Wyse, HP hope XenDesktop will drive thin client sales

Wyse and HP have launched new lines of thin clients that are optimized for Citrix’s XenDesktop and the virtualized desktop.

Citrix’s much anticipated XenDesktop, which will compete against VMware’s VDI technology as well as Qumranet’s KVM-based desktop virtualization solution SolidICE, was officially introduced to the market here at Synergy 2008 in Houston today.

Both vendors are longstanding partners of Citrix and Citrix's traditional MetaFrame and Presentation Server technology. What makes the debut of XenDesktop so compelling to third party vendors is the evolution to desktop virtualization and Citrix’s co-marketing agreement with Microsoft. Microsoft has agreed to co-market and sell XenDesktop as a front end to its forthcoming HyperV hypervisor for Windows Server 2008, a move that will likely expand and accelerate market adoption, pundits predict.

Wyse’s new family of Viance thin client devices -- which comply with Citrix’s XenDesktop requirements and offer advanced support for multiple displays, new multimedia acceleration technology and expanded support for peripherals -- give end users a desktop experience on par with the modern PC while also delivering the security and management benefits of a thin client, one Wyse executive said.

Additionally, the instant-on features, XenDesktop optimization, lower power requirements (estimated at 6.6 watts) and lower operating costs makes the thin client ideal for green IT initiatives and desktop virtualization environments, Wyse said.

The launch of Viance – including the Viance Mobile Pro notebook style thin client – and increasing adoption of desktop virtualization technology will finally catapult the thin client out of its second class status, Wyse said.

“Thin clients have been around for a long time but the introduction of desktop virtualization is going to be the thing that lets the thin client reach its potential,” said Jeff McNaught, CMO of Wyse, noting that virtualization allows customers to move all of their applications – custom and vertical included – to a centralized delivery model.

Wyse points out that its homegrown multimedia acceleration technology and expanded support for peripherals – ranging from bar code readers to the iPod – extends thin client usage to information workers as well as task workers.

Of note, Wyse introduced Viance Pro Mobile, a “clamshell” notebook device that offers full wireless support, a 15.4 inch LCD screen, multimedia support and Gigabit network connectivity.

Meanwhile, HP also announced a portfolio of Citrix-ready thin client and blade clients with Citrix XenDesktop as well as its HP 2533t Mobile Thin Client with plans to expand its remote graphics solutions.

Whether or not the desktop virtualization trend boosts thin client sales remains to be seen. Citrix’s entry into the market – with Microsoft’s help – is viewed as a turning point for desktop virtualization adoption, but customers are slow to mess with their desktop implementations – cost savings or not.