RingCube vDesk 3.0

RingCube recently launched vDesk 3.0, a new version of their user virtualization technology. Scaleability is the story this time. I've been tracking them for quite some time and have spoken with several of their customers. I've learned that vDesk offers organizations a way to simplify provisioning, management and security of desktop environments. As with other competitors in this space, Microsoft's Windows is target, not UNIX, LINUX or Mac OS-based systems.

Here's what RingCube has to say about vDesk 3.0

RingCube Technologies, the leading provider of managed virtual workspaces, today announced vDesk version 3.0, a high-performance enterprise desktop virtualization solution that simplifies the creation, access and management of Windows desktops. With the release of vDesk 3.0, RingCube introduces new management functionality that delivers global scalability, significantly faster MobileSync, support for Microsoft Windows 7 and hardware-assisted isolation control with Intel® vPro™ technology.

What’s New in vDesk 3.0?

• Global Scalability and Enhanced Manageability enables enterprise customers to create a hierarchical desktop virtualization management system that can be distributed globally with multi-site storage support.
• Faster MobileSync makes routine synchronization and on-going backup of virtual workspace images on Vista and Windows 7 up to 90% faster. On average, users can expect their MobileSync operations to take about 60% less time compared to previous vDesk versions.
• Microsoft Windows 7 Support extends vDesk 3.0 virtual workspaces platform support to include Microsoft Windows 7.
• Hardware Assisted Isolation Control provides hardware-based isolation and increased workspace security when running on PCs with Intel® vPro™ with virtualization technology.

vDesk is available immediately through RingCube. Pricing starts at $200 USD per user for the Standard edition and $300 per user for the Enterprise edition.

Snapshot analysis

RingCube is one of a constellation of suppliers focused on desktop virtualization, user virtualization or some other technology designed to virtualize client-side applications. Competitors, such as Virtual Computer, Neocleus, Wanova, Citrix, VMware and many others are offering technology to offers similar features, although they've gotten there in different ways.

It is clear that organizations have an opportunity to enhance their IT infrastructure by carefully examining and improving what they're doing to manage and secure their desktop, laptop and other client-side systems.

As with other competitors, it appears that RingCube's focus is on improving Windows-based environments rather than trying to support everything that might be found in an organization's environment. UNIX, Linux and Mac OS environments aren't part of RingCubes story.

One could conclude that Windows needs more help and that's why there's so much focus on Windows. Another, perhaps more reasonable, view is that Windows is a larger market and suppliers typically focus on the largest market.

Talk to some RingCube users and it is likely that you'll hear that they spent less of their time in client-side adventures than ever before.