The idea behind what is called a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is to run desktop operating systems and applications inside virtual machines that reside on servers in the data centre. Desktop operating systems inside virtual machines are also referred to as virtual desktops.

One of the most significant benefits of desktop virtualisation is that it gives IT administrators an easy and centralised way to manage employees' computers. Instead of each computer being separate, administrators create just a handful of virtual machines (VMs) or VM templates for different roles within a company.

These VMs would include not just the operating system, but also any applications and drivers the employee would need. Such deployments work best where many employees need essentially the same functionality. For example, some colleges are looking at desktop virtualisation as a way of implementing upgrades quickly between term times.  Colleges often have only a short period of time between the end of one term and the beginning of the next, which is not typically enough time to update every single computer across campus without interfering with the academic schedule and causing downtime. By installing new, already patched VMs on computers, colleges can upgrade all campus computers within three to five days instead of three to five weeks,

For Desktop Virtualisation products check out VMware View, MS Desktop Virtualisation and Citrix XenDesktop