VMware Releases Free iPad View Client – Control PCs from your iPad
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If you’re an IT manager running VMware on your servers, your job just got a little easier today. VMware, leader in PC virtualization, just released their free VMware View client for iPad. The client allows users to remotely interact and control a Windows server and applications directly from their iPad.
VMware is not the first to offer remote PC control via the iPad but the VMware View iPad client has a few things which set it apart from the competition. With the release of the iPad 2 just around the corner, we fully expect to see more enterprises jumping on the iPad bandwagon, so VMware’s timing couldn’t be better.
VMware designed the client from the ground up specifically for the iPad and incorporated features that we haven’t seen on other VNC clients. The app not only supports all the standard multitouch gestures but also lets users add an onscreen trackpad, keyboard or function keys to tailor their environment, giving them a choice of which input options they prefer. If virtual inputs aren’t your thing, the app also supports iPad keyboard docks, Bluetooth keyboards and can even be connected to a remote monitor using a standard iPad VGA connector cable.
As you would expect, the client app is tightly tuned to work with the company’s VMware View server software. The client is able to connect to servers over either WiFi or 3G using the PC over IP (PCoIP) display protocol. Secure connections are easily enabled for customers using VMware View Security Server ensuring sensitive data is not compromised over remote connections.
VMware, with its deep enterprise customer base, is pushing VMware View Client for iPad as a way to free workers from laptops or desktop PCs and move things to the cloud. The mobility that the iPad brings is a key selling point for many IT departments trying to help their users gain efficiency.
Kirk Larson, Chief Information Officer for Children’s Hospital Central California, said in a press release, “The iPad could fundamentally change the way our clinicians and staff approach their IT needs. Now with VMware View Client for iPad, our caregivers can have the freedom to access a patient’s electronic medical records anywhere in the hospital via an iPad on a secure VMware View desktop. This could not only improve patient care but may enable us to dramatically reduce costs and simplify device management.”
As nice as VMware View Client for iPad is, it is missing a few features which might be critical for some enterprise shops. The app doesn’t provide support for other display methods like VNC or RDP and only supports VMware View 4.6 or later so enterprise customers may need to upgrade before they can take advantage of VMware View Client for iPad.
VMware View Client for iPad has a lot to offer if you’re a VMware shop looking to add tablets to your workforce. The product’s tight VMware integration, flexible screen options and best of all its price (FREE) make it a great option for IT managers.
