Virtualization is transforming the data center. It’s eliminating the one-to-one relationship between clients, applications and servers. Just as virtualization adds to server functionality, along comes a technology to aid in desktop manageability, security and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Client virtualization or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a server-centric computing model. (Note: VMware also uses this term as a brand name.) While it borrows from the classic thin-client model, it offers IT the ability to host and centrally manage Virtual Machines (VMs) while providing end users a full-desktop experience.

VDI is a hosted approach. It centralizes all the software and data components that make up the desktop environment (operating system, installed applications, user personalization settings and data) moved into the data center, computer room or other secure IT facility.

Vendors including Citrix, Microsoft and VMware are now letting IT combine the power and benefits of computer virtualization with the centralized hosting and management of thin-client infrastructures. If you haven’t yet discovered the advantages of a VDI, now is the time to put yourself in command of the desktop.