Matrix42 recently posted the results of a survey showing that more than half of the companies surveyed are in the process of deploying or have already finished deploying a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) in their organization. This represents an 8% increase over the number of companies deploying a VDI solution the previous year. This shows definite momentum for virtual desktop technology, but it has been a slow progression compared to the adoption of server virtualization.

In the same survey, participants were asked what their company’s policy was for bring your own device (BYOD). We found that nearly three-quarters of the respondents either currently support it or are working on providing support. It may have seemed out of place to some to have a question on BYOD in the midst of a number of questions on virtualization, but at Matrix42 we are seeing a definite convergence between mobility and desktop virtualization.

In fact, the proliferation of smartphones and tablets are likely part of the reason we are seeing an uptick in plans for desktop virtualization. This is due to the fact that users are looking for access to corporate data and resources through their mobile devices, while companies are looking for ways to provide that anytime, anywhere access while also maintaining the security of the data.

Matrix42 is the only major vendor to integrate the management of virtual desktops and mobile devices to ensure the security of both the data and the device. In fact, we also take it a step further by automating many of the common processes, such as provisioning a new device, adding apps or adding a virtual desktop to the device, and making them available to employees through the company’s service catalog. This gives them self-service options for faster fulfillment and removes the need for IT involvement in routine tasks.

What are you seeing at your company? Do you have a BYOD policy, and are those mobile devices being used for VDI? And what are your reasons for or against deploying virtual desktops?