FileShadow Delivers Thin Storage for Windows Virtual Desktops

FileShadow, which provides digital file and asset aggregation for virtual desktop users, has introduced a new Windows Virtual Desktop service that delivers thin provisioned storage for Windows virtual desktops.

The Windows Virtual Desktop product allows companies to give Windows virtual desktop users access to their files wherever the files are located, including the cloud, Windows PC and macOS desktops, and from network and direct attached storage devices using one secure cloud data vault. The data vault, which is searchable, is compatible with Amazon WorkSpaces, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, HVE ConneXions VDI Solutions, IOXO Workspace Technology, Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop and VMWare Horizon, according to FileShadow.

The services uses machine learning for indexing and searching to allow users to find any files using advanced search features. FileShadow is hosted on Google Cloud and IBM Cloud with storage on IBM Cloud Object Storage and Wasabi’s Hot Cloud Storage.

Using the FileShadow service, companies can separate user data from the operating system, local applications and user settings in their data centers, which can reduce costs by removing the need to synchronize the data with virtual desktop servers, according to the vendor. The files and content remain available but are only downloaded on demand to the local virtual desktop when edited or modified. The new service supports and integrates with cloud-based desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) and premises-based virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) products. Users can move between DaaS and VDI because the data is now portable.

Tyrone Pike, president and CEO of FileShadow, told Channel Futures that his company will now work with VDI integrators to offer the services to customers. Previously catering directly to consumers and industry professionals in industries with graphics and other large file requirements, FileShadow so far has two partners to sell the new product. Others will be added in the future, he said. One partner manages some 250,000 virtual desktops for clients while the other manages several thousand virtual desktops.

FileShadow’s Tyrone Pike

“One of the issues that accompanies a virtual desktop deployment is how to secure long-term storage of users’ files,” said Pike. “With FileShadow, all of the archiving, aggregation and searching capabilities used by traditional desktop users are now available for virtual desktop users.”

The FileShadow service is free for up to 100GB of data. Subscriptions for FileShadow for Virtual Desktops are available for $25 per month for 2TB, and each additional terabyte is $10 per month.

David Turcotte, the CEO and founder of IOXO, a desktop-as-a-service and VDI company, and one of FileShadow’s integration partners, said the new services will help his small- to medium-size business customers with their VDI deployments.

IOXO’s David Turcotte

“Everybody loves the idea of being in the cloud and not having to manage desktops,” said Turcotte. “Then the question is, ‘How do I get all my data and applications and workloads to the cloud for use with VDI?'”

IOXO now includes FileShadow services with each of its VDI offerings to their customers, said Turcotte.

“Previously we had to do the process manually for customers and we would have to send IT guys” to configure the files and storage so they would work with the VDI systems, he said. “It really solves what was a very manual heavy lift for customers. It simplifies the experience in a great way.”

Users can now automate the process by signing in through their FileShadow account on the IOXO platform and see their data, he said. “It is a huge deal and takes the burden off the partner,” said Turcotte.