Cisco Launches Desktop as a Service

Cisco (CSCO) announced a new Cisco Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solution, which adds highly agile, cloud-based desktop virtualization solutions to Cisco's existing desktop virtualization product portfolio. The solution is built on top of its Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solution, which adds highly agile, cloud-based desktop virtualization solutions to Cisco's existing desktop virtualization product portfolio.

The solution features deployment options from ecosystem partners Desktone by VMware and Citrix, and is available through partners such as ChannelCloud, Logicalis, Proxios, Neteligent, Quest and others. Customers can choose to build their own on-premises desktop virtualization solution or buy a cloud-based, as-a-service solution with Cisco powered performance, scalability, and security.

"Desktone by VMware and Cisco have delivered a complete and proven blueprint for enabling service providers to deliver a DaaS solution for delivering Windows desktops and applications as a cloud service based on VMware Horizon View.” said Peter McKay, vice president and general manager of DaaS, End-User Computing, VMware. “Our joint customers such as Logicalis, Quest, Netelligent, Dimension Data, Adapt and ANS are utilizing our unique architecture that includes multi-tenancy, self-service provisioning, multi data center management, multi-desktop model support, grid-scale, and security to deliver DaaS and provide differentiated value-add services to their customers"

The DaaS solution is based on Cisco Unified Computing System and the Cisco Unified Data Center architecture.  To further strengthen this platform, Cisco has improved its underlying desktop virtualization solution to deliver greater scalability and performance, optimized cost, and wider client use case support for DaaS deployments. DaaS can support up to 252 virtual desktops on a single UCS blade server, and end user applications that require high-quality rendering of immersive, 3D graphics. New UCS solution accelerator packs for desktop virtualization offer simplified ordering.

“Citrix is working alongside Cisco and its new DaaS solution to help Service Provider partners scale quickly, easily and economically, while delivering high levels of performance and service. This enables partners to differentiate with flexibility in desktop deployment models while preserving margins to help them capture new service and revenue opportunities. Our multi-tenant solution based on XenDesktop and XenApp delivers a rich user experience, desktop, mobile and thin-client support and self-service ease-of-use,” said Mitch Parker, group vice president and general manager of Citrix.