IIJ to Launch Its Virtual Desktop Service / Citrix Cloud for Windows Virtual Desktop, a Fully Managed Windows Virtual Desktop Service | News

Adding Windows Virtual Desktop to its virtual desktop lineup and providing a one-stop-shop for everything from license procurement to building and managing environments

September 3, 2020

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Japanese Version

TOKYO-September 3, 2020-Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, TSE1: 3774), one of Japan's leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions providers, today announced the launch of "IIJ Virtual Desktop Service / Citrix Cloud for Windows Virtual Desktop," a fully managed cloud service for Microsoft's Windows Virtual Desktop. Customers can readily and safely access Windows Virtual Desktop in combination with the convenient management features of Citrix Cloud. The service is ideal for corporations with hundreds to thousands of users who wish to install virtual desktops while keeping costs down.

Windows Virtual Desktop is a virtual desktop service that Microsoft offers through Microsoft Azure. It is garnering attention as a new desktop as a service (DaaS) option with the expansion of telecommuting. Windows Virtual Desktop takes advantage of the cloud's ability to quickly scale virtual machine resources on Azure, allowing for a flexible response to user growth. Additionally, Windows 10's multi-session connectivity feature enables multiple users to share a single virtual machine, optimizing costs by improving aggregation rates and reducing the number of virtual machines. Furthermore, any user who already has a Microsoft 365 license does not need to purchase additional licenses, making virtual desktops a low-cost option.

Windows Virtual Desktop consists of management functions called "control plane" to control access to virtual machines, as well as "virtual desktop execution environment" such as servers and storage devices. The control plane is provided as a Microsoft managed service, while the execution environment has to be built on Azure by the customer. The setup and operational burdens of this service stand as a hurdle to its implementation. However, IIJ has the control plane available through Citrix Cloud, which is optimized for enterprise applications in terms of usability and management. IIJ also offers a fully managed service for setting up the execution environment on Azure.

Primary features

Easy access due to fully managed service provision

Even first-time customers of virtual desktops can easily install it due to IIJ's one-stop-shop of everything from procuring licenses for Windows Virtual Desktop to building, managing, and supporting environments for its use. Because it is a fully managed cloud service, customers can safely employ it without asset load and cost. Furthermore, by combining with various IIJ services such as connectivity services and “IIJ Flex Mobility Service,” a high-quality VPN service, customers can experience a more comfortable telework environment in one-stop.

Citrix Cloud offers better management of Windows Virtual Desktop usability

Offering Citrix Cloud as the Control Plane for Windows Virtual Desktop improves the virtual desktop's usability even further. In addition to improving the efficiency of Windows 10 updates, Citrix Cloud makes for safer, more stable connections to Windows Virtual Desktop by allowing for closed connections between client devices and the control plane and by smoothing out screen transitions with transmission protocols optimized for virtual desktops.

To promote working style reforms and long-term telecommuting, IIJ will provide a one-stop service by combining multiple IIJ services including this service, as it continually develops telecommuting packages for realizing safe and convenient remote-work environments.

Pricing

For 300 users, 180 hours per month of virtual machine operation, and concurrent connections for 70% of all users:

Initial fee : Free
Monthly Fees : JPY 1.5 million (JPY 5,000 per user)

(*)Fees vary according to a pay-as-you-go billing system that charges per virtual machine used.
(*)Users also need to buy a license for Windows Virtual Desktop and to pay connection fees for Azure ExpressRoute.

IIJ will continue to support the business efforts of its customers by providing high value-added cloud services.

About IIJ

Founded in 1992, IIJ is one of Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. IIJ's services include high-quality Internet connectivity services, systems integration, cloud computing services, security services and mobile services. Moreover, IIJ has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan that is connected to the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. IIJ was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2006.

For more information about IIJ, visit the IIJ Web site at https://www.iij.ad.jp/en/.

The statements within this release contain forward-looking statements about our future plans that involve risk and uncertainty. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results.

For inquiries, contact

IIJ Corporate Communications

+81-3-5205-6310
+81-3-5205-6377
press@iij.ad.jp

(*) All company names and service names used in this press release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.