VDI, or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, allows users to access their desktop environment from any device without being tied to a specific computer. It eliminates the need to reconfigure computers for different training courses or software needs. SPi Global implemented a VDI project to realize benefits like improved security, easier management and scaling, and increased productivity. Initial user testing of VDI was positive, though challenges around licensing and user experience had to be addressed. Success required a dedicated team and vendor support. VDI is expected to further enable innovations like improved disaster recovery, private app stores, and reduced travel costs through virtual conferencing.

1. A dash of
News tidbits from the intranet newsletter of SPi Global
Please email article contributions to spice@spi-global.com.
If you think you need to lug your desktop PC or
laptop everywhere you go just to be able to work,
then you haven’t heard of VDI yet.
The Power of VDI
No desktop or laptop? No problem.
BY ANTHONY O. ALCANTARA
The VDI project team demonstrates the power of VDI to SPi Global. Shown here are, from left: Dimension Data Engineer Angelo Miranda, AVP for Enterprise Support Group
John Forbes, Systems INFRA Engineer Fregie Dela Cruz, VDI Project Manager Erlyn Delos Santos, Systems INFRA Engineer Allan Constantino, Network Manager Michael
Manalo, ESG Systems Engineer Romulo Pasion, Joseph Keh of Site IT Libertad, Systems INFRA Engineer Ryan Michael Penuliar, and Christian Natividad of Site IT Head Office.
VDI refers to Virtual Desktop
Infrastructure. It allows you to
connect to your“desktop”without
being tied to any device. All the files,
all the software, and all the sensitive
stuff are conveniently located in a
server somewhere in the network.
Any suitable access device allows you
to access them all by just logging in.
Indeed the implications and
possibilities can tickle the
imagination. Mark Mistal,
Vice President for IT Operations,
Security and Compliance, who
initiated the move to implement VDI,
was inspired to think,“What if…?”
He said one quick benefit of VDI in
SPi Global is with training.
Any access device like this computer can now be used
to access all the files and software that a user needs.
January 29, 2014

2. A Dash of SPiCE | News tidbits from the intranet newsletter of SPi Global
Please email article contributions to spice@spi-global.com.
It used to be that training took
some time to set up.You get a
room equipped with the needed
computers.Then all of those
computers have to be configured and
installed with the requisite software
for the specific training course.
But then you have many other
batches and training courses for
different accounts or clients. It
gets cumbersome indeed. All the
computers will then have to be
reconfigured again and installed
with a different set of software.
Simple access
VDI eliminates all this hoopla. All
you have to do is get an access
device,even one lacking the bells and
whistles of hi-tech gadgetry,go to the
appropriate URL (uniform resource
locator),aka,web address,and log in.
You now have access to all the files
and software you’re allowed to use.
“VDI is a new technology that
brings back centralized processing
and storage,”said Mark.“It allows
management to monitor and control
information and access better.This
can eventually evolve into a bigger
scale where we may see efficiencies
in how we deliver IT support and
conduct our day-to-day business.”
In other words,VDI has numerous
advantages: security, scalability,
centralized management and
control, enhanced productivity and
employee empowerment, reduced
power consumption.
But, as the cliché goes, the proof of
the pudding is in the eating.
Realizing value
“The next step for VDI is for our
clients, operations, and training
to use and see the value it brings.
Over the course of the year, we will
support and work with our clients to
assess the value of this technology,
and calculate the savings if we are to
plan and implement full scale VDI in
2015 and beyond,”said Mark.
So far,the UAT,or user acceptance test,
for two clients are very encouraging.
Many more are forthcoming.
Rey Picar,Vice President for
IT Architecture and Design, said
there were a few challenges in
the implementation.
“We had to consider the software
licensing terms from Microsoft
since it can have a big impact on the
viability of the project.We also had
to demonstrate the ROI (return on
investment) and carefully determine
the best site for the data center.
The acceptance of the end users
is critical.The experience must be
at least as good as the old trusty
desktop,”said Rey, whose team was
responsible for the implementation.
Secret of success
Rey’s team hurdled these challenges,
though, thanks to a dedicated and
skilled team and the support of
the vendor.
But still, there must be a secret to
the team’s success.
Erlyn Delos Santos, the VDI Project
Manager, reveals what it is.
“The only secret we have is good
communication lines and positive
relationships within our team,”she
said.“It also helped that our vendor
was also very supportive with all our
requests and was very committed to
meeting our requirements.”
Now that we know that VDI benefits
end users and IT administrators, how
about SPi Global and our clients?
Other innovations
Patrick Santos, Chief Information
Officer, said two important benefits
come to mind: improved business
continuity and disaster recovery, and
better business support provisioning.
But he foresees other innovations,
too.Web conferencing is one. It can
save on travel costs and time spent
traveling,increase efficiency and
engagement,and introduce flexibility.
Opening private app (software
application) stores is another.
Soon there may be special apps
for accessing content that you can
download on almost any device.The
privacy, convenience, and security of
these apps would be a godsend.
“We hope that VDI would turn all
these possibilities into realities,”
said Patrick.“If all goes well, we’d
be enjoying most of them in the
coming years.”
The PAL and PALEX Operations and Training team and the Iloilo IT team give the thumbs up sign for the VDI UAT
(user acceptance test).
January 29, 2014