Virtualization today and in the future.

[rhj12345]

I hear a lot about the reduction in PC sales across the country. Most of the media talks about how the average user is moving to a tablet. But it makes me think about the real numbers.

Let's just take the population of the USA. About 316 million depending on the web site you check. So lets say each month about 300 computer techs buy a new server and load a copy of MS Server 2012 Hyper-V Core.

That's 300 new computers.

Now lets say they each are going to move 14 end users to the core and virtualize there desktops.

That's 300 x 14 = 4,200 computers they will not buy from Dell or who ever that month.

Let's say this happens for one year: 4,200 x 12 = 50,400 computers that will not be purchased in the next 12 months.

I just did a core server for a client last month and reloaded 2XOS on each old used computer and gave all those end users a new Win 8 + Office 2013 virtual desktop.

So my question is:

What do you think of the future of virtualization today?

How will it change when the internet gets 10x or a 100x faster? Look at Japan.

Will the need still be there for a local IT guy if a thin client is only $100 and all of the real IT work is done by large companies in the cloud?

Interested in your responses.

Rob

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I don't see desktop virtualization taking off very much in the SMB world yet. Sure...big enterprise...but not SMB. Which is what counts for us.

 

[rhj12345]

I don't see desktop virtualization taking off very much in the SMB world yet. Sure...big enterprise...but not SMB. Which is what counts for us.

Not sure why you would say that. Just look at other forums on the internet, not here. Lots of support for SMB virtualization. I am managing Hyper-V host for 3 company's alone that have less than 10 employees.

Best thing I ever did was virtualize there domain server and add on a few clients. Mostly when a new employee starts.

Rob

 

[SAG]

Not sure why you would say that. Just look at other forums on the internet, not here. Lots of support for SMB virtualization. I am managing Hyper-V host for 3 company's alone that have less than 10 employees.

Best thing I ever did was virtualize there domain server and add on a few clients. Mostly when a new employee starts.

Rob

I believe "very much" is the key to what he said.
Sure, I got plenty of Hypervisors that I manage, ESX and Hyper-V both. That's server stuff and it's an easy sell to SMBs since they have no hands-on with the servers and, in alot of cases, still have no clue what visualization is.
Got a hospital with 90% thin clients and a terminal server.

Trying to push virtual desktop's on them is a whole 'nother story.
"So you mean I have to buy that computer there (thin client) but it's not really a computer and I have to invest in another server so that it'll work?"
It's confusing to the person with the purse strings.

That's just one aspect of it not working out well.
I don't even want to think of the licensing headache... or the single point of failure for the ENTIRE office.
Cap on the server mobo pop?
"Yeah, sorry 'bout that sir. No, you are all down 'til I get it fixed. Yes sir, everything. Yes sir, I do understand how much money you are losing an hour from this."

 

[Knightsman]

I believe "very much" is the key to what he said.
Sure, I got plenty of Hypervisors that I manage, ESX and Hyper-V both. That's server stuff and it's an easy sell to SMBs since they have no hands-on with the servers and, in alot of cases, still have no clue what visualization is.
Got a hospital with 90% thin clients and a terminal server.

Trying to push virtual desktop's on them is a whole 'nother story.
"So you mean I have to buy that computer there (thin client) but it's not really a computer and I have to invest in another server so that it'll work?"
It's confusing to the person with the purse strings.

That's just one aspect of it not working out well.
I don't even want to think of the licensing headache... or the single point of failure for the ENTIRE office.
Cap on the server mobo pop?
"Yeah, sorry 'bout that sir. No, you are all down 'til I get it fixed. Yes sir, everything. Yes sir, I do understand how much money you are losing an hour from this."

Couldn't agree more.

Big enterprise that can afford a fail over server or device AND afford to buy/repair said server immediately. Most small businesses can't.

I think it works perfect for satellite offices or road warriors, even secondary retail locations that have a solid backup plan in place.

I think running the numbers, selling eefurb machines and a file server would cost just as much as a solid thin client and virtual server setup.

Just my opinion.

 

[PCSComputerGuy]

I'm running three virtual desktop appliances that support 60 clients each, as well as several virtual servers. I just found a new product that will handlen10 clients and includes 10 thin clients for around 6000

 

[rhj12345]

I'm running three virtual desktop appliances that support 60 clients each, as well as several virtual servers. I just found a new product that will handlen10 clients and includes 10 thin clients for around 6000

Nice! Care to share more details?

Rob

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

Nice! Care to share more details?

Rob

No, its clearly a secret.

 

[Markverhyden]

I think that one needs to separate retail from business. And look at demographics as well as also take a look at some other countries.

My daughter, 25 years old, run 95% of her life from her iPhone as do the majority in her age group. So from a retail perspective they are not potential PC customers. Same thing for printers. I've asked her several times if she wanted a printer. Got several nice one's to choose from including color laser. No interest what so ever.

A number of developing countries have basically skipped the whole desktop/laptop paradigm as well as land lines. The users have been able to manage their affairs from these devices. So there is no reason to believe that there is some reason that US consumers will forever be tied to desktops/laptops in large volume.

As far as businesses it is very similar in a way. I've setup a number of MacMini servers to include iOS device access. Many of the users have told they rarely touch their PC's anymore. They can do what they need on the iOS devices.

There is not going to be some massive collapse in the market like some pundits imply. But the real thing is the market is not going to grow much. But rather move into other directions.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Trying to push virtual desktop's on them is a whole 'nother story.
"So you mean I have to buy that computer there (thin client) but it's not really a computer and I have to invest in another server so that it'll work?"
It's confusing to the person with the purse strings.

What he said. I've got plenty of clients still on Xp and NOT looking to upgrade even with EOL around the corner. It works as is. Virtualizing desktops takes one monster of a server and most companies are not willing to spend the money on that. Without at least 25 users it is hard to justify.

I think that one needs to separate retail from business. And look at demographics as well as also take a look at some other countries.

My daughter, 25 years old, run 95% of her life from her iPhone as do the majority in her age group. So from a retail perspective they are not potential PC customers. Same thing for printers. I've asked her several times if she wanted a printer. Got several nice one's to choose from including color laser. No interest what so ever.

A number of developing countries have basically skipped the whole desktop/laptop paradigm as well as land lines. The users have been able to manage their affairs from these devices. So there is no reason to believe that there is some reason that US consumers will forever be tied to desktops/laptops in large volume.

As far as businesses it is very similar in a way. I've setup a number of MacMini servers to include iOS device access. Many of the users have told they rarely touch their PC's anymore. They can do what they need on the iOS devices.

There is not going to be some massive collapse in the market like some pundits imply. But the real thing is the market is not going to grow much. But rather move into other directions.

And what he said for the rest.

 

[HarrisF]

No, its clearly a secret.

Lets keep it that way.