Virtualisation will become the most disruptive
technology to face the PC in a decade, according to research by
Gartner.
It reports that PC virtualisation technology will revolutionise the
enterprise desktop by decoupling PC hardware and software, allowing
multiple operating systems to run simultaneously on a single
desktop.
Gartner says virtualisation will enable IS departments to
implement more efficient IT support policies, achieve more
cost-effective outsourcing contracts for PC support, and drive
total cost of ownership savings in PC deployment.
It also says that virtualisation will dramatically redefine the
PC industry, removing product differentiation, and forcing
suppliers to compete purely on service and price.
Brian Gammage, vice-president at Gartner, said, “PC
virtualisation will achieve a broad appeal over the next five
years.
"The technology has been used in niche applications for a number
of years, but increased industry support from major players, such
as Intel and Microsoft, will rapidly move it to the mainstream.
"This will have significant ramifications for the PC hardware,
software and wider ICT services industries.”
Gartner sees PC virtualisation as providing a short cut to
deployment best practices for users.
Users would be provided with two different environments: one
that is unlocked for users to add devices and to install any
software they choose, and a fully locked-down, highly managed, and
well-understood environment, to which the IS organisation can
securely deploy critical business applications.
The IS department would retain full control over network
security, while users can install and run new applications that may
enhance their effectiveness, without increasing the burden on
already beleaguered support staff.
According to Gartner, IS departments which are successful in the
deployment of virtualisation technology are also likely to swiftly
review both IT services and outsourcing procedures.
PC virtualisation will reportedly assist in drawing clear lines
between what is and is not managed by the IS organisation. Gartner
says the potentially huge benefits for users will create equally
significant implications for the industry.
“Software suppliers will need to become much more flexible in
order to compete in this new landscape. Changes in the way software
is licensed are inevitable, as PC virtualisation software will
challenge current one-licence-per-user ratio.
"In the short term, some will see this as an opportunity to sell
more licences: however, this will be harmful in the long run. Few
software suppliers have woken up to this deployment scenario, and
there is currently little consensus on how they might respond. This
is a wake-up call,” says Gammage.
Gartner adds that hardware suppliers and component manufacturers
will also be affected, and predicts that the ultimate new standard
for client computing will be a virtual platform based on software,
not hardware.
Written by
Computing SA staff