Giving up the Windows Desktop but not giving up the Windows Server? Obviously you’re betting on Windows Server 2008 for your own infrastructure.

Our company is quickly moving some clients onto server 2008 TS, rather than upgrading their pc’s they can go green with some terminals…

I think this is just the begining of a TS revolution. Our largest client has over 750 terminals and only 25 pc’s, we should be able to roll them onto server 2008 in a day! (we are using vmare on a dell blade server with 1.5 TB SAN)

What is Vlad’s take on citrix now that server 2008 has many more features?

Vijay,

For our needs, Microsoft is absolutely indisputable best solution available. Ditto for Exchange 2007.

However, not all servers are made the same and we didn’t want to have an “IT” department so we got rid of all the BS that comes with corporate desktop management. No more worrying about double-licensing desktops, which laptop got lost by whom, who is installing what where, etc. Now we’re basically disposable when it comes to utility desktop junk and very restrictive and controlling of all the aspects of our enterprise software.

Mike, I have never really been a fan of Citrix. Nothing personal, we were just never big enough with big enough of a problem to justify Citrix licensing.

-Vlad

3 meetings with clients last week. 3 requests for terminal services. 1 of those wants to get rid of desktops entirely. The future is here.

Amy,

It just does not make sense.

Laptop, with OS, $599 shipped with tax and all. Thats it, done.

Microsoft double-licensing the OS to up to our VL and connect to the domain – $189

Office 2007 – $300 and change.

Exchange, Server, etc – another $300

Antivirus, management software, etc – another $200.

In plain business terms:

Why would I double the cost of the laptop with software licensing when I can get the same level of functionality, in a more controllable environment, managed by 1/3 the staff, geographic redundancy and centralized control for a fraction of the price?

It really is the way to go. Though, I doubt most places will embrace it, as that initial payment to get the TS infrastructure established is a significant check to write but if you break even after 4 months, and are growing… Its nearly impossible to make a case otherwise. We’re also deploying the desktop app streaming for some of the more legacy software.

Vlad,

I can see the savings on not needing a license on the client, assuming you go with a thin client or Linux, and savings on Antivirus because you are protecting only one (or two servers), but from an application or LOB software licensing perspective, where is the savings?

Randy,

The cost of managing the deployment base of applications, redundant client apps (workstation backups, security), the expense of actual desktop management and the matching server-side management.

All that is out the window.

-Vlad