|
|
|
|
|
Instant Insight |
|
|
|
|
HP’s Virtual Desktop Solution Consolidates Costs and
Control HP has introduced a new desktop computing model called the
Consolidated Client Infrastructure (CCI) which utilizes a new PC blade and
blade hardware and software infrastructure to provision virtualized desktop
PC services. The HP CCI solution consists of an HP Thin Client that connects
with a secure network log-in to a blade PC running Microsoft Windows XP
Professional and utilizing network storage located in a centralized data
center. Specifically, the HP CCI recommendations / requirements are: ▫
Windows
XP Professional operating system (includes Remote Desktop Protocol) ▫
Active
Directory ▫
Network
latency less than 100ms round-trip for PC look-and-feel ▫
Storage
virtualization (e.g., Windows File Shares) with 2GB/user Each user is dynamically allocated to a single blade PC
and its applications during each log-on session. Individuals’ personal data
and desktop settings are maintained in a network storage device under a
secure user profile. In the event of a blade PC failure, users log on to be
reassigned a new blade and access to their personal data and settings. IT
managers can remove and replace failed blade(s), and the management software
will automatically configure new blade(s) and place them back in the pool
typically in less than an hour. HP is focusing its CCI efforts on enterprise and
corporate accounts with 1,000+ employees, in select vertical industries such
as financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare,
government, education, and military. The company sees CCI as an ideal
solution for customers replacing 1,000+ desktop PCs, planning Windows XP and
Active Directory implementations, making purchases based on TCO, or facing PC
hardware and software upgrades. Overall, HP projects there are over 100
customers and 1 million seats in the CCI prospect funnel. HP Services CCI solution components available today include implementation services, project management, installation, and customer orientation and training. Customers can implement CCI themselves, use HP’s consulting and support services or acquire CCI as a managed outsourced program. Pricing/Availability Pricing for customized CCI solutions including HP Thin Clients, the new HP blade PCs, network storage, and the recommended HP Services offerings will start at less than $1,500 per seat. The new HP Blade PC featuring the Transmeta Efficeon TM8000 1.1GHz processor, a 40GB HDD and 256MB or 512MB DDR, is expected to be available in the United States and Canada in the first quarter of 2004. Net / Net On the surface, HP’s CCI appears to be a revolutionary
adaptation of industry-standard evolution. The consolidation / virtualization
tenets of HP’s Adaptive Infrastructure Strategy are the conceptual drivers in
the CCI solution, consolidating desktop compute and storage resources into
the secure, managed, data center model. HP’s CCI architecture builds upon the
extensive experience HP has in blade server technology and deployment to
extend similar virtualization and management value propositions to desktop
computing. In sum, consolidation of clients in a centralized data center
proffers simplified IT management with increased data security through
control of software upgrades, data back up, and other service events, while
maintaining a high-quality, personalized desktop experience for end users.
This is one of the core values of the CCI solution. The other is to address day-to-day IT economics for the
enterprise. Working with research and projections that suggest a company may
spend as much as $8,000 to maintain a traditional PC throughout its lifecycle,
HP claims that CCI can cut that total sum in half, and save up to $1,200 in
support costs per user each year versus traditional desktop PC solutions. For
the target customers HP has identified, within the profile they have mapped, this
solution looks to be a win/win proposition, reaping the cost benefits of
bringing the processing power of the desktop into a highly-managed, virtualized PC
platform, while maintaining the power and performance of the traditional
desktop. So given all this goodness and light, CCI must be
considered the glossy icing on HP’s tasty post-merger cake. Right? Well,
maybe or maybe not. While we believe that CCI leverages established HP
resources and expertise into a powerful and unique solution, this very
uniqueness is likely to be a stumbling block. The fact is that while PC-based
solutions have significant problems, they are well known and understood by
end users. At heart, enterprises tend to be conservative creatures that
prefer the devils they know to the new Beelzebubs on the block. Thus, while
CCI is likely to appeal to innovative businesses, adoption by the larger
market is likely to take time. The question is whether HP has the time and
patience to give CCI the chance it needs, and perhaps deserves. While HP’s most recent quarterly results suggest that the company’s non-printer products are finally emerging from their long hiatus in the woods, it remains to be seen if the company is on a sustainable upward track. If not, the results might not bode well for CCI, since HP of late has not exhibited notable patience for products that faced long, challenging adoption cycles. Beyond those issues, we believe HP’s Consolidated Client Infrastructure offers users and the company some considerable benefits. While CCI is clearly not a solution for everyone or for every large customer site, we believe that within HP’s targeted verticals and similar opportunities, both planned and serendipitous, such innovation is likely to be welcome. |