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Netelligent (News - Alert), a cloud and managed services provider, announced a collaborative project with desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) provider Desktone to offer a cloud-based virtual desktop product. The new virtual desktop platform combines DaaS, Cisco’s (News - Alert) Unified Computing System and cloud-based storage from NetApp.

Users of Netelligent’s new virtual desktop solution will run Windows 7 via Desktone’s DaaS platform. It provides secure access to a user’s desktop environment from any Internet-enabled smartphone, laptop, desktop or tablet.

Aaron Stone, CEO of Netelligent, said, "Because Desktone's mission from day one was to provide a platform for DaaS from the cloud, we are able to pass on the efficiencies created by cloud computing but still can offer a full-featured Windows 7 desktop experience."

Desktone utilizes a multi-tenant cloud architecture, which helps lower overall costs. Peter McKay, CEO of Desktone, added, "DaaS is making it easier and more affordable than ever for enterprises to realize the benefits of VDI.”

According to Desktone officials, its Desktone Platform allows enterprises to seamlessly realize the full potential and benefits associated with virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments such as reduced deployment complexity; improved management, security and compliance; and superior end-user productivity — without forking over huge sums for capital expenditures.

NetApp storage helps reduce overall latency and improve efficiency by utilizing FashCache and clustering for faster image loading in the cloud desktop environment.

Cisco’s UCS also plays an important role in the new Netelligent virtual desktop offering. Phil Sherburne, vice president of engineering at Cisco, said recently "By combining Cisco's expertise in cloud and virtualization environments with Desktone's multi-tenant virtual desktop platform, we make it easy for service providers to deliver Desktop Virtualization as a Service to end user customers on their journey to the future Workspace."