When deploying a VDI solution it is important to deliver PC like experience. Another requirement is delivering PC-grade applications on the VDI desktop. This is possible for the majority of office applications but applications that require (near) real-time two way audio and/or video, like Unified Communication solutions, remain a challenge.

The cause of this is the need to encode and decode voice and video. It isn’t feasible at scale to carry raw voice/video data from the endpoint to the datacenter to be encoded, or to decode it all there and send the video/audio data to the endpoint.

That is why development of Unified Communication solutions like Microsoft Lync are important to VDI vendors who need to continually reassure IT and end-users that the user experience will be the same as if they were working in a traditional personal computer.

Today, VMware announced that VMware is working with Microsoft to bring support for Microsoft Lync to VMware View desktops. The combination of VDI with Unified Communications leads to increased productivity, mobility and flexibility for employees, customers and partners alike. Soon, VMware View users will be able to communicate and collaborate with the Lync 2013 client, using rich voice and video features, all from within the VMware View desktop.

The combination of VMware View with Microsoft Lync helps to allow users the freedom to work, communicate and collaborate from their virtual desktop across a variety of devices and locations. It helps employees be more productive because they have full access to their business desktop and communications platforms, whether they are in the office, traveling or at home. This announcement highlights that Microsoft and VMware are committed to bringing forward solutions that our mutual customers desire.

“Microsoft is committed to providing its Office customers a complete experience, wherever they are. This includes supporting Lync in a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. VMware provides a quick and easy way to integrate Microsoft technologies.

Since our employer, Imtech ICT, is one of the largest VMware End User Computing partners and Microsoft Lync partners in the Netherlands, this is great news. We will share our experiences as soon as this VMware View/Microsoft Lync combination is available.