and centrally manage desktop virtual machines in their data center while offering end users a full desktop experience that can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

As part of the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Alliance, VMware plans to collaborate with each member to create, test and integrate joint desktop hosting offerings based on VMware virtual infrastructure and the partner’s hardware or software product. Customers will have the freedom and flexibility to choose their preferred partner and deploy a best in class enterprise desktop solution that meets their business needs.

VMware has engaged a number of technology vendors to form this alliance including Altiris, AppStream, Ardence, ATOS Origin, Check Point Software Technologies, Citrix, ClearCube Technology, Devon IT, Dunes Technologies, Fujitsu, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hitachi, HP, IBM, Leostream, NComputing, NEC, Platform Computing, Propero, Provision Networks, Route1, Softricity, Sun, Wyse Technology and Zeus Technology…

Jerry Chen, Director of Enterprise Desktop Platforms and Solutions at VMware, wrote a very illuminating insight about VDI on the official VMware executives blog: The Console.

VMware is also offering a 25 virtual desktops pilot program for interested customers.
During the demo customers will see a special Virtual Desktop Manager software for enterprise management of virtual desktops.
The pilot lasts up to 4 days and costs $18,000 USD + travel and incidental costs.

An online demo can be requested here.