Cisco has announced a new Cisco Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution, which adds highly agile, cloud-based desktop virtualization solutions to its existing desktop virtualization product portfolio. The Cisco DaaS solution is built on the Cisco Desktop Virtualization Solution, enabling cloud providers to offer their customers a Cisco powered, virtual desktop subscription service.
For business customers, the solution claims to provide increased choice and flexibility. Customers can choose to build their own on-premises desktop virtualization solution or buy a cloud-based, as-a-service solution, with Cisco powered performance, scalability, and security.
The Cisco DaaS solution is based on the performance advantages and simplified management provided by its Unified Computing System (UCS) and Unified Data Center (UDC) architecture. To further strengthen this platform, Cisco has improved its underlying desktop virtualization solution to deliver greater scalability and performance, optimized cost, and wider client use case support for DaaS deployments through the following:
– Improved density of hosted virtual desktops offering up to 252 virtual desktops on a single UCS blade server
– Support for end user applications that require high-quality rendering of immersive, 3D graphics
– New UCS solution accelerator packs for desktop virtualization, providing simplified ordering
These enhancements benefit both on-premise and cloud-based (DaaS) implementers and end users, and are the result of Cisco’s continued investment in desktop virtualization solutions.
“Many organizations are looking for ways to achieve the benefits of desktop virtualization without the need to install and maintain equipment or make capital investments,” said Satinder Sethi, Vice President, Engineering. “Not only is Desktop as a Service a great solution for a growing number of companies, but Cisco’s offering is uniquely architected to help cloud service providers achieve rapid time-to-market while economically scaling their business.”
The solution includes deployment options from industry-leading ecosystem partners Desktone by VMware, and Citrix and is available through partners including ChannelCloud, Logicalis, Proxios, Netelligent, and Quest in the Americas; Dimension Data in APJC; and Adapt and ANS Group in EMEAR.
“Desktone by VMware and Cisco have developed a complete and proven blueprint for enabling service providers to offer a Desktop as a Service solution for delivering Windows desktops and applications as a cloud service based on VMware Horizon View,” said Peter McKay, Vice President and General Manager, End-User Computing, VMware. “Our mutual customers such as Logicalis, Quest, Netelligent, Dimension Data, Adapt and ANS are utilizing our unique architecture that includes multi-tenancy, self-service provisioning, multi data center management, multi-desktop model support, grid-scale, and security to deliver Desktop as a Service and provide differentiated value added services to their customers”
“Citrix is working alongside Cisco and its new DaaS solution to help Service Provider partners, such as our mutual customers ChannelCloud and Proxios, to scale quickly, easily and economically, while delivering high levels of performance and service. This enables partners to differentiate with flexibility in desktop deployment models while preserving margins to help them capture new service and revenue opportunities. Our multi-tenant solution based on XenDesktop and XenApp leverages app orchestration to deliver a rich user experience; desktop, mobile and thin-client support; and self-service ease-of-use,” said Mitch Parker, Group Vice President and General Manager, Citrix.
