Wyse, Kaviza Partner to Deliver $99-per-Seat VDI

Cloud client computing specialist Wyse Technologies and desktop virtualization provider Kaviza, recently acquired by Citrix, announced the availability of Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for small to medium-size businesses—a-low-cost virtual desktop solution designed to make it easier than ever for midmarket companies to employ desktop virtualization for up to 250 users.

There are three options for the Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI, including a $99-per-seat VDI option designed to enable SMBs to securely repurpose their existing PCs with Wyse PC Extender software and Kaviza VDI-in-a-box; a specially priced 10-desktop pack of Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for SMB for $2,290 ECP that includes the new Wyse T50 thin clients and Kaviza VDI-in-a-box, enabling $229-per-seat VDI; and a 10-desktop pack of Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for SMB for $3,290 ECP including the Wyse C10LE thin clients and Kaviza VDI-in-a-box with built-in Kaviza Accelerator for Citrix HDX, enabling $329-per-seat VDI.

“There is demand within the SMB market for simple and affordable virtual desktop solutions. Ingram Micro is excited to partner with Wyse and Kaviza to bring to market a joint solution that specially caters to the SMB market,” says Scott Zahl, vice president and general manager of the Ingram Micro Advanced Computing Division.

All packs will be available through Wyse and Kaviza resellers in the United States. With the recently announced Citrix acquisition of Kaviza, Citrix Solutions Advisors will also be able to offer the bundle starting July 1. Citrix announced the acquisition of Kaviza on May 23, and plans to make VDI-in-a-box available through Citrix Solution Advisors beginning July 1, in addition to current channels.

Leveraging Citrix HDX technology, which provides a high-definition user experience for any application, device or network, EZ VDI for SMB delivers multimedia, USB support, multi-monitor handling and future-proofing. HDX technology also provides network and performance optimizations to deliver an enhanced user experience over any network, including low-bandwidth and high-latency WAN connections.

"The complexity and sophistication of desktop virtualization have traditionally precluded the deployment of VDI in the SMB market," said Nathan Coutinho, virtualization solutions manager at CDW. "Our small business customers looking for the management, security and cost savings of desktop virtualization will benefit from the new option this collaborative partnership provides in the form of a VDI solution that greatly reduces the typical implementation and management concerns."

These EZ VDI packs enable SMBs to use off-the-shelf server hardware from the server sizing guide, add Windows licenses and reduce the total cost of VDI deployments to a level starting at $269 per seat, including basic server, storage and licensing costs.

“SMBs told us they want VDI clients with flexibility, multiprotocol support, and no management or security issues to deal with, not a toy they’ll throw away in a year,” says Jeff McNaught, chief marketing and strategy officer at Wyse Technology. “Coupled with Kaviza VDI-in-a-box, the Wyse T50 and C10LE jointly deliver the best-in-class, most affordable VDI solution for SMBs.”