VMware Horizon









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VMware
Horizon

by Brady Hicks

Docid: 00021201

Publication Date: 2106

Report Type: PRODUCT

Preview

VMware Horizon 8 offers a VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) software set
for delivering virtual or remote desktops and applications. Horizon works to streamline desktop management, especially for environments that
feature a large end-user population or a group of users that are geographically
dispersed. License options include Subscription (Universal, Apps Universal,
Subscription, and Apps Subscription); Term (Enterprise Edition); and Perpetual
(Standard, Advanced, Enterprise, Apps Standard, and Apps Advanced). This report takes a detailed look at the Horizon
8 portfolio.

Report Contents:

Description

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VMware's Horizon, which is now available in version 8, offers VDI
(virtual desktop infrastructure) software that "transforms traditional VDI" by providing "simplicity,
flexibility, speed, and scale."

Related Faulkner Reports
VMware Mirage
Product
Desktop as a Service
Tutorial
Virtual Computing Overview
Tutorial

This type of application represents a major paradigm shift from 1990s-era client-server
computing in which Windows ruled the desktop market and end users were constrained
to operate from one device at one location. Virtual desktop computing, on the contrary,
permits end users to function anywhere at any time from a variety of devices.

Vendor
Name: VMware
Headquarters
3401 Hillview Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: (877) 486-9273
(650) 427-1000
Fax:
(650) 475-5001
Web: http://www.vmware.com/
Type of Vendor: Virtualization Solutions Provider
Founded: 1998
Service Areas: Global
Stock Symbol: VMW (NYSE), DVMT (NYSE)

Horizon 8 was initially released in August 2020, with its current build,
version 8.2.0.17736878, rolling out in March 2021. Horizon allows organizations
to deliver virtual – or remote – desktops and applications to end users through
a single VDI. The software also offers features for streamlining desktop management
tasks, especially for environments that feature a large end-user population or a
population in which the users are dispersed over a large geographic area. It also
expedites the installation of required or desired desktop updates.

Horizon is designed to provide a more streamlined approach to delivering, protecting,
and managing VDI and apps while also providing support for "anytime, anywhere" access
from virtually any device.

Figure 1 shows Horizon’s "just-in-time" management.

Figure 1. Horizon "Just-in-Time" Management

Figure 1. Horizon "Just-in-Time" Management

Source: VMware

Key Features

Key elements of the product set include:


  • Unique integration with VMware Technology

    – Including Cloud
    Foundation, for rapid provisioning and hyperconverged infrastructure for
    on-premise or cloud-based deployments.

  • Flexible Cloud Deployment Options

    – Deploy and manage desktops
    and apps, on-premise or in the public cloud, delivering up-to-date
    infrastructure with Horizon Control.

  • Smart Policies with Streamlined Access

    – Streamlines
    authentication across desktop and app services with True SSO and contextual,
    granular, role-based policies that connect user, device, and location
    information.

  • Blast Extreme Performance

    – Delivers secure, workstation-class
    performance, rich 2D and 3D graphics, and an immersive end-user experience
    with Blast Performance and Blast 3D.

Edition Comparison

Horizon is available as a subscription, term, or perpetual offering.


Subscription.

Subscription options include a single,
flexible-entitlement to all Horizon technology, services, and deployment options
(including on-premise, cloud-based, hybrid, and multi-cloud use cases).
Subscription licenses include:


  • Horizon Universal

    – Desktop and application delivery for
    on-premises or cloud deployment

  • Horizon Apps Universal

    – Application delivery for on-premises or
    cloud deployment

  • Horizon Subscription

    – Desktop and application delivery for cloud
    deployment

  • Horizon Apps Subscription

    – Application delivery for cloud
    deployment


Term.

Horizon Term Enterprise Edition, meanwhile, offers three-month
and one-year term SKUs based on Horizon Enterprise Edition license entitlement
and production support.

Table 1 offers a detailed comparison of the key Horizon Subscription and Term
editions.

Table 1. Horizon 8 Subscription and Term Editions
Feature Universal Subscription Apps Universal Subscription Standard Subscription Apps Standard Subscription Enterprise Edition (Term)

Licensing
License Type Subscription
SaaS
Subscription
SaaS
Subscription
SaaS
Subscription
SaaS
Subscription
Term
Concurrent / Named User X X X X X

Deployment
On-Premise X X X X X
Public Cloud X X X X Federal Only
Hybrid, Multi-Cloud X X     Federal Only
Restricted to Single-Location     X X  
vSphere, vCenter Included in Entitlement On-Premise On-Premise On-Premise   On-Premise
vSAN Included in Entitlement On-Premise       On-Premise
Package Option with No SDDC
Infrastructure
X X X X X

A

complete comparison
is available via the VMware Web site.


Perpetual.

Horizon is available in five perpetual editions:


  • Horizon Standard Edition

    – Powerful virtual desktop
    infrastructure with a great user experience

  • Horizon Advanced Edition

    – Delivery of virtual desktops and
    applications through a unified workspace

  • Horizon Enterprise Edition

    – Desktops and applications delivered
    with closed-loop management and automation

  • Horizon Apps Standard Edition

    – Powerful application
    virtualization with a great user experience

  • Horizon Apps Advanced Edition

    – Powerful application
    virtualization with closed-loop management and automation Horizon is also
    available as part of select Workspace ONE editions

Table 2 offers a detailed comparison of the key Horizon Perpetual editions.

Table 2. Horizon 8 Perpetual Editions
Product Features
Horizon Standard
  • Centralized virtual desktop management governed by business policies
  • Optimized for the software-defined data center with vSphere Desktop and
    vCenter Desktop
  • Blast experience to deliver consistent user experience to different devices
    and locations
  • Application packaging with VMware ThinApp
Horizon Advanced
  • Centralized physical and virtual desktop management governed by business
    policies using Horizon View and Mirage
  • Optimized for the software-defined data center with vSphere Desktop and
    vCenter Desktop
  • Blast experience to deliver consistent user experience to different devices
    and locations
Horizon Enterprise
  • Centralized physical and virtual desktop management governed by business
    policies using Horizon View and Mirage
  • Closed-loop reporting and Manageability using Mirage and vCenter Operations
    Manager for View
  • Blast experience to deliver consistent user experience to different devices
    and locations
  • Application delivery using VMware ThinApp, Hosted Apps, and application
    catalogs
  • Optimized for the software-defined data center with vSphere Desktop and
    vCenter Desktop
Horizon Apps (Standard and Advanced)
  • Single digital workspace
  • "Just-in-time" delivery
  • "Blast" performance
  • Built for the software-defined data center

Applications

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VMware's Horizon services are designed for two primary audiences: the enterprise

end-user
(providing 24×7 access to an enterprise desktop) and enterprise

IT staffer
(remotely delivering and managing enterprise virtual
desktops).

Environment

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Horizon supports Windows and Linux-based operating systems, and is powered by
the VMware Software-Defined Data Center.

Support

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VMware's offers a FAQ and support
resource page via
its Web site. The company's on-premise Horizon support options – which are available
for both one- and three-year terms – include

  • Basic Support – Technical support, 12 hours / day, per
    published Business Hours, M-F
  • Production Support – Technical support, 24×7

Pricing

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VMware should be contacted for price-related questions by calling (877)
486-9273, or by visiting the

Horizon Product Evaluation Center
. A
partner locator utility
is also available.

Competitors

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Competition includes offerings from Microsoft, Amazon, HPE, Citrix, and
Ericom, among others.

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About the Author

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Brady Hicks is an editor with Faulkner Information Services.
He writes about computer and networking hardware, software, communications networks
and equipment, and the Internet.

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