VMware and Mitel Collaborate On Virtual Desktop and Unified Communications

VMware and Mitel unveiled a significant technical advancement designed to considerably increase the already growing deployment of desktop virtualization for IT departments around the world. Specifically, Mitel will integrate its virtualized Unified Communicator(UC) Advanced client software with VMware View5, enabling Mitel and VMware to deliver soft phone and mobile device integration into a desktop virtualization environment.

This unique collaboration will dramatically extend the power of desktop virtualization, enabling a user's voice solution and UC applications to be deployed together as a single unified solution in a virtual desktop environment. By doing so, IT departments can significantly reduce costs while extending their desktop and mobile environment to anywhere a user has an Internet connection.

VMware View and Mitel UC Advanced This integration represents a significant technical achievement. Today, users cannot stream virtualized Mitel voice applications to a virtual desktop without significant impact to performance and latency. In addition to accessing the desktop with VMware View, users will also be able to access their collaboration tools, including voice, video, presence, secure instant messaging, audio and web conferencing, document sharing, voice messaging and email, from their VMware View client.

Desktop virtualization using VMware View offers IT tremendous benefits by moving desktops and applications into the cloud and delivering them as a managed service. IT administration is more automated and efficient, security is improved and the total cost of desktop ownership can be reduced by as much as 50 percent. End users can get a rich, consistent and high-performance desktop experience from any qualified device -- including mobile devices like tablets and smartphones -- whether in the office or on the go.

VMware and Mitel are combining the capabilities of VMware View with Mitel's UC Advanced client software, giving users of a virtualized desktop access to both their desktop applications and their communications apps, essentially making both their desktop computer and communications device (mobile, soft phone or desk phone) available to them no matter where they may be.

"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."

"IT departments now have a powerful new tool to help them manage their infrastructure," said Stephen Beamish, Mitel's vice president, marketing and business development. "With UC as another virtualized application available on any device, they will have greater control and flexibility than ever while still reducing capital costs."

Interested parties can view a demo of this joint solution at VMware's booth # 621 and Mitel's booth # 560 at VMworld 2011, currently taking place in at the Venetian Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas through Thursday, September 1, 2011.