What is VMware Horizon?

Susan Asher | Tuesday, December 20, 2022

What is VMware Horizon?

With more people than ever before working from home, VMware Horizon provides a reliable, adaptable commercial desktop and app virtualization product for a remote workplace. VMware Horizon delivers virtual desktops and applications so people can securely work from anywhere and can access their files and applications on any device with a consistent, personalized desktop environment.

Horizon offers a suite of features for administrators, including comprehensive security and management capabilities like centralized monitoring, hybrid and multicloud deployment options, and streamlined image management and application management.

For years, VMware has been a leading player in desktop virtualization with nearly 21% of the global server market in 2019 according to Statista. There’s a wide selection of IT training and certifications already available for VMware technology, so let's dig into exactly what Horizon is, who is using it, and what benefits it can provide.

What is VMware Horizon?

VMware Horizon is a digital workspace that allows users to run virtual desktops and applications from anywhere using Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, Chrome and Android. Key products in the platform’s comprehensive suite include vSphere for cloud computing, View Personal Management for managing user profiles, and ThinApp for application virtualization. Horizon can be deployed across private and public clouds, allowing for hybrid and multicloud architectures. Horizon also integrates with a variety of VMware products for security and management.

ExitCertified provides courses specifically designed for potential VMware Horizon administrators and tier-one operators to get them up and running within just a few days.

Top Benefits of VMware Horizon

While there are countless benefits of using VMware technology, below are the five top reasons why VMware Horizon is a great option for your virtual desktop.

1.   Seamless experience

No matter whether you’re working from a mobile device, personal laptop, or an on-premises desktop, VMware Horizon’s Single Sign-on allows for a seamless experience across devices, giving you the freedom to work without obstacles. 

Its intuitive user experience can give even the newest employee a consistent, reliable option without the need for lengthy IT training. And powerful features like instant resume save the current state of your virtual machine, allowing you to suspend the system to patch it, and then spin it back up just as it was prior to suspension.

Learning how to develop and deliver this experience can be challenging, but ExitCertified’s three-day VMware Horizon training course for virtual desktop management allows operators to become comfortable with VMware Horizon quickly.

2.   Unified management

VMware Horizon is integrated with VMware Workspace ONE, which provides unified endpoint management for all devices. This means you can manage and secure all your endpoints from a single console, making it easy to keep track of and secure your data.

This integration also allows VMware to continuously update its management capabilities and provide best-in-class service even as market trends change or new requirements emerge.

Getting comfortable with Workspace ONE is one of the first steps for any administrator, and our fast-paced five-day Workspace ONE course will get anyone up to speed.

3.   Security and compliance

With VMware Horizon, data security is taken very seriously. The platform is compliant with a variety of regulations and standards, including HIPAA, PCI DSS and GDPR. It also uses multiple layers of security, including authentication and authorization, to keep your data safe.

In all of the VMware properties, security layers from Carbon Black provide advanced endpoint security and a Zero Trust access security model, giving you the peace of mind that your data is protected. Carbon Black’s endpoint protection includes threat identification, threat detection, and response and auditing capabilities.

Horizon also meets a variety of compliance requirements like System and Organizational Controls 2 and 3, a Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire and a Cloud Controls Matrix. 

4.   Cost-effective

VMware Horizon is a cost-effective option with a variety of pricing models to suit your organization’s needs.

Pricing Options:

  • Horizon Universal Subscription: Premium desktop and app delivery with the full suite of cloud management services for multicloud deployments
  • Horizon Enterprise Plus Subscription: Advanced desktop and app delivery with select cloud management services for a single cloud deployment
  • Horizon Standard Plus Subscription: Simple desktop delivery with basic cloud management services for single cloud deployment

Find a full feature comparison on all the information required to make an informed decision on your business’s needs.

5.   Scalable

VMware Horizon scales with your business. With its ability to be deployed across private and public clouds, hybrid and multicloud architectures, and a wide range of pricing options, it's a great choice for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, with VMware's end-to-end security measures in place help ensure your data is secure.

Browse ExitCertified's VMware Horizon Course Catalog

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