Mitel (Nasdaq:MITL), a leading provider of unified communications software solutions, has announced that VMware and Mitel have unveiled a significant technical advancement designed to considerably increase the already growing deployment of desktop virtualisation for IT departments around the world.
Specifically, Mitel will integrate its virtualised Unified Communicator (UC) Advanced client software with VMware View 5, enabling Mitel and VMware to deliver soft phone and mobile device integration into a desktop virtualisation environment.
This unique collaboration will dramatically extend the power of desktop virtualisation, enabling a user's voice solution and UC applications to be deployed together as a single unified solution in a virtual desktop environment. By doing so, IT departments can significantly reduce costs, while extending their desktop and mobile environment to anywhere a user has an Internet connection.
“Today's announcement represents a significant step forward in the evolution of desktop virtualisation,” said Rich Costello, senior research analyst at IDC.
“These new technology breakthroughs will help accelerate adoption of desktop virtualisation. IT departments should begin evaluating how and when they should make the transition to this type of environment.”
VMware View and Mitel UC Advanced
This integration represents a significant technical achievement. Today, users cannot stream virtualised Mitel voice applications to a virtual desktop without significant impact to performance and latency.
In addition to accessing the desktop with VMware View, users will also be able to access their collaboration tools, including voice, video, presence, secure instant messaging, audio and Web conferencing, document-sharing, voice-messaging and e-mail, from their VMware View client.
Desktop virtualisation using VMware View offers IT tremendous benefits by moving desktops and applications into the cloud, and delivering them as a managed service. IT administration is more automated and efficient, security is improved and the total cost of desktop ownership can be reduced by as much as 50%. End-users can get a rich, consistent and high-performance desktop experience from any qualified device - including mobile devices like tablets and smartphones - whether in the office or on the go.
VMware and Mitel are combining the capabilities of VMware View with Mitel's UC Advanced client software, giving users of a virtualised desktop access to both their desktop applications and their communications apps, essentially making both their desktop computer and communications device (mobile, soft phone or desk phone) available to them, no matter where they may be.
“VMware and Mitel have helped 'crack the code' on streaming communications and collaboration applications to the virtual desktop, thus giving IT freedom from the 'walled garden' approach driven by legacy IT vendors,” said Christopher Young, vice-president and general manager, End-User Computing, VMware.
“Mitel's Freedom architecture, which already delivers an open, single software solution on a virtual machine, has now been augmented to support streaming on the VMware View desktop client software. By doing so, VMware is taking another step forward in enabling universal desktop access, delivering a truly open model that benefits both IT and the user,” he said.
“IT departments now have a powerful new tool to help them manage their infrastructure,” said Andy Bull, managing director of Mitel South Africa.
“With UC as another virtualised application available on any device, they will have greater control and flexibility than ever, while still reducing capital costs,” said Bull.
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Mitel
Mitel (NASDAQ: MITL) is a global provider of business communications and collaboration software and services. Mitel's Freedom architecture provides the flexibility and simplicity organisations need to support today's dynamic work environment. Through a single cloud-ready software stream, Mitel delivers a powerful suite of advanced communications and collaboration capabilities that provide freedom from walled garden architectures, and enable organisations to implement best-of-breed solutions on any network; extends the 'in-office' experience anywhere, on any device; and offers choice of commercial options to fit business needs. For more information, visit: http://www.mitel.com.
VMware
VMware (NYSE: VMW) delivers virtualisation and cloud infrastructure solutions that enable IT organisations to energise businesses of all sizes. With the industry-leading virtualisation platform - VMware vSphere - customers rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, improve agility, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2010 revenues of $2.9 billion, more than 250 000 customers and 25 000 partners, VMware is the leader in virtualisation, which consistently ranks as a top priority among CIOs. VMware is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world, and can be found online at http://www.vmware.com.
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