VDI will it be a better prospect?

DATE: July 25th 2010

VDI technology is being touted as the next big thing which on the surface sounds great but it's the vendors of the VDI technology who are the ones making all the noises.

They need to make as much noise as possible, as they've invested heavily into this technology and they need to make some form of return on their investment, otherwise their share holders are not going to be too happy.

VDI

I'm currently working with VDI technology as a Solutions Architect and my role is focussed on trying to prove that VDI can make savings against the traditional ways of delivering desktops workstations, such as imagining or using deployment tools. This is the hardest part of my role because it's difficult to justify VDI when it doesn't actually work out any cheaper.

I've even spoken to some VDI vendors who seem to be living in a different world, spouting the same tired answers to costs savings,

"Well you can use Thin Client devices and they're cheaper than buying PC's, so over your entire estate you'll save thousands!", well no actually, because I need to buy high end Thin Client devices because the low cost ones won't do the High Definition multimedia stuff.

"Yes but you'll need less people to support a VDI infrastructure!", well not really, we're short staffed now, like most organisations and we'll have to spend more to get expertise in.

"More people will be able to work from home and that will save in facility costs and increase productivity!", well, we already have tried and tested solutions for remote working, so why reinvent the wheel and spend more on an alternative?

As it's obvious the VDI vendors haven't really woken up to how the real world thinks.

VDI is tactical not strategic

I've made significant progress in getting my cost models right, so my sponsors and stakeholders can see some benefit of using VDI but as a whole I've had to mix in other technology and come up with a tactical view, as strategically VDI in certain flavours is very expensive.

VDI jobs

Well I can see plenty of opportunity for myself, as the calls I get regularly involve projects involving evaluating VDI solutions. I've had a few interviews where I've easily sold my architecture skills in evaluating technology such as VDI but I've become fussy who I want to work for, so it's great being able to choose the potential employer and environment I may want to work in.

VDI Techies are 10 a penny

The technical side of things, whereby VDI solutions are built is something I've stayed away from because it doesn't pay well. It's fairly easy to put the technology together and there's plenty of people out there who are capable of doing so, which results in lower rates for these types of roles.

The high end stuff of costing solutions, designing end to end systems which incorporate VDI to working with businesses in establishing requirements are the roles which pay a premium.

So in conclusion VDI will be pay better but only for a select few individuals.