Virtual desktops ripe for deployment, hindered by cost
March 11, 2009
Desktop virtualization, with its promises of improved security, manageability and flexibility, may be on the verge of huge adoption, some experts are predicting.
But as with many new technologies, there is a catch. ROI is one of the main selling points, but desktop virtualization requires significant upfront costs and it can easily take three or four years to realize financial rewards.
“I see huge interest right now, for many reasons,” says Forrester analyst Natalie Lambert. “But the challenge is that desktop virtualization is a very costly endeavor. I don’t care what people tell you otherwise, they’re wrong.”
Gartner’s latest numbers released this month predict that hosted virtual desktop revenue will quadruple this year, going from US$74.1 million worldwide in 2008 to nearly $300 million in 2009.
Meanwhile, a survey of 340 IT managers found that 41% are already investing in desktop virtualization, and that the technology is a “critical priority” for 22%, according to IDG Research Services Group.