Endpoint virtualization is a catch-all term for a range of technologies – known not only as endpoint virtualization, but also as desktop virtualization, application virtualization, workspace virtualization, user virtualization, client virtualization, and more – aimed at abstracting the end user experience from the physical systems they rely on to provide that experience.

There is a dearth of understanding of these technologies – what technologies exist, how they differ from each other, their real use cases, outcomes, target markets, difficulties, and cost benefits. Many commentaries have expounded on their supposed benefits, some have warned of specific dangers, yet these have been mostly been based only on anecdotal evidence, personal experience, and academic investigation. Moreover, they have often been exceedingly biased, to the point of being useless.

In order to provide a useful understanding of the real world drivers, use cases, and outcomes from desktop virtualization, application virtualization, and other endpoint virtualization technologies, EMA conducted a detailed survey of current endpoint virtualization deployments, collected multiple interviews with real world users of desktop virtualization, application virtualization, and other endpoint virtualization technologies, and provided case studies with deep insight and qualitative analysis into various endpoint virtualization technologies.

All of these data and stories are collected in this research report, to provide end user organizations and software vendors with a unique combination of quantitative and qualitative research into real world experiences of endpoint virtualization.


Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Overview of Endpoint Virtualization
Models for Endpoint Virtualization
Desktop Virtualization
Application Virtualization
Definitions for Survey Purposes
‘Bring Your Own PC’ (BYOPC)
Expectations of Endpoint Virtualization
Promoted Outcomes of Endpoint Virtualization
Key Drivers for Endpoint Virtualization Deployments
Actual Benefits of Endpoint virtualization
Overall Cost Benefit
Quantifying the Cost Benefits
Individual Cost Saving Outcomes
Functional Benefits
Penetration within the Enterprise
Today’s Real-World Deployments
Current Technology Deployments
Current Server-Hosted Desktop Virtualization Deployments
Current Endpoint Virtualization Users
Future Deployment Plans
Planned Technology Deployments
Planned Server-Hosted Desktop Virtualization Deployments
Key Barriers to Success
Human Issues
Functionality, Scalability, Compatibility
Choosing an Endpoint Virtualization Solution
Case Studies in User-Facing Virtualization
Seamless OS Migration
Secure Access and Disaster Recovery
Doubling Application Productivity
Supporting Legacy Applications
HIPAA Compliance and Mobility
Faster, Cheaper, Secure Desktop Deployment
Thin Clients for Agility, Mobility, and Cost Reduction
Supporting Explosive Growth without Additional IT Staff
EMA Perspective
Appendix A: Demographics and Methodology