Analyze the Results After you gather data through a


VDI POC, you need to identify the department or processes that will benefit most from VDI. The pilot project should focus on improving the end-user experience, reducing support needs, and ultimately lowering operational costs. To achieve those somewhat lofty


goals, it is important to measure results. Metrics such as the number of help desk requests, network congestion, and license usage can help you plan for a larger VDI project rollout, even beyond the pilot stage.


Where to Begin? To start a staggered VDI project,


determine where in your organization you should begin deploying desktops. That decision depends on many factors: Physical Location: If your


IT resources are close to where the project is deployed, it reduces support response times and latency. Skill Level of the User: VDI


often has less of an effect on employees who use only basic PC functions, for instance. It’s imperative to consider who should be using virtual desktops. Training Needs: Those employees


who already use the same applications and operating systems on physical desktops that are targeted for virtualization may not need training. Usage Shifts: Departments that


operate during the same hours as IT are easier to support. You should also consider department workload and replacement


cycles when planning a staggered VDI project rollout. For example, if a particular department is due for application upgrades, OS updates, or hardware refreshes, it may be a good idea to move that department to the top of the deployment list. If you don’t have the resources available to launch a VDI project and an upgrade project simultaneously, or if that sounds too complex, it may be best to move that department to the bottom of the list. That way you can eliminate any bugs before deploying VDI in a department that also requires other updates.


Monitor Your Progress As you start your VDI project rollout


in the area of your business that will benefit most, you need to measure, manage, and report on usage and functionality. Once you succeed with the pilot project, it’s time to continue rolling out a full implementation. Deploying VDI in bite-size pieces reduces teething pains and prevents IT resources from becoming saturated. No matter how prepared you are for the complete VDI deployment, there will still be some surprises. Use the data you’ve gathered in the VDI POC and pilot stages to forge ahead and resolve problems on the go.


department at once with VDI—just focus on one or two individuals who perform a variety of functions. The goal of a VDI POC is to generate


data about the functionality of your virtual desktops and their effects on network operations, support needs and more, which you can then use to determine how a larger pilot program should proceed. With a VDI project rollout, the challenges are not usually on the technical side, but on the management and resources side of the equation.


Start Your Journey to VDI with PoC More than ever, IT departments want to realize the benefits of desktop virtualization—cost savings, ease of management, improved security, and platform independence.


The first step is to evaluate how applications would perform in this environment. Our PoC appliance allows you to immediately begin testing your applications on virtual desktop technology in their own environment.


Our PoC appliance delivers analytics that help capture and quantify effects to


your infrastructure as applications and features are tested and turned on—a critical data point in successful data-driven decisions about VDI in your organization.


Call your Account Manager to order your VDI Proof of Concept Appliance today. 1.800.800.0014 www.pcconnection.com/vdipoc


IMAGE © BUCHACHON / FOTOLIA CONNECTION/BUSINESS IT 2012.Q3 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36