subject: Enterprise Virtual Desktop Alternatives : A Market Scan [print this page] Desktop virtualisation is an innovation hotspot in 2009. There are more than 25 vendors active in this market, ranging from market leaders Citrix and VMware through leading followers to start-ups driving specific innovations.
Table of Contents
Executive summary
In a nutshell
Desktop virtualisation
Why desktop virtualisation?
Why now?
A brief description of terms
Desktop virtualisation
Traditional thin-client systems
Hosted virtual desktops (HVDs)
Application virtualisation
Market leaders
Citrix
Citrix Background
Citrixs major desktop virtualisation products
Citrix and Microsoft are joined at the hip
Separation between Microsoft and Citrix is possible
But a split would not affect customers
VMware
VMwares future is assured
VMwares history in desktop virtualisation is mixed
VMwares main desktop virtualisation products
VMware is committed to desktop virtualisation
Microsoft
Microsoft is threatened by desktop virtualisation
Microsoft is on the case
Microsofts major desktop virtualisation products
Citrix versus VMware
Other suppliers
A wide range of other suppliers are following the leaders
