Citrix Systems chose Demo08 to launch XenDesktop, a desktop virtualization datacenter application. Using Xen Desktop software will allow IT managers to provision hundreds of end points with memory and storage. Deploying the virtual desktop is a three-stage process: IT selects the operating system, inputs the name of the end user and assigns memory and storage depending on the what applications the end user will Citrix Systems chose Demo08 to launch XenDesktop, a desktop virtualization datacenter application.Using Xen Desktop software will allow IT managers to provision hundreds of end points with memory and storage. Deploying the virtual desktop is a three-stage process: IT selects the operating system, inputs the name of the end user and assigns memory and storage depending on the what applications the end user will be using. Although the desktop is being piped down to an end point–typically not a full desktop but rather what was once called a thin client–in the demonstration rich media pages were running on the virtual desktop as fast as if the media was local. Xen Desktop allows users to personalize their desktop as if it was local, including using personal own screen savers. Data residing on a USB flash drive connected to the end point can also be accessed as if it were local. While the idea of using dumb terminals and having all the applications and operating system reside back in the datacenter is not new, what Citrix promises is unprecedented performance, equal to or better than a standalone desktop, plus ease of deployment and management for IT.Another boost to the idea of virtual desktops comes from Microsoft which last week announced a 70 percent reduction in the licensing fee. A virtual desktop license for either XP or Vista was dropped from $78 per seat to $23 per seat.The idea of virtualization was also demonstrated by StackSafe’s Test Center which claims to put an end to IT’s typical “patch and prey” operating mode, said Loren Burnett, president and CEO. StackSafe Test Center creates a virtualized copy of the corporate Web infrastructure and runs a readiness test to see if the infrastructure runs properly after a patch is deployed. If the patch or application enhancement has a negative impact on the virtual infrastructure an error message is sent. All tests provide details to find the source of the problem. Other tests in the virtual infrastructure include tests for reliability, performance, configuration and security. Technology Industry