Wipro Technologies, Global Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing business of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT - News), in partnership with Citrix and Microsoft, launched Wipro Desktop as a Service (WDaaS), a desktop virtualization solution that delivers desktops, applications and data as an on-demand service. The solution is based on HP technology. The announcement was made at Citrix Synergy� 2011 in San Francisco, the conference where virtual computing takes center stage. WDaaS was announced earlier in October 2010 and is available in the market now.

WDaaS is an integrated service offering which uses the market-leading desktop virtualization technologies of Citrix and Microsoft and provides efficient plug and play desktop and application virtualization capabilities. The solution is built on HP Converged Infrastructure. For enterprises that want to deploy desktop virtualization on-premises, WDaaS will offer a pre-configured appliance (hardware, software and services) that can be managed remotely by Wipro. This solution lowers deployment cost and reduces the implementation time by half as compared to traditional system integration approach. For enterprises seeking a hosted or cloud offering, Wipro delivers desktops and applications as a service from a dedicated private cloud environment in its own datacenters or by leveraging cloud infrastructure providers. These delivery models lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and move the desktop cost from a CAPEX to an OPEX model.

Dominique Raviart, Research Director, IT Outsourcing, NelsonHall, a leading analyst and advisory firm, says, �The development of the Wipro Desktop as a Service offering is a good example of the growing take-up of cloud desktops in the market. Interest is growing across the world and especially in the U.S. and U.K., typically initially triggered by server cloud computing and virtualization overall.�

The WDaaS solution is based on Citrix XenDesktop, the Microsoft VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) Premium Suite and Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) software components. It leverages Citrix FlexCast� delivery technology which enables IT to optimize the performance, security and cost of virtual desktops, hosted or local, for any type of user, including task workers, mobile workers, power users and contractors. It uses Citrix HDX� technology that assures each user gets a rich, high definition experience over any network on any device, including PCs, Macs, thin clients, tablets and smartphones. The solution relies on Hyper-V for running the Windows desktop in the guest virtual machines and incorporates Microsoft�s comprehensive VDI infrastructure and management software, including Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services, App-V as well as System Center management solutions so customers can virtualize, manage and deliver applications and desktops. WDaaS will be offered on the HP Converged Infrastructure solution. The hosted and cloud delivery models leverage Rackspace infrastructure.

WDaaS includes a hosted session virtualization platform that can be efficiently used to build industry-specific cloud solutions. Utilizing this platform, Wipro has created an �Application access over the Internet� solution to address the needs of higher education. Students and faculty will have a convenient way to access applications anywhere, anytime from any device instead of visiting the traditional computer lab on campus. For the industry specific solutions, Wipro will work with its channel partners to address the Small and Medium Business (SMB) market segment.

Wipro conducted a primary research with colleges in the US to analyze the benefits of desktop virtualization in higher education and compare traditional implementation approach through in-house system integration with a cloud computing delivery model. The findings of this research are published in a White Paper and clearly demonstrate reduction of implementation time from 18 months in a traditional approach to 3 months with cloud computing.

�Traditionally, desktop virtualization has been complex to implement,� said Neeraj Jaitley, Vice President, Cloud Infrastructure Solutions, Wipro Technologies. �Customers are now looking for providers with end to end technical and operational capabilities who can deliver scalable and highly reliable infrastructure, leveraging hybrid cloud architecture as appropriate. Wipro Desktop as a Service solution benefits from focused technology R&D investments and supports �as a Service� delivery models. Our engagement methodology can reduce the technology deployment cycle by half.�

�Desktop virtualization is a key priority for today�s CIOs as they look to transform their desktops to become more agile, flexible and secure. Citrix XenDesktop supports this desktop change with market leading technologies that turn desktops, applications and data into an on-demand service that can be accessed from any user on any device,� said Dave Jones, Vice President of System Integrator Development at Citrix. �WDaaS is a perfect example of how customers can transform their workplace and quickly realize the benefits of desktop virtualization through an integrated hardware, software and services offering of a major global System Integrator.�

�Wipro, Citrix and Microsoft are breaking down the barriers that impede desktop and application virtualization,� said Mike Schutz, Senior Director, Server and Cloud Division, Microsoft Corp. �Our work together helps provide a broad range of solutions for desktop and application delivery that enable users to stay connected and productive anywhere, anytime.�

�To accelerate growth and produce higher-quality products and services, organizations must change the way they use technology,� said Paul Miller, Vice President, Solutions and Strategic Alliances, Enterprise Servers, Storage and Networking, HP. �HP Converged Infrastructure gives organizations using WDaaS solution an integrated, scalable and automated IT platform for virtualization, to drive out cost and provide the foundation for agile service delivery.�

Odus Wittenburg, VP of Enterprise Solutions at Rackspace, said, �Our collaboration with Wipro is focused on creating end to end service offerings leveraging capabilities from both companies. Rackspace offers private and public cloud environments or a hybrid combination using RackConnect� that is highly optimized for hosted desktop virtualization.�

R Srinivasan, General Manager, Wipro IT, said, �Desktop and application virtualization enables transformation of the end user computing in an enterprise. Wipro has many different user groups that can take advantage of this technology. The ROI can be achieved through improved worker utilization, enhanced productivity, distributed workforce, optimized office space allocation and reduced desktop management overhead. We are actively exploring new approaches like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). WDaaS offers us a convenient way to take advantage of this technology without the need to go through a complete learning curve on another new technology with our own staff; it allows us to take advantage of the investments done by the core team.�

Wipro is a global systems integrator, delivering industry-specific business solutions. For WDaaS, Wipro is actively leveraging its strategic relationships with Microsoft, Citrix and HP to create an integrated and productized service offering and deliver increased value to its customers.