VMware outs Workspace ONE desktop virtualisation platform

Virtualisation specialist VMware has taken the wraps off its Workspace ONE platform, which integrates identity, application, and mobility management and allows enterprises to deliver hosted apps to end-user devices.

Source: VMware

Aimed at providing secure digital workspaces in both BYOD and business-owned device environments, Workspace ONE offers single sign on for users using biometric authentication such as Apple's TouchID fingerprint sensor.

It is intended to make it easier for IT departments to securely manage employees in a mobile world by offering a "unified digital workspace" based on identity, rather than locking down devices.

Once users are authenticated they are assigned a digital workspace, the assets of which are managed by their IT department.

Authenticated users receive instant access to personalised enterprise application stores, and can subscribe to "virtually any" mobile, cloud-based or Windows program.

Application delivery can be automated and updates provided on the fly, VMware said.

The AirWatch mobile device management is integrated in Workspace One, supporting Apple iOS, Google Android and Microsoft Windows devices.

Secure mail, calendar, chat and content management applications are provided, and the company said Workspace ONE would also integrate with Atlassian Jira, Github, and Jenkins for devops teams, as well as web apps such as Evernote, Gmail and Yahoo! Mail.

VMware also today touted its Horizon Air Hybrid-Mode cloud integrated platform for virtual desktop and app delivery for use with Workspace ONE. 

Thanks to the Instance Clone technology, App Volumes and User Environment Manager, VMWare claimed it was possible to create up to 2000 virtual desktops in under 20 minutes with Horizon Air.

Pricing for Workspace ONE starts at US$8 (A$11.35) per user and month for cloud-based subscriptions, going to US$150 (A$212.30) for on-premises perpetual licenses.

Horizon Air Hybrid-Mode costs US$16 (A$23) per named user and month, or US$26 (A$37) per concurrent connection and month.