Technology major IBM has unveiled the virtual desktop in India, which offers anytime, anywhere access to personal desktops from mobile devices including tablets, net books, laptops and thin clients.

The virtual desktop solution is based on a key set of attributes designed to help clients achieve more productivity and efficiency. This smart business offering bridges the gap between previous desktop and virtual desktop infrastructure approaches.

Built on VERDE 5.1 technology, the IBM Virtual Desktop provides an end-to-end desktop management offering that combines virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), integrated offline VDI (using an integrated client-side hypervisor), and remote branch capabilities. 

The offering supports both Windows and Linux Virtual desktops and can be used on a wide variety of devices -- including iPads, plus a variety of tablets, thin clients and netbooks – broadening the spectrum of user-options, including work-from-home employees, branch offices or field sales teams.

The Virtual Desktop for Smart Business, which includes VERDE software from Virtual Bridges, can be deployed on a customer's own infrastructure or through a Business Partner "private cloud" hosted environment. 

New features in Virtual Desktop v. 2.2 include unprecedented high-definition multimedia support and enhanced work-anywhere capability with additional features that simplify management and drive down IT management costs.

The IBM Virtual Desktop allows Windows or Linux desktops to be hosted and managed centrally, thus lowering the cost and complexity of managing PC environments through rapid deployment of new applications, automatic software updates and reducing the need for help desk requests.

The company is providing training in eight cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad to its 104 existing partners. Available in India through IBM Business Partners such as ZSL and Ingram Micro, IBM Virtual Desktop V2.2 now enables users to enjoy a real high-definition experience while accessing audio and video files.

The technology helps in to reduce cost by 20 to 30 per cent, improve date security and to increase workforce productivity. However, it is estimated that about 50 virtual desktop would be installed by the end of September 2011.