VMware and Mitel Work together to Integrate Unified Communications into Desktop Virtualization

VMworld is an annual event where multiple announcements and products are typically unveiled and this year’s 2011 show proved to be no different, as yesterday VMware and Mitel (News - Alert) announced a new feature that will help with the increasingly popular transition to desktop virtualization for IT departments all around the globe.

The companies revealed that Mitel will seamlessly integrate its virtualized Unified Communicator (UC) Advanced client software with VMware View 5, which will power both organizations to incorporate soft phone and mobile device integration into a desktop virtualization environment, according to a press release. The release added that these newly added features will help to dramatically enhance desktop virtualization, allowing a user's voice solution and UC applications to be rapidly deployed together as one solution within a virtual desktop environment.

"Today's announcement represents a significant step forward in the evolution of desktop virtualization," said Rich Costello, senior research analyst at IDC (News - Alert). "These new technology breakthroughs will help accelerate adoption of desktop virtualization. IT departments should begin evaluating how and when they should make the transition to this type of environment."

This collaborative effort will yield a new capability that was previously unavailable, as currently users cannot stream virtualized Mitel voice applications to a virtual desktop without adversely effecting performance levels. Besides being able to easily utilize the desktop with VMware View, users in addition can see multiple benefits from key tools such as voice, video, presence, secure instant messaging, audio and web conferencing, document sharing, voice messaging and email, right from their VMware View client.

"VMware and Mitel have helped 'crack the code' on streaming communications and collaboration applications to the virtual desktop, thus giving IT freedom from the 'walled garden' approach driven by legacy IT vendors," said Christopher Young, vice president and general manager, End-User Computing, VMware. "Mitel's Freedom architecture, which already delivers an open, single software solution on a virtual machine, has now been augmented to support streaming on the VMware View™ desktop client software. By doing so, VMware is taking another step forward in enabling universal desktop access, delivering a truly open model that benefits both IT and the user."

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.