2X Channel Index Explodes Myths of Cheap and Easy Desktop & Application Virtualisation

Research shows that IT and business cost reduction mandates most commonly drive desktop and application virtualisation and lack of understanding and internal skills are the most common customer implementation headaches. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) December 09, 2010 - 2X Software today announced its European Desktop & Application Virtualisation Index, in which over 100 resellers and solution providers foretold expanding market opportunity in 2011, characterised by customers and resellers demanding greater value, simpler products, quicker installation and faster returns.

IT and business cost reduction mandates most commonly drive desktop and application virtualisation, for 86 percent (86) of respondents followed by flexible working for 55 percent (57). Despite this 91 percent (95) cited lack of understanding, 70 percent (73) noted internal skills and 59 (54) percent named solution complexity as customer implementation headaches.

For 56 percent (54) their clients considered it too expensive - a factor directly delaying implementation and ROI.

Nikolaos Makris, CEO, 2X Software said, "Our Index indicates that many brand name approaches to virtualising applications and desktops are failing to excite channel partners and end users but causing complexity headaches and escalating costs that flaw their arguments for virtualising in the first place."

2X Software's Index exposed the 'myth' that desktop and application virtualisation using market leading platforms is cost effective and easy. While 57 percent (59) of resellers surveyed agreed their customers thought virtualising applications and desktops was simple most also admitted that at the implementation level their customers were challenged by complexity.

The technical and project management focus of services cited as customer priorities - namely technical implementation skills - 95 percent (95) - project management/assurance - 79 percent (89) and project testing - 79 percent (84) - further indicate the end users' struggle to grasp benefits.

Despite these challenges resellers are still expecting a marked rise in desktop and application virtualisation business next year. In 2010 it comprised 0 percent to 10 percent of revenues for the majority of respondents, 60 percent (67), but in 2011 it is expected to comprise 20 to 100 percent of revenues for the majority, 76 percent (74).

Status as a virtualisation vendor partner is less important to resellers than being able to offer competitive value for money as the top critical success factor for selling desktop and application virtualisation. Value was of high importance to 82 percent (89) compared to joint marketing with vendors for just 18 percent (20) and partner accreditation for 33 percent (42). Respondents' most common vendor support demand, for 58 percent (57) was for products that are more cost effective and simpler to implement in order to offer virtualisation to a larger market.

Makris concluded, "2011 sees increased market opportunity for companies selling desktop and application virtualisation solutions but they will increasingly build upon vendor technologies that can offer a point of differentiation on price, simplicity and ease of use, rather than brand loyalty."

The 2X Software European Desktop & Application Virtualisation Index was carried out through online survey in November 2010 across the UK and mainland Europe. Over 100 resellers responded to the survey.

About 2X Software

2X Software Ltd. develops enterprise server-based virtual computing software, enabling desktop virtualisation and application streaming on personal computers and thin client devices. Its product line, which includes the award-winning 2X VirtualDesktopServer and 2X ApplicationServer, is easily scalable, installable, and manageable with straightforward licensing, resulting in product prices far below those of competitors. For more information, please visit: http://www.2x.com.

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