The IBM Smart Business Desktop Cloud service is a unique virtualization solution that helps clients transform their distributed IT architectures into virtualized, open-standards-based frameworks. It combines hardware, software and services that connect users to platform-independent, centrally managed applications and full client images running in virtual machines. IBM Smart Desktop Cloud Services significantly reduces IT management costs and complexity, increases a company’s operational flexibility and improves its audit and control posture.

Flexible delivery models

The Smart Business Desktop Cloud product line offers flexible options from private, hosted and managed solutions to a new multi-tenant, shared on the cloud version, with options to host on either the customer or IBM premise. These flexible models take advantage of Citrix XenDesktop and Citrix XenApp to deliver individual applications or complete virtual desktops in a mixed environment, based upon user need. A proven reference architecture and exclusive assessment tools aid clients in optimizing the configurations to best match user requirements.

Simplify computing

Smart Business Desktop with XenDesktop transforms complex distributed computing architectures into simplified, centralized virtual computing centers. With XenDesktop, your organization can update, patch or roll out desktop operating systems and applications once from a central management console. In contrast, distributed-computing architectures require IT staff to visit each user desktop individually—a time consuming and costly effort that constrains your organization’s ability to adapt quickly to changing business environments. Because these cloud-based virtualized desktops don’t run on the local device, users don’t need the most powerful hardware, so the desktop refresh lifecycle can be extended.

Optimize user experience

Smart Business Desktop with XenDesktop makes it possible for users to work securely and productively with a high-definition computing experience from any location, over any connection, on any device. With XenDesktop, work is no longer a place; it is something one can do anywhere. The ability to work anywhere—at home, on the road, at a client site—using a device of one’s own choice results in a greater sense of control over one’s work life, which results in higher workforce satisfaction, productivity and retention.