User virtualization provides a standardized component-based model for desktop virtualization. It treats the user environment as a separate component that can be managed independently of the operating system and applications. This allows for a single standardized desktop image while still providing personalized environments for users. User virtualization solves issues around profile management, personalization, and migration to non-persistent desktops. It is implemented through policy to configure the desktop, personalization for user customizations, and storage of user data, applications, and settings independently of the operating system. AppSense is a leading provider of user virtualization technology and works closely with Microsoft, Citrix, and VMware to provide user-centric desktop virtualization solutions.

1. User VirtualizationGuy Leech, Systems Architect

2. The traditional PC modelUser EnvironmentApplicationsOperating System

3. The component desktopUser EnvironmentApplicationsOperating System

4. Why Implement Desktop Virtualization?To Reduce Desktop TCO?To Centralize Desktop Management?To Improve Security?To Increase Agility?Why Standardize Virtualized Components??To operate at lowest possible desktop TCO

5. To decrease desktop administration

6. To enable greater agility and flexibility??

7. A Standardized Component Based Model

8. Why Personalize The Desktop?Desktop Virtualization targets the Knowledge/Power user - working historically on physical devices – otherwise SBC such as Citrix XenApp for task based usersUsers are ever more demanding, expecting fully personal environments - acceptance is key to adoptionWithout Personalization, users will experience a default, sterile environmentPersonalization is a major part of DVManage it correctly and reduce risks in DV adoption

9. Technical Challenges for migration (1)The “.v2” profile issueDifferent profile folder structuresDifferent installation pathsDifferent methods of personalisation, e.g. App-VDifferent data types, e.g. WallpapersPermissionsOne time/one way or bidirectional?

10. Other Technical ConsiderationsPerformance – hypervisor has no insight into OSApplication provisioningLocal administrators?Application access– licensing, LOB only“Instantly” usable & familiar environmentLock down

11. Roaming profilesMay be good enoughLow complexity, low volume environmentsNot platform, or build, independentStorage spaceTransfer & logon/logoff timeFolder redirection can help mitigateCorruptionReset one app, resets them all

12. Considerations for non-persistent desktopsWhere the TCO savings are, apparentlyEverything comes from a single “Gold” imageEntire VM (delta disk) discarded at logoffSo what about the customisations/changes to C: ?It’s all in the user profileNo! If only Badly behaved applications – HKLM & c:\blahThe “Save it to C:” brigadeUser installed applicationsBut we (probably) don’t need %SystemRoot% changes

13. In-built profile management technology to optimize user profiles

14. Prevents profile corruption

15. Reduces user logon times

16. But, for more complex environments, you may need more than profile management…A Standardized Component Based Virtual Desktop

17. Does Profile Management enable Lowest Cost DV?Can reduce cost related to profile management issues, such as support deskDoesn’t enable complete configuration and personalization of complex DV environmentsMeaning it does not make the Single OS & App image possibleProfile Management is not the means to Lowest Cost DV…. So what is?

18. So how does AppSense do it?PolicySet up and maintain a desktopPersonalizationEnable the user to make it their desktop

19. The User EnvironmentPersonality Store for JohnJohn’s Policy:User RightsApplication AccessDrive / Printer AccessInstallation AccessDesktop SetupJohn’s Personalization:Desktop CustomizationsApplication Customizationse.g. Wallpaper, language settings, email signaturesJohn’s Applications:Non-packaged appsNon-corporate appsBrowser plug-insAll stored independent of the corporate desktop and provisioned as needed across any delivery mechanism and into any Windows OS.

20. User VirtualizationCross-platform, cross-delivery environment – the component desktopThe new desktop estate will be a combination of delivery technologies

21. The desktop is moving towards a component model

22. The user is one of those componentsVirtualized User InfrastructureIn the same way the OS and applications are managed through a corporate infrastructure, the user now has to be treated the same way

23. Enterprise-scalable user management infrastructure

24. Based on user virtualization technologyAppSense and VMware VMware View (Awaiting) Profile MgtReduced user logon times

25. Prevents profile corruptionVMware ViewAppSense User VirtualizationFor complex desktop environments

26. In SummaryUser virtualization is key to hosted virtual desktops, client and cloud-delivered apps

27. Management of the user’s environment is an infrastructure play

28. AppSense are the leader in user virtualization technology. We deliver the infrastructure

29. The user environment ‘layer’ has become a peer to the OS and application layersWho are AppSense?Leading provider of “User Virtualization” solutions for the enterprise

30. Infrastructure to manage the user environment

31. New York, Palo Alto, London, Manchester, Munich, Amsterdam, Melbourne

32. Profitable, robust and privately held

33. Over 4,000 enterprise customers

34. 195 employees

35. 300+ Channel PartnersAppSense AlliancesTen year relationship, MS Gold Partner

36. High Potential Managed Partner in 2009

37. Over 4000 joint customers

38. AppSense / Microsoft / Citrix solution for desktop virtualization

39. Only Citrix-recommended user virtualization solution

40. Tier 2 Vendor for desktop virtualization

41. Approx 50% attach rate to Citrix virtual desktop sales

42. AppSense / Microsoft / Citrix solution for desktop virtualization

43. VMware TAP Partner and VMware Ready

44. Close partnership with approx 40% attach rate to VMware virtual desktop sales

45. AppSense / VMware solution for desktop virtualization

46. Six year working relationship (also Siemens)

47. The only user virtualization vendor in the Fujitsu offering

48. AppSense included in DWP deal (largest desktop outsourcing project in UK)

49. Good pipeline of business

50. Virtualized User InfrastructureInfrastructure to manage users across all your delivery platforms

51. Enables the use of new application delivery models such as cloud

52. User Policy: Tailoring applications, Configuring the operating system

53. Personal Settings: A familiar working environment at all times

54. User Applications: Persisting user installed applications and plug-ins

55. User Data: common view of data/files across distributed execution environmentsUserDataUserAppsPersonalSettingsUser PolicyUser ExperienceUser Virtualization

56. AppSense with Microsoft/Citrix Joint SolutionIntegrated end-to-end suite for desktop virtualization

57. Dynamically-assembled virtual desktops on-demand

58. Maximize operational flexibility while simplifying desktop management

59. Enterprise-scale user adoption of the Citrix/Microsoft VDI solution

60. A personal and flexible desktop across all desktop delivery technologies

61. Accelerate migration of users to Windows 7

62. Reduce desktop management costs by enabling image standardizationUserDataUserAppsPersonalSettingsUser PolicyUser ExperienceUser VirtualizationApplication DeliveryOptionsDesktopDeliveryXenDesktopfor IntegratedManagementWindowsVECD

63. That’s all folks Catch me at:appsense.wordpress.com/author/guyrleechGuy.Leech@AppSense.comVMware Communities @guyrleech www.insidetheregistry.comTwitter @guyrleech

64. Thank-you