In a recent study by CDW, a leading provider of technology solutions, the results of the survey showed that more than 95 percent of businesses that deployed server virtualization saved money. While increasing productivity and reducing energy consumption.

Since the inception of VMware, other primary providers of server virtualization platforms have come on board. Many of the providers of virtualization offer a diversified range of services. Including those that are customized to meet the specific needs of every organization.

If you are thinking about making the switch to server virtualization, below is a brief overview of some of the current virtualization platforms. This to provide a general idea of what they are and how they serve an organization. Additionally, we have provided some background on a few considerations you should think about when making the transition to virtualization.

Different Virtualization Platforms

In addition to reducing the total cost of ownership when implementing virtualization, many businesses opt to obtain comprehensive solutions from established virtualization service providers. Virtualization offers many benefits when compared to implementing a new infrastructure in-house. Which can take much longer and potentially cost prohibitive.  The following information describes some of the primary virtualization services that are available for businesses of all sizes.

• VMware

  VMware is a virtualization solution that simplifies data management and provides scalability, flexibility, and increased the availability of applications.  The VMware platform is capable of taking standard hardware and consolidating it into an environment with centralized administrative controls. It also provides excellent security and wizard-based guides to facilitate easy installation.

• Microsoft Hyper-V

  Hyper-V is a virtualization platform by Microsoft that is capable of managing both physical and virtual resources from one set of management tools. Hyper-V server virtualization provides consolidation of server resources. Which is beneficial to companies looking to find a way to reduce costs while still maintaining a competitive advantage. Hyper-V allows for faster system recovery which ensures business continuity. It also provides a secure method of testing by development personnel, to maximize system life cycle while reducing costs.

• Citrix XenApp

  XenApp provides the ability to centralize applications and offers a self-service feature where the end user can easily subscribe to the applications they need and then gain access to the application immediately.  XenApp also provides a high definition experience when users access the apps on any network or device.  It also offers centralized administration, server consolidation, and workflow automation for improved productivity and maintenance.

• Windows Remote Desktop Services

  Remote Desktop Services is a core virtualization technology which allows businesses to implement a centralized desktop strategy.  Through virtualization deployment, Remote Desktop Services provides the opportunity for collaboration from PC desktops across an enterprise and enable IT, professionals, to respond effectively to the needs of the user.  The virtual desktop infrastructure delivers apps without having to compromise compliance.  Additionally, the Server Manager accessed as a single console for efficient management.

Making the Transition to Virtualization

So, what is the impact of switching from today’s multi-server environment to a virtualized world?

Although many benefits make virtualization attractive for businesses and the IT industry as a unit, there are also some factors to take into account when making the transition to virtualization technologies.

It is essential to consider the different factors and action required to ensure the virtualization technology works efficiently and adequately serves the specific needs of your business or organization:

• Cost Estimation

  The considerations should include the cost of acquisition and resource utilization and license.  A plan should prepare which outlines the return on investment for your business that will result from implementing virtualization technologies.

• Technical Challenges

  Before implementing virtualization technologies, it is necessary to perform a comprehensive review of compatibility requirements for server consolidation and software. You should also identify any operational difficulties which could transpire from its introduction.

• Training

  To ensure a smooth transition from a multi-server environment to virtualization, a training curriculum should be implemented. To help both IT professionals and the end users work efficiently in the new environment. Many virtualization providers have the expertise on board to help you with this step of the process.

• Security Considerations

  Although an organization may have security measures in place for the multi-server environment, it is necessary to consider new security threats that can occur in a virtualized environment.  New technology can be susceptible to different forms of malware and other types of infections. These concerns require implementation of a modified intrusion detection plan for protecting the new environment.

In conclusion, the number of ways that virtualization impacts an organization makes it of vital importance to acquire comprehensive knowledge in advance of implementing virtualization. It provides the ultimate guarantee of success when switching to a virtualized environment.

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