A question Strategy

Virtual computing takes the concept of consumerisation to the level where an organisation is able to provide a new employee with a device and user ID on their first day at the office, and deliver them a complete desktop environment once they have entered their authentication details and password. When the employee hands that device back, there is no trace of their identity or application data left on it. Similarly, if the employee brings their own device into work, they can access corporate systems from that device and have all of their applications presented on it, rather than physically being stored on it. If the device is subsequently lost or stolen, the firm is assured that their corporate information remains safe.

Before embarking on a desktop transformation however, it is crucial that firms understand what it is they want to achieve. They need to take a 3-5 year view of working patterns and how these might change – e.g. whether they are looking to support an increase in home or flexible working, or enable the use of rich media and hot-desking in the office.

It is crucial to link their application and desktop strategy to their operational and strategic plans to assess what is critical to the organisation from an application, device and a security perspective – i.e. what information has to be controlled and reported on from a compliance perspective and how this aligns with the operational needs of both end users and the business. Regarding the latter, the links between IT strategy and all aspects of business continuity, disaster recovery and the green agenda are all becoming more important.

Finally, all of the above must be aligned with communications strategy that promotes employee understanding and buy-in and ensures their expectations and needs are being met. The IT department will need to learn to market itself as the enabler of choice and change, rather being seen as a rather dull combination of plumber and traffic warden.

Using desktop virtualisation to get the underlying delivery technology right and providing it reliably may not make the IT department cool – but it will serve the changing needs of the organisation and its employees in the coming years..