Unidesk Available As Part Of Dell Desktop Virtualisation Solutions

Unidesk announced that its desktop layering software is now available as part of Dell’s portfolio of desktop virtualisation solutions (DVS). Dell DVS Enterprise, designed for organisations with demanding IT environments and diverse end-user requirements, incorporates Unidesk to make it easier and more affordable for IT organisations to implement virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). DVS Enterprise with Unidesk combines the latest Dell 12G servers, Dell storage and Dell network components, broker and hypervisor software, services and end points, and Unidesk virtual desktop provisioning and management software.

Unidesk integrates with technology from both Citrix and VMware to provide the vital application delivery, image management, storage optimisation, and personalisation capabilities needed to simplify and expand VDI implementations. Unidesk also announced that it has added the ability to provision desktops directly into Citrix XenDesktop catalogs and groups, bringing its broker integration on par with VMware View and giving DVS Enterprise customers the option to use Unidesk with either solution.

“Our goal with DVS Enterprise is to bring a robust and flexible end to end solution with enhanced levels of management and cost optimisation,” said Steve Lalla, Vice President and General Manager of the Mobility Solutions Group, Dell. “With Unidesk layering technology added to DVS Enterprise, we make it easier and more affordable for IT to deploy and manage virtual desktops leveraging the DVS Integrated Solutions Stack infrastructure. We are now able to give each end user a personal and uncompromised persistent desktop experience every time they log in.”

Unidesk’s new integration with Citrix XenDesktop enables IT administrators to provision desktops customised with different combinations of Unidesk operating system and application “layers” directly into XenDesktop catalogs and groups. Separate administrative tools are no longer needed to create virtual desktops, package and deliver applications, manage Microsoft Windows gold images, optimise storage, and sustain desktop customisations such as profile settings and user-installed applications.

In addition to greater VDI simplicity, Unidesk also offers a number of unique VDI management capabilities, which includes central layering of standard applications, comprising the many applications that cannot be packaged and delivered by application virtualisation technology. Once layered, applications can be assigned to one or more desktops without reinstallation.

With Unidesk, administrators can package departmental applications in the time it takes to install them once on a regular desktop, making them easy to centrally deliver, patch, and update.

Unidesk’s ability to layer all applications separately enables IT organisations to use one clean, pristine gold image for all desktops. By eliminating gold image sprawl common in complex VDI environments, Unidesk greatly minimises the cost of installing Windows hot fixes and service packs.

IT organisations, with the help of Unidesk can also quickly repair damage caused by user-installed applications and other user configurations with Level 1 support staff, and avoid costly service escalations.

“Our customers have validated how Unidesk layering technology simplifies VDI, expands use cases, and brings greater ROI to desktop virtualisation implementations,” said Don Bulens, Unidesk CEO. “We’re thrilled that Dell has recognised these same value propositions, and has further validated layering as a VDI game-changer by making Unidesk part of DVS Enterprise. With Dell’s market presence and Unidesk’s software innovation, the many benefits of virtual desktops are finally available to all.”