Fujitsu launches new Virtual Desktop-as-a-Service platform to help channel partners accelerate their transition to become service integrators

The new offering responds to the market demand for enhanced employee experience within the SMB and mid-market segments. The number of users within an organisation using a Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) model is expected to rise to 28 percent in three years’ time, followed by 42 percent in five years’. This is according to Fujitsu’s latest research, which also found that 64 percent of senior IT decision makers agree they will likely use DaaS as a route to Windows 10 when faced with the impending Windows 7 end of support deadline in January 2020. This number rises to 72 percent for organisations with less than 1000 employees.

Fujitsu vDaaS transforms the workplace by empowering employees to connect, collaborate and innovate wherever they are. For businesses looking for rapid and lower-cost adoption of virtual desktops, Fujitsu vDaaS enables employees to use applications and data securely from any device and businesses’ cloud desktops are instantly available securely from a UK datacentre. As a fully scalable cloud-based solution, it meets the demands of both large and small organisations, owing to its simple and transparent pricing model. Businesses can start from as little as 20 seats and grow, with the ability to flex up and down for short term requirements as the service is priced per month and per user.

Leigh Schvartz, Head of Cloud and Managed Provider Offerings, said: “The traditional IT channel is changing; more of our channel partners are looking to evolve their business models and grow their annuity revenue, and our service provider partners are transitioning into service integrators to add more value to their customers. As a recognised Canalys Channel Champion, and industry leading global IT services company, Fujitsu is best placed to help our partners on this journey. Fujitsu vDaaS removes the barriers to setting up a service in a high growth market, enabling our partners to add a new revenue stream to their business with no up-front cost or risk. In addition, Fujitsu being recognised as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, Europe, 2019 for Managed Workplace Services gives customers peace of mind in our ability to execute.”

Other benefits of the service include secure UK hosting with Cogeco Peer 1 (a founding member of Fujitsu’s service provider program, who recently announced its new owner Digital Colony), disaster recovery to other global vDaaS regions, direct connections into other public cloud services as well as complementary infrastructure, application and colocation services provided by Cocego Peer 1 – allowing partners to deliver a full workplace solution. Partners can also benefit from a truly hybrid model, using vDaaS from Fujitsu’s cloud, from their own datacentre, or on their customers’ site depending on requirements. This hybrid model offers the full benefits of vertical and horizontal scaling as well as Fujitsu´s Digital Workplace Services, and Fujitsu’s leading range of client computing devices for the user endpoints.

Susan Bowen, President of Cogeco Peer 1, said: “Fujitsu’s service provider program is a very exciting development within the industry and Cogeco Peer 1 is proud to be a founding member. As a company, we are delighted to have been chosen to power this new virtual Desktop-as-a-Service offering. Our IT infrastructure is built upon market leading technologies which will offer a complete workplace solution that Fujitsu partners are able to rely on. We believe in combining best-in-class technology to power the potential of businesses and enable them to grow.”

“There are a number of reasons the IT industry is looking at desktop alternatives, which include security concerns, desktop management pains, Windows migrations, shrinking IT budgets, green initiatives and the consumerisation of IT and mobile”, added Leigh Schvartz. “Traditional Virtual Desktop Infrastructure can address some of these issues, however, its inherent complexity and large up-front investment make it difficult to implement. Fujitsu vDaaS removes these barriers so businesses can adopt desktop virtualisation faster and more easily than ever before.”

Date: 03 April, 2019
City: London, UK