New Training Resources for XenDesktop5

The worldwide availability of Citrix XenDesktop® 5 last week marked another milestone in the advancement of desktop virtualization. Bringing more simplicity and power than ever before to virtual desktops for both users and IT, it supports a wide range of new consumer devices, thousands of new third-party products and an entirely new generation of web and software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps. XenDesktop 5 was first announced at Synergy Berlin along with the Desktop Transformation Model, an industry-endorsed, repeatable method to help customers move from the "wow" of desktop virtualization to the "how" of successful implementation. Experts from the technical services team at Citrix - consulting, education, and technical support - together with members of the Citrix Partner Network™, enable this model by guiding customers with experience and best practices to make the transformation. Today, Citrix is announcing a comprehensive set of resources and programs backed by its technical services expertise to support the Desktop Transformation Model and accelerate XenDesktop 5 implementations.
 
From "Wow to How": Resources to Enable XenDesktop 5 Success
 
The extensive list of technical resources and programs Citrix has released for XenDesktop 5 supports the Desktop Transformation Model with consultative services from design through implementation. Additionally, resources such as training and technical support are available on an ongoing basis to enable customer success post-implementation.
 
The following are technical resources available before and during implementation to drive success:
 
·         The Desktop Transformation Model is supported by Citrix consulting services, as well as a large ecosystem of partners through their own set of tools and service offerings. Through this consultative process, customers have access to knowledgeable desktop virtualization professionals, proven services expertise and real-world best practices and tools to kick-off their desktop virtualization initiative.
·         Citrix Demo Center, a cloud-based demonstration platform, is now updated to showcase the power and simplicity of XenDesktop 5. To request a demo and hands-on experience with the latest capabilities of XenDesktop 5, ask your Citrix sales representative or locate a participating Citrix certified partner at www.citrix.com/partnerlocator.
·         The 90-day XenDesktop Implementation is a consulting service offering from Citrix, which guides customers in the implementation of up to 1,000 XenDesktop 5 users in production in as little as 90 days. Citrix provides other implementation services using its proven consulting methodology to lead customers with best practices through any implementation of XenDesktop 5.
·         Ask the Architect is a go-to resource led by top architects at Citrix to learn how to approach desktop virtualization based on real-world implementation experience and best practices. For more information, visit the Ask the Architect website www.citrix.com/ata.
·         The XenDesktop 5 Reference Architecture is now available for download in the XenDesktop Design Handbook. The XenDesktop 5 reference architecture is a valuable, proven starting point for customers architecting their own desktop environments. All virtual desktop modalities, including hosted shared desktops, hosted VDI desktops, streamed desktops and local VM-based desktops can be integrated into the enterprise design.
·         Success Accelerator for XenDesktop 5, coming in early 2011, will be a free service for XenDesktop customers that simplifies desktop transformation projects with step-by-step technical guidance from Citrix consulting, technical support and education experts.  With reference architectures, best practices, how-to videos, templates and system health check tools Success Accelerator will match each resource to the appropriate project phase and technical scope. Visit www.citrix.com/successaccelerator/xd to learn more.
 
New post-implementation resources include:
 
·         XenDesktop 5 Training and Certification includes a 5-day in-depth technical training course on XenDesktop 5, which will be available in early January 2011 as instructor-led training or self-paced online learning featuring access to a virtual lab environment for hands-on practice. This training course prepares administrators and engineers to achieve their Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) certification in XenDesktop 5. To pre-register for this course or view a series of training preview videos focused on the latest features of XenDesktop 5, go to www.citrix.com/xdtraining.
·         The XenDesktop Experience is a new, free monthly technical newsletter for XenDesktop customers. The newsletter is comprised of handpicked technical resources designed to help customers setup and run their virtualized environment optimally and get more out of their XenDesktop investment. The XenDesktop Experience began arriving via e-mail on December 15.
 
 
SUPPORTING QUOTES
 
Mitch Parker, Vice President of Services, Citrix
"We are pleased to make such a robust line of services solutions available for XenDesktop 5. These technical tools, training, and consulting services will ensure that our customers have success with XenDesktop 5 when working with Citrix and our partners."
 
Tom Flink, Vice President of Channels and Emerging Product Sales, Citrix
"XenDesktop 5 provides customers with the ability to transform their desktop infrastructure with the help of thousands of XenDesktop certified Citrix Solution Providers worldwide. Citrix Solution Providers are prepared to help customers identify their business priorities, establish the time to value for specific user groups, and define the technology roadmap that is best suited to deliver the maximum value." 
 
 
RELATED LINKS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
·         Citrix Accelerates Virtual Desktop Revolution with XenDesktop 5
·         Desktop Transformation Model
·         XenDesktop 5 - Now Available for Immediate Download
·         Designing XenDesktop 5 User Experience
 
 
ONLINE RESOURCES
 
Citrix XenDesktop page
 
Citrix Consulting Services:
·         @djfeller on Twitter - Daniel Feller (Lead Architect, Citrix Consulting, desktop virtualization)
 
Citrix Education:
·         XenDesktop training resources
·         @Citrixeducation on Twitter
 
Technical Support:
·         Knowledge Center - http://support.citrix.com
·         Support Forums - http://forums.citrix.com/support
·         @Citrixsupport on Twitter
·         @Citrixreadiness on Twitter