Oracle extends Virtual Desktop platform to the Apple iPad

Oracle has released a version of its Virtual Desktop Client tool for the Apple iPad, allowing customers to connect with the Oracle Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and Sun Ray platforms to access and control virtualised desktop builds.

The Client App for iPad tool is offered as a free download on the App Store, and provides full-screen views of the virtualised systems along with support for touch-screen controls and a full virtual keyboard.

"With the introduction of Oracle Virtual Desktop Client App for iPad, we continue to offer innovative ways to access a broad range of virtual desktop environments and enterprise applications," said Wim Coekaerts, senior vice president of Linux and virtualisation engineering at Oracle.

"When used in conjunction with Oracle's Sun Ray software and Oracle Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, customers benefit from enhanced security, centralised administration, lower cost, and better access to corporate data from an iPad."

The release comes as end users are increasingly looking to integrate personal handsets and tablets into the enterprise IT space, leading major software brands such as Salesforce, IBM Lotus and Rackspace to offer apps for the iOS platform.

The growth in iPad use has also led experts to examine the security and compliance risks that come with the adoption of iOS and other mobile platforms.