Server virtualization was, for many in IT, a major win. IT departments and data centers were suddenly able to do a whole lot more with a whole lot fewer resources. Naturally, as time goes on, it’s become more and more attractive for IT to consider desktop virtualization.

Yet, the virtual desktop requires an infrastructure that’s simply not in place for many companies, and the ROI isn’t always clear from the start.

If you’re going to see desktop virtualization pay off for your organizations, there are five factors you need to look at closely:

1. Hardware failure. Desktop computers have components prone to failure. Virtual desktop clients are increasingly using solid-state components, dramatically reducing the number of moving parts – which are the most likely cause of failure. Some are even avoiding fans and complex motherboards that can be short-circuited. If you can reduce hardware failure by 75%, virtualizing the desktop starts to look really attractive.
2. The cost to upgrade. Upgrading the processing power of a virtualized desktop is as simple as reallocating VM resources. You don’t have to order new desktops or desktop components, and you don’t have to deploy them either.
3. End users support and management. You don’t need to remote in to work on a virtual desktop; you simply open your hypervisor, just like you would with a virtual server. You can manage the boot of any virtual desktop from your office, freeing up valuable staff time.
4. Deployment and scalability. While larger organizations might have pre-configured desktops sitting around waiting for deployment, most organizations don’t have that luxury. A new virtual desktop means simply pushing a pre-loaded template. It can be done in less than an hour.
5. Performance. With virtual desktops, the only potential bottleneck is I/O. All of the data opens across the network backbone, rather than out to the edge. Virtualized desktops often give an increase in performance as well as a reduction in latency.

If your organization is trying to justify desktop virtualization, take a look at things from the perspective of these five factors and see whether it can work for you.