Security Advantages
There are also physical security advantages with VDI. You can prevent users from using a USB key for example and taking corporate information home. Or if a thin client gets stolen, there is simply no information (OS, application, files, etc.) stored on it.

La’Chaim
The average lifespan of a PC desktop is 2–3 years. Not because it breaks but because the OS and application requirements change and the PC's hardware cannot meet the needs of the upgraded software. With a thin client, the average lifespan grows to 3–5 years because there is only a very simplified operating system and no applications running on the thin client itself. Because the actual desktop software resides in the backend data center, change is easier. Want to migrate from XP to Vista? Just create a new virtual machine template and have a connection broker deploy it overnight.

Um, Well, about Multimedia
Essentially, if you routinely run multimedia and graphics intensive applications—full streaming audio/video, AutoCAD, Photoshop, etc.—VDI may not be a sensible choice. Thin clients are simply not beefy enough; They typically use the RDP protocol which is not designed to handle multimedia traffic but to simply get remote control of a server or desktop machine.

That being said, a lot of manufacturers are working feverishly to create thin clients that can support multimedia intensive applications. Wyse and HP are two leaders in this arena, with Wyse integrating their TCX acceleration into VMware's ESX server and HP bringing their PC blade RGS acceleration technology to the VDI world.

Vista Considerations
Another challenge that needs to be considered is the cost of running Vista in a VDI environment. Simply put, Vista requires more RAM so the hardware cost of the physical server hosts will be higher than that needed to support XP. So if you’re looking to create a VDI environment, it may be smart to stick with XP until the cost of memory is no longer prohibitive.

Application Virtualization
In a VDI environment, application virtualization can make managing your IT environment even easier. Instead of installing 100 copies of MS Office on 100 machines, you can install it in one central location and stream it out to all machines with products such as MS SoftGrid and Thinstall. Then the next time a service patch comes out, you simply install it once in a central location and all clients will automatically run the updated version the next time they login.

Assess & Deliver
The best way to see if VDI will work in your environment is to do a proof of concept. Basically get someone qualified—a GreenPages engineer for instance—to evaluate whether or not VDI is a good fit for your environment. Because every environment runs a unique set of applications, each organization needs to be uniquely assessed. If your company has robust PC management with well documented policies and procedures, there may not be a major VDI advantage. But if you don’t have complete control over your PCs, find them difficult to manage, or are a geographically diverse organization, VDI may be a terrific fit.