IBM today announced the Virtual Desktop for Smart Business, a new workforce mobility offering that access to personal desktops from mobile devices -- including tablets, netbooks, laptops and thin clients. The IBM Virtual Desktop allows Windows or Linux desktops to be hosted and managed centrally, thus lowering the cost and complexity of managing PC environments through rapid deployment of new applications, automatic software updates and reducing the need for help desk requests. The Virtual Desktop for Smart Business, which includes VERDE software from Virtual Bridges, can be deployed on a customer's own infrastructure or through a Business Partner "private cloud" hosted environment.

The IBM Virtual Desktop has self-configuring, self-managing and self-protecting features that enable easy installation and management, plus continuous backup and recovery. Whether visiting clients, checking inventory or making patient rounds at a hospital, the solution provides instant access to information, helping employees solve problems and speed decision-making.

The solution is offered as a pre-integrated, ready-to-run software package priced at $150 per user per year for a one year contract. IBM Virtual Desktop will be delivered through IBM Business Partners who will provide local consulting, networking and software infrastructure skills to ensure smooth installation.

IBM Virtual Desktop for Smart Business is available today in North America, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Poland. IBM plans to make the offering available in China, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand at the end of Q1.