Cloud Workspace Suite DaaS Platform on Google Compute Engine

IndependenceIT is the first cloud workspace enabler with a “Bring Your Own Cloud” strategy to support service providers with a hosting or infrastructure option of their choice. This infrastructure and hypervisor agnostic approach provides an unlimited number of IaaS/hosting options that include Verio Hosting Services, EarthLink, Microsoft Azure, Artisan Infrastructure, GCI Managed Cloud Solutions and Google Compute Engine. With Google planning to reduce cloud infrastructure costs and recently announcing that it will support Windows Server 2008 R2 based virtual machines in Google Compute Engine, this becomes a compelling option for DaaS. IndependenceIT welcomes Google as the most recent integration with Cloud Workspace Suite for a powerful, production hardened and comprehensive DaaS delivery platform.

The Cloud Workspace Suite is a complete cloud-based application and desktop-as-a-service enablement platform, giving businesses unprecedented ease of management and access to productivity tools. More than a simple virtual desktop, CWS provides an integrated online experience that harmonizes business applications and corporate file systems using a full-featured Microsoft Windows desktop from anywhere and on any device. Organizations retain complete control, security and auditability for compliance through an intuitive browser-based management system that reduces support costs, increases service quality and improves responsiveness.
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Ease-of-use is a hallmark of CWS, allowing users to enter a simple login through an RDS client the company has written for Microsoft devices, an HTML5 portal, or any RDS based client for non-Windows devices. IT administrators find CWS simple to use with little training required to become proficient. Administrators can manage the user or company profile and set policies from within the management panel and it will automatically update the appropriate virtual data center where the company/client is located. CWS will then identify the proper servers and provide access where needed, significantly reducing support and administrative costs.

“Building on the reliability and scalability of Google’s cloud infrastructure, IndependenceIT brings a tremendous partner to the front line with this alignment. With the Cloud Workspace Suite, IT users have a compelling option for centralized workspace management that greatly simplifies deploying and on-boarding applications and users,” said Brett Waldman, Research Manager at IDC. “The integration with Google is a positive move for the company with implications for competing industry players vying for market share.”

IndependenceIT has integrated its Cloud Workspace Suite with Google Compute Engine for powerful management and provisioning capabilities using the CWS API. This allows for automated spin-up of virtual machines and caching within the framework of an active directory organizational structure, pre-built so that when a deployment scenario occurs, the service provider can easily administer.

CWS Capabilities include:
• Complete cloud workspace delivery, including desktops, applications, back office systems and directory/user management.
• Ability to run large-scale workloads on consistently performant, scalable, highly secure and reliable virtual machines hosted on Google infrastructure across multiple locations all accessed and managed through a single interface.
• User-friendly desktop experience designed for performance and responsiveness.
• Mobile clients for distributed workforce environments and BYOD, such as Chrome book.
• Familiar interface (No retraining/relearning required).
• Single pane of glass systems/user management and fully automated provisioning.
• User and File audit tracking to support compliance SaaS enablement without sacrificing features to protect and extend revenue streams.
• White-label capability for service providers.

“Desktop-as-a-Service has exploded with the advent of branded solution providers announcing services in the space, the escalation of BYOD, and the sunsetting of XP, Windows 2003 server and SBS,” said Seth Bostock, CEO for IndependenceIT. “This activity has driven a storm of adoption and interest in the category that we are well-prepared to capitalize on. The deployment on Google Compute Engine further empowers service providers to deliver public and/or private cloud-based solutions with a strong value proposition for SMB and enterprise customers, promising greater efficiency and flexibility in how cloud workspaces are deployed.”