VMware brings Horizon VDI to Microsoft Azure

VMware brings Horizon VDI to Microsoft Azure

VMware only made VMware Horizon virtual desktop infrastructure available on Amazon Web Services infrastructure but that is now changing. Users will now be able to access the virtual desktop on Microsoft’s Azure cloud.

The move is part of a strategy VMware is deploying to enhance its end-user footprint, and take the opportunity presented by increasing work-from-home adoption rates prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January, VMware tested its Workspace ONE endpoint management technology to improve support for remote workforces. VDI is a technology that gives end-users the equivalent of a fully functioning desktop PC on their devices.

Finding the middle

This kind of setup is preferable because the security risk is drastically minimized and IT can fully control the configurations of the desktop. Sachin Sharma, the director of product marketing at VMware’s end-user computing unit said that some customers have the on-prem infrastructure and some want a purely cloud-based model.

VMware takes an agnostic approach about where customers choose to deploy virtual desktops. Sharm added that the ideal position is in the middle; “subscription licensing and cloud management of on-premises workloads.”

From that point on, it’s up to the customer to decide what to do.  

Horizon VDI

Horizon has support for multi-cloud deployment and zero-trust security, using technology VMware acquired after purchasing Carbon Black a couple of years ago.

Carbon Black uses behavioural analytics technology to spot attacks on endpoints. One of the features offered is a universal brokering tool that connects employees to the most optimal cloud or pod, using location, capacity, preference, and more to decide which cloud is best.

In this post by Microsoft, users can find more information about the features offered. Find VMware’s information on Horizon VDI here.