Desktop virtualization is widely viewed as the Next Big Thing in the virtualization market, but it’s by no means an easy nut to crack. That’s because the challenges of getting virtualization working on the desktop side are far greater than they are on the server, where ROI is seen as low hanging fruit.

Desktop virtualization is also a broad market that includes pre-planning and assessment tools, thin clients, thick clients, zero clients and VDI. Following are 15 vendors from the CRN Virtualization 100 that are grabbing the attention of solution providers in this red hot segment.

Addison, Texas

Rival of Citrix in server-based computing, offers low-cost option for companies migrating to new server virtualization technology or tying different technologies together, connecting to VDI or terminal services. Partners with Microsoft, Red Hat, Novell.

Mountain View, Calif.

Atlantis ILIO is a software virtual appliance that complements VMware and Citrix virtual desktop deployments. Atlantis says ILIO cuts VDI capex by up to 75 percent by using up to 20 times less storage. In addition to driving down the cost of a virtual desktop to below that of a physical PC, ILIO is also intended to deliver a better user experience, according to Atlantis.

Austin, Texas

Founded in 1997, early entrant to thin-client computing and desktop virtualization. Offers zero clients, thin clients, servers, blades and VDI. Spun off software business as VDIWorks in 2008 to ensure hardware, software would be vendor-agnostic.

Chelmsford, Mass.

Platform enables virtual desktop infrastructure to be delivered as cloud-based subscription service. Charges $30 a month for a Windows 7 Enterprise virtual desktop; benefits include fast provisioning, lower capex and more efficient management.

Closter, N.J.

Developer of software that lets thin computing devices act as Windows Terminal Services or VDI virtual desktops. Positions its PowerTerm portfolio as an alternative to Citrix. Also compatible with Hyper-V, VMware, Xen, Oracle, Red Hat, Enomaly.

Cupertino, Calif.

Acquired by Citrix Systems in May. Claims VDI-In-A-Box cuts 60 percent of VDI infrastructure costs; can deploy virtual desktops at less than $500 each, including server, storage and software licenses. Promises fast virtual desktop performance using inexpensive local direct-attached storage.

Redwood City, Calif.

Bills itself as “the only virtual desktop solution that allows your corporate world to run on a Mac.” Divides desktop stack into so-called Virtual Layers, which allows for central desktop management while letting users customize experience in other layers.

Redwood City, Calif.

Sells Office in a Box, a desktop virtualization bundle that includes software, licenses, hardware and peripherals. Sells a similar product to educational market. Pretests everything to ensure interoperability; works with partners to add elements like NAS.

Menlo Park, Calif.

“Zero client” product contains no CPU, memory, OS, drivers, software or moving parts and connects over LAN to Windows XP or Windows 7 desktop virtual machines. Pano Direct Protocol “fools” virtual machine into treating the device as local.

Mountain View, Calif.

vDesk VDI product provides centrally managed virtual desktops on top of VDI offerings from Citrix, VMware. Each user gets own vDesk workspace, a lightweight container that includes user or departmental-installed applications.

Burnaby, B.C.

Developer of PC-over-IP protocol, which compresses, encrypts, encodes PC functionality at the data center and transmits it across standard IP networks to stateless PCoIP-enabled desktop devices. Partners with VMware, which uses it in View product.

Marlborough, Mass.

Tackles managing heterogeneous VDI environments and supports fully personalized desktops. Helps cut complexity and cost from managing enterprise-scale desktop operations. Extends reach of VMware View, Citrix XenDesktop and others.

Austin, Texas

Virtual Desktop Platform combines VDI connection brokering, virtual machine management, monitoring and physical management. VDIworks console works with VMs, hypervisors, physical servers in Active Directory environments.

Austin, Texas

VERDE virtual desktop management and provisioning solution encompasses VDI, offline VDI and remote branch solutions. Cuts TCO and boosts hardware utilization with fewer servers, cheaper NAS storage and no external WAN dependency.

San Jose, Calif.

Maker of thin clients and software designed for virtual desktop infrastructures. PocketCloud enables access to a PC, Remote Desktop Services, Terminal Server, VMware View and other virtual machines from an Apple iPhone or iPad or Android device.