Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Standard Edition enables users to access desktops running in a data centre, providing each user with access to a personal desktop from any authorised device. It includes:

• A scalable hypervisor that hosts the virtual desktops providing migration, high availability and live backup
• An integrated management suite for managing physical, virtual and session-based desktops from a single console and managing non-Microsoft infrastructure components
• Application virtualisation technology that enables dynamic delivery of applications to the user’s virtual desktop instead of installation of applications as part of the virtual desktop image. It is possioble to deploy either Microsoft Application Virtualisation 4.5 or Microsoft Terminal Services RemoteApp depending on whether the application is executed locally or remotely
• A desktop delivery mechanism that manages the connections between the user’s device and the remote desktops that are running on the server. It also helps to provision remote desktops dynamically by combining a clean desktop image with the user profile and personal settings at runtime and delivering a personalised desktop to the end user. Citrix XenDesktop delivers a rich remote desktop experience and adds value to Microsoft VDI technology. Windows Server 2008 R2 has a native VDI connection broker as part of the new Remote Desktop Services platform.

Please note: VDI can represent a significant up-front investment in infrastructure including hardware, software, storage and network. Choosing VDI for desktop deployment will not reduce total cost of ownership unless steps are taken to improve basic desktop management and deployment processes. It should be deployed only where desktop flexibility is more important than cost reduction.
VDI requires constant connection to the network and cannot be used for mobile workers. Current VDI technology does not provide an optimum user experience for remote users, especially for multi-media intensive applications.