VMware acquires desktop-as-a-service firm Desktone

VMware has acquired Desktone in order to improve its desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) offerings to business users.

On Tuesday at VMWorld, the cloud infrastructure and virtualization provider said the deal closed earlier this month, in the fourth quarter of 2013. According to a press release outlining the announcement, VMware believes Desktone's platform will accelerate the delivery of DaaS to business users.

"Desktone is a leader in desktop-as-a-service and has a complete and proven blueprint for enabling service providers to deliver DaaS," said Sanjay Poonen, executive vice president and general manager, End-User Computing of VMware.

"By bringing Desktone's innovative platform in house, VMware can accelerate the delivery of DaaS through its network of over 11,000 VMware service provider partners while helping to shape and lead the future of the industry."

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, but VMware expects the deal to be immaterial to VMware's future financial results.

The Desktone platform includes separate virtual environments, where cloud providers are able to manage multiple customers under one platform; self-service of virtual desktops without purchasing additional hardware, and grid-based architecture for improved scalability.

Desktone's platforms are already certified with the VMware vCloud, vSphere and Horizon View technology. Today, VMware's Horizon View was granted a major update, including a new user interface, enhanced Windows 7 migration tools and improved compatibility with mobile devices.

By merging Deskton's services to VMware's cloud and virtualization offerings, the firm hopes that end-users will benefit from enhanced flexibility of cloud deployment and simplified deployment and desktop management -- especially if resources are lacking in-house.

Desktone was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.