Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Citrix & Microsoft announced two radically new promotional offers targeted at customers either looking at or currently using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure configurations and want to both increase their capabilities while lowering their cost of VDI-related software licensing relative to VMWare View.

[taken from the Citrix & Microsoft offer web site]

VDI KickStart – “Get started with VDI for only $7K”
Interested in VDI? Kick start your VDI implementation today and save 50% on Microsoft VDI Standard Suite and Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition. With the VDI Kick Start promotion, eligible customers only pay $28 per device² for up to 250 devices, giving them the opportunity to launch a VDI implementation for only $7K¹. The offer includes Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription and Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual licenses.

• Eligibility:  Customers with Microsoft Core CAL or Enterprise CAL suites with Software Assurance through Enterprise and Select family of agreements are eligible for this offer starting immediately. In addition, Open Value & Campus Agreement and School Agreement (CASA) family of agreements are also eligible starting July 1, 2010. Discount is limited up to 20% of Core CAL or Enterprise CAL covered desktops or 250 devices, whichever is less.
• Discount:  Eligible customers will receive a 70% discount on Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription license and a 50% discount on Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license.
• License Duration:  Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription is valid until termination of VL agreement or maximum of 3 years. Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license is valid for one year.
• Offer Period:  The VDI Kick Start promotion is available until December 31, 2010.

Rescue for VMware VDI – “Get the best virtual desktop solution – for FREE!”
Struggling with VMware VDI? Replace your VMware View licenses today with the best virtual desktop solution from Microsoft and Citrix VDI – for free³. Through the Rescue for VMware VDI promotion, eligible customers can trade-in their VMware View licenses with same number of Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription and Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual licenses, up to a maximum of 500, at no cost³.

• Eligibility:  Customers with existing VMware View licenses for desktops covered by Microsoft Core CAL or Enterprise CAL suites with Software Assurance through Select, Enterprise & CASA family of agreements can take advantage of this offer. Determination of eligibility will be done by Citrix and Microsoft sales representatives.
• License Duration:  Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription is valid until termination of VL agreement or maximum of 3 years. Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license is valid for one year.
• Offer Period:  The Rescue for VMware VDI promotion is available until December 31, 2010³

¹ Based on US estimated retail price for 250 devices; assumes customer has Windows Client Software Assurance. Prices will vary based on volume agreement, location and other factors.
² Based on US estimated retail price with 70% discount on Microsoft VDI Standard Suite subscription license and 50% discount on Citrix XenDesktop VDI Edition annual license; assumes customer has Windows Client Software Assurance. Prices will vary based on volume agreement, location and other factors
³ Based upon determination of eligibility by Citrix and Microsoft sales representative; Microsoft will be able to transact starting in April

Contact me if you’re a customer of mine for more information about how to get on this promotion before it expires.

• LINK:  Microsoft & Citrix Desktop Virtualization
  http://www.citrixandmicrosoft.com