VMware Announces VMware Workstation™ 9

VMware News Releases

VMware Announces VMware Workstation™ 9

Best-in-class Windows 8 support, innovative Web interface and restricted virtual machines now available

PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2012 —VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), the global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, today announced VMware Workstation™ 9, the latest version of its award-winning personal virtualization software. VMware Workstation 9 delivers best-in-class Windows 8 support and innovative new features that transform the way technical professionals work with virtual machines whether they reside on the PC or on enterprise private clouds.  

“For over a decade we have consistently delivered innovative new technologies with each Workstation release and Workstation 9 continues this tradition,” said Vittorio Viarengo, vice president, End-User Computing, VMware. “Workstation 9 brings the power of VMware virtualization to any IT professional desk and enables them to leverage the latest evolution of operating systems, processors and other technologies to be more productive and effective.”

Key new features in VMware Workstation 9 include:

• Windows 8 Support– Easy install simplifies the task of creating virtual machines for Windows 8 that can run simultaneously with a variety of legacy operating systems. Unity mode intelligently works with Windows 8 applications, and multi-touch support ensures a true Windows 8 experience. 
• More Powerful Virtual Machines – Faster startup performance, USB 3.0 support for Windows 8 virtual machines, Intel™ Ivy Bridge compatibility, more powerful virtualization extensions, virtual performance counters, support for OpenGL 2.1 on Linux and improved 3D graphics performance make running highly demanding applications simple and efficient.
• Increased Mobility – A new Web interface allows access to virtual machines running in Workstation or on VMware vSphere® from tablets, smart phones, laptops or desktop PCs.  This high performance, Web-based interface delivers a native desktop experience and does not require flash or browser-based plug-ins.
• Restricted Virtual Machines – IT administrators and instructors can create virtual machines and configure them to prevent employees or students from dragging and dropping files between virtual and physical desktops, attaching devices, or tampering with the virtual machine settings.  Once restrictions are configured, the virtual machines can be encrypted and distributed to run on Mac, Windows, or Linux PCs with VMware Fusion® 5 Professional, Workstation 9, or VMware Player™ 5.

Pricing and Availability
VMware Workstation 9 is currently available for purchase for $249. Upgrades from VMware Workstation 7.x and 8.x are available for $119. VMware customers who have purchased VMware Workstation 8 between Aug. 1, 2012 and Sept. 30, 2012 are eligible for a complimentary electronic upgrade to VMware Workstation 9. For more details on VMware’s complimentary electronic upgrade program please go here.
Workstation can also be purchased through VMware’s network of resellers and distributors. Download a free trial here.

Additional Resources

• Learn more about VMware Workstation 9 on the Workstation Zealot Blog
• Read more about the new features in VMware Workstation 9
• Viewand download screen shots of VMware Workstation 9
• Follow the VMware Workstation team on Twitter and Facebook

About VMware
VMware is the leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions that enable businesses to thrive in the Cloud Era. Customers rely on VMware to help them transform the way they build, deliver and consume Information Technology resources in a manner that is evolutionary and based on their specific needs. With 2011 revenues of $3.77 billion, VMware has more than 300,000 customers and 25,000 partners. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com.

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Global IT Survey Highlights Enthusiasm over Tablets

News release from Cisco:

PRESS RELEASE

Global IT Survey Highlights Enthusiasm over Tablets in the Enterprise, Shows Customization, Collaboration and Virtualization as Key Features

IT managers express concerns over security and application access

Related Information

Here's a quick look at some of the top findings from Cisco's global survey on IT managers' perceptions about tablet form-factor mobile devices in the enterprise.

The Cisco Cius: Cisco's highly secure, built-for-business mobile collaboration device in the tablet form-factor.

Cisco Cius and HD Media Station. Here, the Cius is shown docked during a video call.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jan. 24, 2012 – Cisco today announced findings from a global survey of IT managers' perceptions about tablet form-factor mobile devices in the enterprise.

Cisco commissioned Redshift Research to survey 1500 IT managers and executives in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany and Spain to assess attitudes, fears and hopes for tablet form-factor mobile devices ("tablets") in the workplace. Still a nascent market, 2012 is seen as a year in which enterprise-grade tablet computing will undergo significant change.

Redshift polled IT managers and executives in a wide variety of global companies of all sectors and sizes.  All respondents are either primary IT decision makers or play a key role in the decision process for all IT products. Sole proprietors were excluded from the study. Field work was conducted in late 2011.

Key findings include:


Tablet Demand

•       Tablets vs. smartphones: which win?  Globally, IT departments report employees place one tablet request for every three smartphone requests today.

•       Which countries lead? Of the countries surveyed, the US and France are tied for tops—each report a tablet is requested by 21% of the workforce. Senior executives are most likely to be issued a tablet in the US (38%) and least likely to be issued one in the UK (27 percent)

•       Who's most excited? Spain tops the list, with 90% of IT managers believing the tablet will become more popular in the next two years.

•        "Uber-connected sales guys". Tablets are significantly more prevalent among salespeople in Germany (31%) than in all other countries (21% on average).

Fears And Wants

•       Tops in security concerns? The U.S., the country with the most experience managing tablets, also ranks #1 on the "security issue": 75% of US IT managers said new rules must be established around security and device usage.

•       What about app access? Nearly half (48%) of all IT managers surveyed agree that access to company applications should be restricted for all employees. Canada and UK were the top countries in wanting to see restricted access on tablet form-factor devices (55% and 56 %, respectively).

•      Custom apps? IT managers universally agree that custom tablet applications would benefit their business.

•       Top "want list" features? Globally,three-quarters of IT managers indicated email and document sharing are "must haves". About half agreed or strongly agreed that these are desirable: video conferencing, IM, access to company databases and seamless synchronization with other business devices.

"BYOD"

•       Turning a blind eye to BYOD. Globally, 48% said their company would never authorize employees to bring their own devices (BYOD), yet 57% agreed that some employees use personal devices without consent.

•       51% of the respondents reported the number of employees bringing their own devices to work is on the rise.

•       Using personal devices without consent was highest in the US (64%) and lowest in Germany (49%).

•       Access to company servers was highlighted as a "huge problem" of the "bring your own device" to work phenomena as was lost/stolen devices (64% globally).

•       Globally, 44% say that handling BYOD issues diverts IT attention from other important projects.  

Supporting Quotes

Tom Puorro, director of product management, IPCBU, Cisco Systems

"Mobile workers and virtual workspaces are here to stay—but so are the demands on IT to continue to ensure enterprise-grade security, manageability and interoperability.  2012 promises to be an exciting year and IT leaders are a critical component in unleashing innovation and enabling organizations to take advantage of the next wave of business growth and opportunity. Cisco is keenly focused on helping its customers navigate the post-PC era and transform their business."

Additional Resources:

• Find out more about Cisco's highly secure, built-for-business mobile collaboration device,  the Cisco Cius
• Visit the Cisco Collaboration blog

Technorati Tags:


Cisco, Cisco Cius, business tablet, mobile collaboration device, tablets, technology trends, cloud computing, BYOD

About Cisco Collaboration


From award-winning IP communications to mobility, customer care, Web conferencing, messaging, enterprise social software, and interoperable telepresence experiences, Cisco brings together network-based, integrated collaboration solutions based on open standards. These solutions offered across on-premise, cloud-based or virtualized platforms, as well as services from Cisco and our partners, are designed to help promote business growth, innovation and productivity. They are also designed to help accelerate team performance, protect investments, and simplify the process of finding the right people and information.

About Cisco


Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

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