Barnardo’s, the children’s charity, has halved the amount of face-to-face training after adopting virtual computing solutions.

The charity upgraded to the virtual technology three years ago and since then the use of virtual classrooms has made real training more or less redundant.

Lisa Johnson, information services learning and development co-ordinator at Barnardo’s, said, “Training the staff without any form of distance learning would mean a combination of classroom sessions and on-site visits, but that approach wouldn’t be particularly efficient.

It would often be impossible to make a personal visit to a remote office and be back on the same day, or at least within working hours. We needed a solution that would be able to reduce our dependence on travel and allow us to reach more people in less time.”

As a result, the upgrade has become very popular and a better solution for many of the employees and volunteers at Barnardo’s, with more than 50 percent of training now being delivered online.

The convenience of the technology has also meant that fewer trainers are needed and that as many as four sessions can be delivered per day, a figure that would be impossible before the upgrade. For instance, before the new virtual solution face-to-face training took up to a day to deliver, whereas now it can be finished in just 45 minutes.

Ms. Johnson added all that employees and volunteers need is to have an internet-access computer and a telephone and they can then receive quality training, regardless of their location. 

The Republic of Macedonia has become a forerunner in educational reform after a three year partnership to ensure every student has access to a computer.

The Macedonian Ministry for the Information Society recently announced that it is set to add a further 60,000 virtual desktops in their schools, as an attempt to improve computer literacy.

Once the upgrade is complete it will mean that the Macedonian school system  will have a total of 200,000 virtual desktops.

This large amount of computers has meant that every elementary and secondary school student in the nation can now have access to a computer in the classroom.

Ivo Ivanovsky, Minister of Information Society of the Republic of Macedonia, said, “The One Computer for Every Student initiative is the largest and most important education project undertaken in the 15-year history of the Republic of Macedonia.

Our goal is to build a knowledge-based economy in which our entire workforce is educated in using information and communication technology.”

The virtual desktops, that have been adopted in the schools, mean that students can receive optimum performance and fully utilise the capacity of existing machines. 

The new system also runs at a fraction of the cost primarily due to reduced maintenance costs, as well as lower energy bills. This means that the system reduces energy consumption, which makes them more eco-friendly.

However, the best thing about the scheme is that students who were previously unfamiliar with PCs can now have access to a computer for the first time.

Mr. Ivanovsky went on to say that by adopting virtual desktop technology in Macedonian schools, the country has become a leader for computer-based education.

There is a lot of confusion about desktop virtualisation and this is mainly because the terminology can be a bit disorienting.

So here are some things businesses need to know and a few key terms are explained as well.

1. Virtualisation really means virtualisation. Virtual desktops mean exactly that, it is not an actual desktop that is only available in one place and in one computer but rather something that can be accessed anywhere and on any machine. The machine you log onto then transforms or impersonates a real desktop.

2. Desktop virtualisation and VDI are the same thing. The difference is a matter of brand, like Hoover and Vacuum cleaner, one is a brand and the other is the general product. Other than that they are more or less the same.

3. Desktop virtualisation can mean different things. There is server-based computing where you access a desktop virtually and then there is the running of virtual machines on desktop systems. So make sure you know what it is that you want for your business.

4. Virtual desktops may cost more yet they deliver a better IT solution. The extra cost of a virtual desktop means that you will receive a better user experience, greater manageability and, the ability to perform virtual snapshots for quick recovery in the event of a crash.

5. Application virtualisation eases system updates. A virtual desktop system means that you will no longer need to update each computer individually. Instead you will just be able to update the entire system at once by simply updating the central computer.

With these five facts you should be better equipped to choose the right system for your company; however, our staff are always available to answer any of your virtual desktop questions.

The managing director of VMware has announced that personal desktops have become redundant now that virtual desktops have become more readily available.

Paul Harapin, managing director for VMware in Australia and New Zealand, was recently giving a speech at the EMC's Inform event at Sydney where he said that the operating system are soon to become superfluous. 

In fact, he actually said that virtualisation has meant that Microsoft Windows is no longer necessary and because it is expensive companies will no doubt switch to virtual alternatives instead.

"Applications don't have to be written for the operating system [...] things like operating systems will end when we come out of this transformation," said Mr Harapin.

What Mr Harapin meant by this is that as soon as businesses adapt and become aware of new IT solutions operating systems will become a thing of the past.

This type of transformation is already underway as at the present many software vendors are only creating applications to run in a virtualised environment rather than on an operating system.

What this means is that in years to come the key to a successful business will become software, as it will mean the difference between being a highly efficient company and a company that will be unable to meet the needs of its clients. 

Another reason why virtual solutions may become more popular is that with this technology many of the problems associated with desktop operating systems disappear.

However, Mr Harapin commented that it took most of the 90’s for companies to move from mainframes to micro-computers, so the move to virtual desktops may be gradual.

Kasetsart University has developed a three-dimensional virtual world that is fully interactive and is a way to represent Thai heritage, architecture, arts and culture.

The 3D Virtual World Heritage Wat Chaiwattanaram enables users to see a part of Thailand's history and it also illustrates how virtual solutions can help to solve real problems.

The project was developed as a joint venture between Kasetsart University and the Inter University Network and uses architectural schematics, design briefs and the virtual system.

Putchong Uthayyopas, a professor at Kasetsart University, said that the project aimed to create a cultural world that was in danger of getting lost. He said, "I think that the virtual 3D temple will create the inspiration for students to develop this 3D virtual environment and promote Internet tourism to a global audience."

The technology is so remarkable because it promotes communication and interaction with the virtual world via immersive visual and audio media. It is also versatile enough to enable new virtual worlds to be added to its database.

Users of the Wat Chaiwattanaram system have a 360-degree point of view and are present in the virtual world in real time, which is made even more realistic because of the 3D computer-human interaction.

Although the project is primarily an educational tool, it does demonstrate the impact virtual solutions can have on modern problems or projects. For example the technology could be adapted to design new office buildings or even to host business conferences in a virtual setting.

Any upgrade can be stressful to organise, whether it is updating your office decor, your office desks or even your office computer system.

It is therefore important to plan ahead and make a specific checklist to follow during the upgrade.

So here are five tips to help you during the move to a virtual desktop system and to ensure the upgrade is successful.

1) Create a profile of your workforce. This means identifying the amount of workers who work out of the office and could benefit from the system. You should also consider whether this will increase in the years to come. By creating this profile the decision to upgrade can be made a lot easier.

2) Create a business plan. Make a three year plan for your business ensuring you know what you need to achieve your business goals. This may include a list of products, tools, services or even a projected increase in your workforce.

3) Calculate the investment cost and potential savings. You should then create an estimate of the start-up and maintenance costs of virtual desktops and offset these against possible savings. If you stand to save money then the right system would be an asset to your company.

4) Communicate with your staff. This will enable you to determine what it is that they need from your computer system and how you could best meet their needs. It will also allow you to determine their familiarity with the system and to get their feedback. 

5) Predict any future trends. How will your company adapt in years to come and therefore how will your IT solutions have to adapt as well? You need to ensure your virtual desktop solution will meet your needs in years to come. 

International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading expert of market intelligence, has predicted that by 2013 the number of mobile devices in use will exceed the amount of PC’s.

This seems to be a highly probably scenario as the versatile features of the iPhone and similar devices has meant that its popularity has increased exponentially since its release.

This being the case, the office may be a thing of the past with workers and managers coming to realise that a formal office may be unnecessary in order for the company to function.

Research firm Gartner recently made a similar prediction to the IDC, stating that, "By 2013, mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common Web access device worldwide.

The total number of PC's in use will reach 1.78 billion units in 2013. By 2013, the combined installed base of smartphones and browser- equipped enhanced phones will exceed 1.82 billion units and will be greater than the installed base for PCs thereafter."

This new preference for mobile computer solutions has meant that office workers have found new ways to be productive and no longer need to be in the office to achieve their business goals. This is certainly the case for Philusa Corporation, a distributor of personal care products, which recently adopted the mobile technology.

Arlan Dimalanta, Philusa Corporation’s IT manager, said, "If enterprises open their eyes and look at areas to be improved by mobility, then they stand to reduce costs and increase their sales.

Solutions are all around, and we have proven that it can be done. It's time for more enterprises to adopt the technology."

A healthcare system from the Veterans Health Administration is gaining favour amongst health care reformers, who see the technology as a way to improve care and increase efficiency.

With the technology patients can record their pulse and blood pressure all in the safety of their own home and the information is then sent electronically to care coordinators at the Veterans Health Administration.

Dr. Adam Darkins, a telehealth executive at VHA, said that the system ensures that older patients can remain within their own home instead of needing to go to the hospital day after day.

Other features of the systems include the facility to record symptoms, such as shortness of breath or swollen ankles. This information is then uploaded to a central database in order to be diagnosed by a trained doctor in real-time.

Dr. Darkins, who is also chief-consultant at VHA, said, “We are getting patient satisfaction scores of 86 percent, which are very high levels.

The patients have to do less travel, and they can get problems resolved quickly. They feel the care coordination system is their lifeline."

The care facility has also benefited because the technology has meant a reduction in hospital admissions which has reduced the average time spent in the hospital for patients. Both of these factors mean the facility is set to lower costs by a significant amount.

Dr Darkins added, “We have seen a sustained growth in telehealth, and it is exciting to be recognized for that.”

As a result this virtual access technology has meant doctors can improve their efficiency levels and patients are not inconvenienced by excessive travel. These two features, common with virtual desktop technology, are important for any business. 

Nokia have recently released new software for their Smartphone that is expected to become the leading standard for phone-to-car integration.

The new software will enable car users to connect music to the stereo and there will also be other features specifically designed for out of office workers.

The company was assisted in this scheme by the Consumer Electronics for Automotive group, as a way to ensure the best design for car and Smartphone users.

Nokia designed the technology for the average driver who spends between one and two hours in their vehicle per day, with the intention of making the driver less isolated from the outside world.

There have been plans to create this technology for some time, as the modern office worker is already equipped with a Smartphone, Blackberry or iPod that can all be integrated into a car with the minimum of effort.

“The next logical step is to provide an easy way to connect their smartphone to their car. This way services and content from the mobile can be fully integrated with the in-car speakers, displays and control systems," said a Nokia representative.

Some of the features that will be of specific use to office workers will be the ability to use the stereo system to create a surround sound speaker-phone and the GPS location-based apps will help you get to a meeting on time. The representative said that this is possible because, “Smartphone not only holds their favourite music but now, if it is a Nokia smartphone, comes with free worldwide navigation services.”

You would also be able to receive updates on your phone about engine efficiency and car performance, to ensure that you do not break down at the side of the road. 

With this new technology your out of office experience does not have to mean you are out of the loop on important information. 

Dell has recently unveiled a new laptop range that has been designed to complement existing virtual desktop systems.

According to a Dell representative, the new Latitude E-Series laptop range is a flexible solution to existing hardware problems and offers improved security levels, a simplified virtual image management and improved application access. 

As a result the new technology is thought to boost performance and is aptly designed for existing virtual desktop systems.

Steven Lalla, vice president of Dell's client product group, said, "Today's workforce has become more globally dispersed and highly mobile with the expectation of 24/7 access to critical data and applications."

This fact led to the new laptop range, as it was specifically designed to enable modern office workers to gain immediate access to virtual data and then work remotely from any location in the world.

Mr Lalla added, "We are committed to providing innovative and flexible virtualisation solutions that help customers reduce costs, increase security and improve manageability."

Other features that the Laptop offers include innovative shock absorber technology to ensure data is not lost when the laptop is dropped, Windows 7 as standard and Intel Core processors.

Jeffrey W. Clarke, Dell Senior Vice President, said, “We’ve invested more than 1 million engineering hours and the result is a family of head-turning products that are as solid on the inside as on the outside.”

As the hardware is specifically designed to work with virtual desktop systems it is ideal for office workers who wish to replicate a desktop experience and have all the functionality they would have in their office.