This analysis tool compares the costs and benefits of continuing to purchase stand-alone desktop PCs with the costs of replacing them with server based virtual desktops. A default analysis period of 6 years is used in the model due to the extended asset life of thin clients vs. traditional PCs.

The model assumes replacement of desktop PCs based on a user defined annual schedule.  This replacement schedule is used to evaluate the costs of continuing with stand-alone PCs to the costs of replacing existing desktops with thin clients and server based desktop virtualization.

Either Citrix XenDesktop or VMWare View can be used as basis for the costs in the analysis. The model assumes that XenDesktop would be running on VMWare vSphere hypervisor. Software costs are based on recent list prices, but can be adjusted as needed.

In order to speed up the time it takes to perform a cursory analysis we have included many default values in the tool. All of the default values can be overridden to get to a more customized analysis. We recommend that as you progress through your assessment and proof of concept revisit this cost analysis and update the values based on new information gathered about consolidation levels, memory requirements, storage requirements, asset costs, software license costs, etc.

There are helpful input field notes and links throughout the tool to assist the user with questions about the input fields and financial concepts. This tool should be used to estimate the potential costs and benefits of VDI related projects. The results will only be as accurate as the information entered.

This tool does not attempt to steer the results in any direction. You can turn off or scale back soft benefits as needed. STA Tools does not endorse any particular VDI products or VDI in general.

Check it out at: www.stawebtools.com