Channel Insider's Zero Client, Thin Client, Desktop Virtualization Resource Guide

After 2009's recession delays, zero-client, thin-client and desktop-virtualization technologies are poised to infiltrate companies, from the enterprise to the midsized organization to small business. Here's Channel Insider's guide to the technology, the trends, the turf wars and the promise.
After recession-related IT budget freezes that took the blame for many delayed technology projects and hardware refreshes, the stuff that was supposed to be hot in 2009 -- desktop virtualization, thin client and zero client computing -- is getting more attention again in 2010. Are you ready?
Some IT organizations looking to upgrade their fleet of corporate PCs have actually reconfigured their projects for thin clients and virtualized desktops rather than full desktop PC or laptop upgrades, according to Jeff Groudan, director of thin clients and client virtualization in the Personal Systems Group (PSG) at HP.

And a number of IT solution providers who specialize in virtualization have told Channel Insider the same thing. Customers are starting to show interest in this technology that takes much of the maintenance and break/fix work away from client hardware, delivering a virtual version of the desktop instead. Thin clients served by the corporate computing infrastructure save on labor costs. And MSPs who create their own desktop delivery service for their end customers (like the one that Virtual Bridges and Rackspace just partnered to create) can earn annuity income while end customers reduce capital expenditures over time.

Channel Insider has taken a look at the trends, the challenges and the solutions over the past few years, and our editors have compiled some resources for those IT solution providers with customers who are interested in these thin client implementations. Here’s our resource guide to help you get over the humps.

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