Given all the confusion over software licensing, Computerworld asked a number of analysts and industry experts what advice they would offer IT managers embarking on desktop virtualization projects. (See related story for more general software-negotiation tips.)
* Understand what you’re getting into from the outset. Read your software contracts, and make sure you understand your licensing rights. Look beyond just the number of licenses you own and look specifically at the terms and conditions.
* Recognize that the cost benefits of virtualization are long-term. Licensing costs need not be too onerous, as long as you understand what they are and work them into your total cost of ownership calculations from the beginning.
* Make sure you have a thorough inventory of your gear. You should know which equipment is licensed for what types of software and under what conditions. In addition, you should know what software is being used, how often it’s being used, and how many employees are using it.
* Require the vendors of the applications you plan to virtualize to support your preferred brand of desktop and application virtualization technology. Although few have stated publicly that they support specific virtualization technology, “we’ve seen, with some of our larger clients, [that the software vendor] will do a one-off support contract clause with that client and build that support in,” says Chris Wolf, an analyst at research firm Gartner Inc.
* Don’t go it alone. Find a consultant or a reseller that has experience and a good track record of doing desktop virtualization projects similar to yours.
