Cost Leadership In End-User Computing: Virtual Desktops, Real Savings

VDI has long demonstrated a lower TCO than physical desktops, but the savings were driven by differences in operational costs. Until mid-2014, average per-user capital costs for VDI were actually higher, representing a barrier to adoption for many organizations. Cost evaluations and TCO reports from market analysts consistently reinforced the “pay more today to save later” VDI model.

With the launch of VMware Horizon® 6, the scenario changed: VDI is now the lowest capital-cost option, too. This is a significant landmark for end-user computing, but not the end of the story. VMware sees cost reduction as a journey—and there are more steps to come. This paper describes the progress so far and some of the progress VMware intends to make in the future.