VMware Grows End-User Portfolio with Horizon FLEX
VMware (VMW) recently announced several new additions to its end-user computing portfolio, most notably Horizon FLEX, the company’s solution to help enterprises centrally provision, manage and secure virtual desktops and applications running locally on Macs and PCs. VMware also previewed its new Horizon Air Desktop Disaster Recovery solution and VMware App Volumes, which provides application delivery at scale to VMware and other third-party desktops.
VMware (VMW) recently announced several new additions to its end-user computing portfolio, most notably Horizon FLEX, the company’s solution to help enterprises centrally provision, manage and secure virtual desktops and applications running locally on Macs and PCs. VMware also previewed its new Horizon Air Desktop Disaster Recovery solution and VMware App Volumes (formerly Cloud Volumes), which provides application delivery at scale to VMware and other third-party desktops.
With Horizon Flex, VMware expects enterprise users to be able to provision and manage local, corporate Windows-based virtual desktops for Mac users via a secure corporate desktop. Straight out of the press release, Horizon FLEX will provide:
- Flexible Deployment Options: Standardized virtual desktops for PC and Mac end users can be provisioned for customers, contractors or remote employees through the corporate network or locally on a USB drive.
- Centralized Control: Centralized policy-based management creates a more secure virtual desktop environment that assists with securing data, configurations and virtual disks. Device control can allow or deny use of peripheral devices, expiration control enables IT to set a timeframe for virtual desktops to expire and remote kill can disable virtual desktops remotely in case of theft, termination or lack of corporate compliance.
- Unified Image Management: Virtual desktops can be managed as a set of logical layers owned by IT or the end user. Dynamic layer for desktop and application management using VMware Mirage™ technology enables IT managed layers to be updated while maintaining end-user files and personalization.
- IT Cost Reductions: Enable Bring Your Own PC (BYOPC) and support Macs in the enterprise without having to support the system itself. This can reduce training needs by allowing employees to use their system of choice, expedite new employee on boarding, and eliminate the cost of sending a physical laptop.
- Interoperability with AirWatch: Utilize AirWatch OS X management to provision and manage Mac OS X devices including the configuration of VMware Fusion and the installation of desktop and application containers.
“We continue to dramatically accelerate the pace of innovation with new end-user computing and mobility solutions that will help VMware customers address the needs of their workforce,” said Sanjay Poonen, executive vice president and general manager, End-User Computing at VMware, in a statement. “Building on the strong launch momentum for VMware Workspace Suite and new innovations in the AirWatch Enterprise Mobility Management platform, VMware Horizon FLEX joins a growing lineup of VMware End-User Computing products that transform legacy systems into a modern workspace that solves modern day challenges.”
Additionally, VMware is introducing Horizon Air Desktop DR, a new service to help organizations protect their cloud-hosted desktops and applications. The solution will allow users to connect to their corporate resources from any device, while allowing IT to get enterprise data online after a disaster faster than a traditional physical desktop recovery solution, according to the company.
VMware said the addition of Horizon FLEX gives customers the choice between three different virtual desktop options, including Horizon 6 and Horizon Air. Horizon FLEX is expected to be available this quarter and will be licensed per device with prices starting at $250, according to the company.
Horizon Air Desktop DR is also expected to be available this quarter and will be licensed per reserved desktop with prices starting at $5 per desktop per month. Finally, VMware App Volumes will be available this quarter and are included free with Horizon Enterprise or as a stand-alone solution beginning at $150 per user.
