As desktop virtualisation technology matures and gains widespread adoption, companies are becoming aware of its benefits and view it as a strategic investment.
Mordor Intelligence's Market Penetration and Stakeholders research 2014-2020 reveals the desktop virtualisation market is expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2016, from $1.6 billion in 2014, at a compound annual growth rate of 50%.
The key drivers of the desktop virtualisation include cost reduction, more secure data and better infrastructure, improved availability of applications and access to applications from anywhere and on any device, the report reveals.
According to Shailendra Singh, business director, Africa at Wipro, a clear desktop virtualisation strategy brings the concept of bring your own device into reality, as users are able to work with the devices they are comfortable with.
The unified workspace provides end-users with a consistent experience across devices, locations, and via all forms of connectivity, says Singh. Deployed correctly, desktop virtualisation extends the boundaries of the traditional office - the office is anywhere the employee can connect from, he adds.
"By improving the levels of access and ease of use, employees become more productive, more innovative and more collaborative. Company representatives do not have to wait in line at the office to load product orders into the system. With the right virtualisation solution, they can do so from the client's offices, immediately following his or her successful meeting."
As a result, desktop virtualisation accelerates the pace of work within the enterprise, as hand-overs become more seamless and role-players more tightly connected, says Singh, adding in larger organisations, with offices around the country or around the world, these benefits are more visible.
Singh believes there is a growing recognition that business software and applications are best rolled out in short, incremental cycles (as opposed to large jumps every three to five years). This transition becomes far smoother with a virtualised approach, as the IT team centrally deploys and updates the latest versions of various applications.
He says by moving to a virtualised desktop environment, IT teams have the ability to offload the day-to-day management to outsourced partners. Virtualised architecture means remote desktop support can be provided by one's ICT services partner, he adds.
"Shifting the operational burden to an outsourced provider means the organisation's IT team is able to move closer to the business - focusing on strategy and on generating business value. It can better align business strategy with the IT roadmap, and maximise the value of every aspect of its IT estate - including the new virtualised office," concludes Singh.
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