Microsoft announced a “FREE” VDI solution

For almost a decade, every single year is announced to be “The year of VDI”. Microsoft just put another coin in the juke box today annoucing a Windows Virtual Desktop service included in Windows 365 subscriptions (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compare-all-microsoft-365-plans)

The product has been introduced during the Microsoft Ignite event in Orlando and a blog article (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2018/09/24/microsoft-365-adds-modern-desktop-on-azure/):

Today, we are announcing Windows Virtual Desktop, the best virtualized Windows and Office experience delivered on Azure. Windows Virtual Desktop is the only cloud-based service that delivers a multi-user Windows 10 experience, optimized for Office 365 ProPlus, and includes free Windows 7 Extended Security Updates. With Windows Virtual Desktop, you can deploy and scale Windows and Office on Azure in minutes, with built-in security and compliance.

What has been announced

There is not that much information, here is my recap:

  • The product name is Windows Virtual Desktop
  • The product will consume the Azure tenant of the user (and obviously, you will need to pay for it)
  • A free way to have Extended Security updates if you want to go with Windows 7 until January 14, 2020
  • Microsoft already gave a list of partners working on enhancing the product: Citrix, CloudJumper, FSLogix, Lakeside Software, Liquidware, People Tech Group, and ThinPrint

Citrix is working with Microsoft

Citrix has been one of the first to “respond” to Microsoft publication in a blog post: https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2018/09/24/citrix-and-microsoft-365-extending-the-value-of-microsoft-windows-virtual-desktop/

Citrix insists on the management, monitoring and optimization parts:

  • App Layering
  • Workspace Environment Management
  • User Profile Management
  • WAN optimization
  • Analytics

In order to avoid panic in the Citrix Service Provider land, Citrix has also released a guide for them: https://www.citrix.com/blogs/2018/09/24/microsoft-ignite-2018-announcements-3-things-citrix-service-providers-need-to-know/

  1. Citrix enhances Microsoft functionality — always has and always will
  2. Citrix is not competing directly against you
  3. Citrix DaaS will help you offer a faster, differentiated service

It sounds that Citrix choose to create a dedicated CSP track at Citrix Summit 2019 https://www.citrixsummit.com/

Can’t wait to see how this annoucement will bring us in the EUC world!

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