According to Gartner's most recent report on the subject, the idea of virtualisation remains subject to considerable hyperbole, particularly on the desktop. However, the research firm notes customers aren't buying it any longer.
"Since mid-2007, most of the interest in desktop virtualisation has centred on hosted virtual desktops, where server virtualisation is used to support desktop software workloads that can be accessed remotely. Interestingly, it appears that many organisations are moving away from plans to deploy thin devices that complement data centre-hosted user content.
"With growing interest in bring your own device environments, more and more organisations are steering their long-term strategies away from endpoint management, with the exception of high-security vertical industries such as government or defence."
The Gartner report makes another highly pertinent point for local organisations embarking on or considering virtualisation: "Virtualisation projects should not create separate, virtual islands of ICT; instead, they should leverage and integrate, wherever possible, consistent and repeatable virtualised services."
Indeed. Gartner also notes that high levels of standardisation help maximise the ROI of virtualised services in a portfolio. A holistic programme of virtual change will more than offset the individual business case of low-cost or best-of-breed point solutions, and promotes holistic programme control of the virtualisation change and release schedule, states the report.
In reference to the chart, Gartner says the updated hype cycle for virtualisation continues to highlight waves of technology understanding and market expectations. These waves represent the transition and maturity of virtualisation as a process.
Source: Gartner, Hype Cycle for Virtualisation, 2012
Share