VMware's Desktop as a Service to Provide Cloud Access to Windows Applications on Google Chromebooks

This expanded relationship between Google and VMware enables enterprise customers to achieve greater security and lower Total Cost of Ownership of Google Chromebooks along with cloud access to current and legacy applications, delivered on the industry proven Desktop as a Service (DaaS) platform from VMware. "Google Chromebooks can save businesses about $5,000 per computer when compared to traditional PCs," said Amit Singh, President of Google Enterprise. "Chromebooks are designed for the way people use computers today and are a secure, easy and cost-effective solution to help organizations embrace a new way of doing business. Through our partnership with VMware, businesses can now capitalize on these advantages with access to legacy applications, data and desktops they need to keep employees productive."

"VMware's End-User Computing mission is to radically simplify IT and enable customers to run any application, anywhere, any place, and any time, so they can work at the speed of life," said Sanjay Poonen, executive vice president and general manager, End-User Computing, VMware. "We are pleased to expand our partnership with Google and offer customers added choice for their corporate desktop environments with two of the technology industry's strongest brands behind them. VMware DaaS and desktop virtualization will enable Windows-based applications and desktops to run on Google Chromebooks, delivering on the promise of the Mobile-Cloud Era without compromise."

Initially available to customers as an on-premise service, the joint solution is expected to be delivered as a fully managed, subscription DaaS offering by VMware and other vCloud Service Provider Partners, in the cloud or within hybrid deployments. Users will be able to access their Windows applications, data and desktops using VMware's Blast HTML5 technology from a Web-based application catalog on their Chromebook. In addition, VMware Horizon DaaS will provide enterprises with a choice between a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) or Remote Desktop Services (RDS) connection.

Chromebooks and DaaS: An Opportunity to Help Redefine Corporate Desktops

Recent forecasts from Gartner predict PC shipments are forecast to decline 15 percent this year from 2012 levels, while ultramobile devices are forecast to increase nearly 407 percent in the same time period. With today's announcement service providers, systems integrators, resellers and channel partners looking to take advantage of the growing demand for ultramobile devices such as Google Chromebook, now have an enterprise-ready solution to bring to their customers that can help redefine the corporate desktop. "The partnership between Google and VMware offers an unparalleled value proposition that will enable Softbank to cost-effectively offer DaaS to customers who want to modernize their desktop infrastructure without disruption to their business," said Ken Miyauchi, representative director, senior executive vice president, SoftBank Corp. "This evolution of traditional enterprise desktops to cloud-connected Chromebooks brings a lot of benefits to both IT organizations and the users they support, with greater access and mobility being the most in-demand."

"Google Chromebooks offer customers a more cost-effective solution than traditional desktops or laptops, and provide the mobility coveted by today's enterprise users," said Sumeet Sabharwal, General Manager of NaviSite, a Time Warner Cable Company and Premier Level VSPP partner. "When combined with VMware DaaS, Chromebooks can become powerful business tools for companies that want to move to the cloud but are heavily invested in Windows environments. With our comprehensive suite of DaaS offerings, NaviSite is enabling seamless and ubiquitous access for the enterprise community."

Availability

Available now to VMware Horizon View 5.3 and Google Chromebook customers as an on-premise service, the joint solution is also expected to be delivered as a fully managed, subscription Desktop as a Service (DaaS) offering by VMware and other vCloud Service Provider Partners, in the cloud or within hybrid deployments.