Desktop virtualization is an increasingly important technology for the public sector. As agencies face restrictive budgets, uncertain funding, demands for bring-your-own-device strategies and pressures to collaborate over a dispersed workforce, desktop virtualization allows agencies to provide a simple, cost-effective and secure way for employees to access applications and resources needed to perform their job function from any device and from any location. Cisco also has a series of videos and resources discussing desktop virtualization with Cisco VXI. Be sure to take a look at the video below, I’ve also provided some links as well to related videos.
More Videos and Resources
The Creation of Pre-Validated Solutions that Allow Customers to Do More with Less
Releasing Data Center Footprints
VXI: Increased Productivity with Telework
Attracting the Best Employees with Telework Policies
The Benefits Private Industries Have Seen Through VXI
Cisco recently released a report, Desktop Virtualization for Government with Cisco VXI , which identified benefits for desktop virtualization for the public sector. The report states, “A range of government agencies—from law enforcement and the justice system to planning and transportation—need access to geographic information systems and mission-critical tools. Desktop virtualization makes it easy to extend these applications quickly to emergency first responders as well as employees managing routine government operations and planning.”
Interestingly, the report also identifies that with increasing budget and personnel constraints, agencies must be able to continue to provide access to legacy application on modern systems. The report also provides 11 government uses cases and the benefits for desktop virtualization. The following government use cases can be found in the report, Desktop Virtualization for Government with Cisco VXI.
Easier to manage desktop environments
By centralizing the management and control of desktops, government agencies can save time and resources while increasing access to applications and productivity. For example, public or shared desktop PCs can be automatically refreshed every night to present a consistent desktop experience. Unlike traditional computers that must be ordered, configured, and provisioned, virtual desktops can be deployed in minutes.
Reduced Windows 7 migration costs.
A vast number of agencies are migrating to Microsoft Windows 7 as support for Windows XP expires. This migration represents an opportunity to enhance the end-user experience. Using Cisco’s tested methodologies and partner technologies, customers have been able to reduce the time and cost of migration significantly and improve security and control.
Increased security and data protection
Each virtual desktop can be configured with a standard image that is compliant with the agency’s security and protection guidelines. In addition, the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) supports both physical and virtual desktops so that IT can use the same security technology and policies to recognize devices and approve their access to information, whether they are in the physical or virtual environment.
Enhanced regulatory compliance
The ability to monitor every virtual machine makes it easier to comply with regulations.
Improved backup and disaster recovery
Since virtual desktops reside in the data center, they are backed up regularly without requiring expensive local backup software on individual PCs and laptops. Cisco VXI also enables backing up the full desktop image so that it can be redeployed in a matter of minutes rather than the much longer period of time it can take to reimage a physical desktop. In the event of a disaster, users gain secure access to their data and applications from any location.
Mobile workers
Cisco VXI extends anytime, anywhere access for mobile workers, while offering choice of endpoints and maintaining security and control.
Provides support for “bring your own device” (BYOD)
Cisco VXI helps government IT organizations provide secure access to workers who bring their own devices into the workplace, without requiring IT to control or remotely wipe these devices.
Teleworkers
Cisco VXI enables home-based telework for secure access to voice, video, and data resources.
Reduced operational costs
By managing desktops centrally for a large number of users, agencies can reduce help desk calls and enhance the provisioning of new desktops.
Reduced ongoing capital expenditures
Consolidating IT infrastructure into the data center helps delay hardware refreshes and reduces storage requirements. VDI implementations typically require initial capital expenditures that translate in significant savings over the implementation’s lifecycle.
Provides a path to cloud computing
Desktop virtualization provides seamless migration to cloud-based computing
These are just some of the benefits to desktop virtualization, what has your experience been and what are some benefits you have identified?
Related Resources
- Cisco VXI: Desktop Virtualization
- Cisco Virtualization Experience Infrastructure (VXI)
- Desktop Virtualization
- Virtualization Experience Client
- VXI with Citrix
- VXI with VMware
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I’d like to hear one specific agency or sub-agency that’s implemented desktop virtualization.