Unisys DaaS Brings Cloud-Based Services to VMware Horizon

Unisys (UIS) expanded its Unisys Workspace Services platform with a new solution for desktop virtualization to provide enterprises with cloud-based access to its suite of business applications and services, the company announced this week during VMworld. The solution will combine Unisys’ services with the popular VMware (VMW) Horizon architecture to give IT decision makers access to a full selection of the company’s business applications and services through the cloud.

The integration between the Unisys platform and Horizon would allow CIOs to purchase resources based on a set price for each virtual desktop from a virtual catalogue rather than purchasing desktop infrastructure and software licenses up front, according to the company. Unisys said its cloud catalog could be used to allow end users to build their own virtual desktops specifically for their individual business needs, while IT admins can use the catalogue to access managed services to maintain and monitor their virtual desktops.

“Providing your employees with the latest, most powerful desktop resources doesn’t have to be a break-the-bank exercise any longer,” said Larry Dunn, the vice president of solution portfolio management for Unisys Enterprise Services, in a statement. “Our Unisys Desktop as a Service offering combines the efficiency of the cloud with a full range of IT managed services and end-user support services to provide organizations with a more flexible, cost-efficient way to keep their workers productive and informed in their jobs.”

Unisys Workspace Service allows users to secure their virtual desktops from any of their enterprise devices, with the option of hosting the DaaS on a VMware or Unisys data center, either on-premises or at a client site. Unisys is also providing additional services such as data encryption for data at rest as well as anti-malware services as add-ons.

All of the new Unisys DaaS solutions will be available through an integrated version of the VantagePoint by Unisys solution when the product releases in the fourth quarter. The VantagePoint system will give users a unified view of their endpoint resources and simplify ways to obtain support, information and services for the entire workspace, including traditional desktop and mobile-device environments, according to the press release. The new DaaS has been built to the specifications of the U.S. government Federal Risk Authorization and Management Program security standard, and Unisys is currently seeking FEDRAMP certification for several of its North American data centers.

“The comprehensive managed services, global end-user support and enhanced security Unisys provides in the Unisys Desktop as a Service solution complement our desktop virtualization technology,” said Erik Frieberg, vice president of product marketing, End-User Computing, at VMware. “The Unisys solution affords VMware Horizon clients a cost-effective way to create and manage an infrastructure that gives end users easy access to a standardized but flexible set of software resources.”

UniPrint also announced integrated support for its Infinity Software secure printing suite with Horizon virtual and remote desktops earlier this week. By giving IT admins instant access to the entirety of Unisys’ DaaS solutions and services, Horizon users should be able to tailor their virtual desktops to their individual business needs, rather than adhering to the limited number of service licenses and infrastructure options previously available.