VMware targets BYOD and client computing with Horizon Suite release

VMware is looking to build upon its datacentre presence with the launch of Horizon Suite.

This is a set of technologies that provide access to applications and data from any endpoint device, helping enterprises to deal with the growing BYOD trend while also encompassing existing investments in Windows PCs.

Set to be available by the end of March, Horizon Suite finally delivers on the end-user computing technologies that VMware has been developing over the past few years, enabling firms with VMware's vSphere infrastructure to have a centralised, universal platform for delivering applications - including a Windows desktop experience - to any user on any device.

Many aspects of the Horizon technology were previewed at the firm's VMworld conference last year.

"The one-size-fits-all view of end-user computing has just not been able to keep up with what's happening in the industry," VMware's chief market technologist for end-user computing, Brian Gammage, told V3.

"Our approach with Horizon is to turn assets at the back-end into services which can be accessed via a central point, where you can apply policy, so we can deliver the services to any device and any user," he added.

Horizon Suite comprises three components which can be used and licensed separately or together as a single suite. Two of these - Horizon View 5.2 and Horizon Mirage 4.0 - are updates to VMware's existing tools for virtual desktop infrastructure and for managing images with physical PC fleets, respectively.

The third piece is Horizon Workspace, a new product that serves as a user portal for access to document storage, applications and virtual desktops, all via a browser and offering single sign-on for access to all resources.

Key for the enterprise is that Horizon is aware of what kind of endpoint a user is using, and can serve up an appropriate experience for that device's capabilities, whether it is a PC, a Mac, an iPad or an Android smartphone.

For example, Horizon View now incorporates VMware's AppShift technology, which touch-enables a remote Windows desktop when accessed on a tablet device.

Likewise, View now includes AppBlast, which serves up a Windows desktop using HTML5, so that a user can access a virtual desktop session from any device that has a web browser, removing the need to install a remote desktop client.