Virtualization has transitioned into a mainstream technology in today's datacenters and is widely used to increase hardware utilization as well as lower server operational costs in the datacenter. On the server side, virtualized infrastructures are proving to be a direct on-ramp into cloud computing, and cloud computing starts with a private cloud for most large organizations. In addition, IDC is closely tracking and forecasting the dramatic acceleration of client virtualization deployment and the emerging workspace-as-a-service market. IDC believes this market is poised for an explosion over the next few years, driven in part by consumerization of IT and the continued explosion of the mobile device market. Cloud and Virtualization System Software explores both the server-to-cloud transition and the market for delivery and management of virtualized desktop and virtualized server resources.

• Server virtualization
• Cloud system software (private/public cloud–enabling software)
• Operating system virtualization
• Virtualized client computing
• High-availability software
• Desktop virtualization
• Workspace as a service
• Application virtualization
• Networking virtualization
• I/O virtualization
• User session virtualization
• Infrastructure and platform clouds

• Worldwide Virtual Machine Software (VMS) Forecast
• Worldwide Server Virtualization Ecosystem Forecast
• Worldwide Clustering and Availability Software (CLAS) Forecast
• Worldwide Application Virtualization Software Forecast
• Worldwide User Session Virtualization Software Forecast
• Worldwide Workspace-as-a-Service Forecast

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.

1. Who are the movers and shakers in server virtualization, and how are they empowering customers to adopt cloud computing?
2. What virtualization functions are moving in the firmware, hardware, software, and management layers, and what impact will those changes have on virtualization?
3. What are the tie-in points between virtualization and cloud computing, and how can virtualization users prepare for cloud?
4. What is the market size and five-year forecast for virtualization software vendor revenue, both client and server?
5. What are the use cases for client virtualization, and how are those use cases impacting revenue and market growth?
6. How is the consumerization of IT and the bring your own PC (BYOPC) trend, in conjunction with smartphones and new mobile devices such as iPads, changing the landscape and opportunities for client virtualization?

IDC's Cloud and Virtualization System Software analyzes the strategies, market positions, and future directions of major vendors in the cloud and virtualization software market, including Amazon, AMD, Cisco, Citrix, ClearCube, Dell, Egenera, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Parallels, Quest, Red Hat, Symantec/VERITAS, Terremark, TripWire, Vizioncore, VKernel, VMware, Wyse, and Xsigo. In addition, it looks at open source technologies including OpenStack, CloudStack, Eucalyptus, and similar products.

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