As a good number of you know we will be hosting a Desktop Transformation Model workshop at the Hilton Universal City on May 2nd.  In preparation for this workshop we hosted a DTM Teaser session during the LA Q1 Tech Exchange event held at the Sheraton Universal City on March 1st, 2012.  This session offered some material to be reviewed prior to the DTM to better inform attendees as to the topics of discussion.  You can download the PPT from this session to further review this information here.

For those of you attending the May 2nd DTM, or for those of you finding this page via search, I have included some links below to CTX articles that offer additional information to the material we will cover during the day.  I have broken these articles out by section.  This is by no means a definitive list, so if you have suggestion for items to be included please pass those along.  We look forward to seeing you at the event.

XenServer

• XenServer 6 Admin Guide, CTX130420
• Introduction to Storage Technologies, CTX118397
• XenServer Installation Guide, CTX130421
• XenServer Licensing FAQ, CTX125301
• XenServer Performance Monitoring for Scalability Testing, CTX124157
• Configure XenServer WLB Settings Using XE Commands, CTX125186
• XenServer WLB Admin Guide, CTX127330
• XenServer 5.6 Multi-GPU Passthrough for XenDesktop HDX 3D Pro Graphics, CTX125574
• XenServer Virtual Machine Backup, CTX122191

Provisioning Server

• Provisioning Server 6.0 Admin Guide
• Provisioning Server HA Considerations, CTX119286
• Best Practices for Citrix XenDesktop with Provisioning Server, CTX119849
• Provisioning Services FAQ, CTX125744
• Provisioning Services 5.6 Best Practices. CTX127549
• Citrix Blog: PvS 6.0 From Single Image Delivery to Single Image Management

Application Streaming

• How to Use the App-V Integration Kit to Publish App-V Applications on XenApp, CTX126423
• Citrix Application Streaming Guide for XenApp 5, CTX116414

Antivirus Configuration

• Antivirus Configuration for XenApp, CTX114522
• Citrix Guidelines for Antivirus Software Configuration, CTX127030
• Provisioning Service Antivirus Best Practices, CTX124185
• Required Antivirus Software Configuration for the EdgeSight Agent, CTX111062
• Required Antivirus Software for the EdgeSight Server, CTX114906
• Microsoft AV Scanning Recommendations
• Symantec Endpoint Protection Terminal Server and Citrix Best Practices
• Citrix Blog:  Protection From Anti-Virus by Daniel Feller
• Citrix Blog:  Virus Alert by Daniel Feller

XenDesktop/XenApp

• XenDesktop Hypervisor Citrix Product Support, CTX131239
• XenDesktop PoC Checklist, CTX125473
• Performance Assessment and Bandwidth Analysis for Delivering XenDesktop to Branch Offices, CTX124457
• High Availability for Desktop Virtualization – Implementation Guide, CTX123245
• Complete List of Citrix Support Troubleshooting Tools, CTX126294
• Desktop Virtualization Top 10 Mistakes, CTX126190
• Optimizations for Windows XP for XenDesktop, CTX124239
• Optimizations for Windows 7 for XenDesktop, CTX127050
• XenDesktop with Access Gateway, CTX127595
• XenDesktop USB Citrix Tested Device List, CTX123569
• How to Enable Logging Process in XenDesktop, CTX117452
• EdgeSight for XenDesktop Best Practices, CTX124851
• Citrix EdgeSight for XenApp Licensing, CTX126059

The next round of Citrix Tech Exchange events for Los Angeles and Irvine have been scheduled.  An additional Tech Exchange Workshop focused on networking solutions has been added for the LA area.  The focus for these workshop events is to guide users through the critical configuration items required to successfully deliver a virtual application/desktop solution for business.  These workshop events are staffed by Citrix engineers who will show you how to plan your desktop virtualization project using the Desktop Transformation Accelerator Toolkit.

For the many of you who have been attending the Citrix User Group/Tech Exchange sessions over these past three years, you know there are a range of options to consider when crafting a Citrix application delivery environment for your business.  These many options are core to the business value of Citrix XenDesktop.  Is XenApp a better platform for application delivery?  Or do I choose Windows 7?  What are the considerations for high availability?  How do I accommodate consumerization in the enterprise and allow users to work with whatever device the choose?  Is local storage an option?  What are the considerations for SAN storage and performance as it relates to end user experience?  While we work in a world of 1′s and 0′s, there are many nuances to consider as you leverage cost, the experience level of staff, and business need to architect a solution that is right for the business.  These workshops offer an opportunity for an open discussion of these considerations with fellow customers, as well as Citrix Engineers working to achieve these goals every day.

For those of you looking to do some prep work prior to the event (I am a big promoter of RTFM), take a look at the links I have included in the DTM Teaser session that was offered at the March 1st LA Tech Exchange.  You can find this information here.  Also, you will need a MyCitrix account to use the Desktop Transformation Accelerator Toolkit.

The dates and times for the coming events are listed below.  As always we look forward to seeing you and hearing your feedback at the event.   Seats are limited, sign up early for best results!

Citrix Technology Exchange: Consolidation without Compromise – Los Angeles

04/24/2012 (Tuesday) 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM PDT

Description: Discover how to consolidate your network services with no loss of performance, isolation or functionality.

Register: http://www.registerandcompute.com/citrix/eventinfo/event_details.asp?effortID=101900004&specialAccess=LACitrix

DTM Tech Exchange Workshop – Los Angeles

05/02/2012 (Wednesday) 8:45 AM – 2:00 PM PST

Description: Need to transform your company with desktop virtualization?

Register: http://www.registerandcompute.com/citrix/eventinfo/event_details.asp?effortID=102210004&specialAccess=LACitrix

DTM Tech Exchange Workshop – Irvine

05/01/2012 (Tuesday) 8:45 AM – 2:00 PM PDT

Description: Need to transform your company with desktop virtualization?

Register: http://www.registerandcompute.com/citrix/eventinfo/event_details.asp?effortID=102180004&specialAccess=LACitrix

Citrix Newsletter – Tech Exchange Content and Synergy Discounts #constantcontact http://t.co/9QHnEaNI

Unfortunately the training session originally scheduled for April 16th – 20th has been cancelled at this time.  Classes will be taking place in Chicago July 16th – 20th, and New York Sept 17 – 21st.  If you have questions regarding these training sessions please follow up with Shawn via his website, which can be found here.  We are sorry to have missed the opportunity to have these sessions in LA, perhaps some feedback can turn this opportunity our way once again.

Brian Madden Keynote LA Tech Exchange Q1 2012

We want to thank all of you who took time this past week to attend the LA Tech Exchange at the Sheraton Universal City here in Los Angeles.  We had over 300 participants, 24 technical breakout sessions, keynotes by Motorola CTO for Enterprise Mobility Mamoun Abu-Samaha, and Independent Industry Analyst Brian Madden.

A special thank you to the 22 Citrix Ready partners for sponsoring this latest LA Tech Exchange event.

Of these 22 partners recognition of our Platinum Sponsors, RES Software, and eGInnovations for sponsoring the Brian Madden keynote.

Also recognition of our Gold Synergy Sponsors, Appsense, Wyse, and WhipTail for sponsoring three Citrix Synergy San Francisco 2012 full access passes which were raffled off at the event.

You can find pictures from the event here.

Changes are Coming!  Desktop Transformation Model Workshops

As many of you know the Citrix LA Sales team has been supporting Citrix User Groups/Tech Exchange activity for the past three years on a quarterly basis.  For 2012 Citrix User Groups/Tech Exchange events for Q2 and Q3 will be replaced by Citrix Desktop Transformation Model Workshops.

At these DTM Workshops Citrix experts will show you how to plan your desktop virtualization project using the Desktop Transformation Model – a field proven, industry-endorsed approach to ease the transition from distributed to virtual computing.  We will have three sessions here in SoCal March 13th – 15th.  Links for these events are below.

If you intend on attending one of these events, review the DTM Teaser presentation below.  I have included links in the presentation for material to review prior to the event, which will better inform your participation.  Seats are limited, so act fast to reserve your access to the event.

March 13th, San Diego, Courtyard Marriott, 530 Broadway St., San Diego CA 92101

March 14th, Los Angeles, Courtyard Marriott, 15433 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks CA 91403

March 15th, Irvine, Microsoft Offices, 3 Park Plaza, Suite 1600, Irvine CA 92614

Attendee Discount for Citrix Training and Synergy San Francisco 2012 Passes

All attendees of the Citrix Tech Exchange, and participants in the DTM Workshops receive a 15% discount on the purchase of Citrix Training Vouchers, with no limit on the amount of purchase.  As well, these same attendees receive a $500 discount on the purchase of Citrix Synergy San Francsico 2012.  Please contact Nathaniel Chadbourne with any question on these items.

LA Tech Exchange Q1 2012 Presentations

Without a doubt, this was the best round of technical breakouts we have offered at our events here in LA.  Please feel free to download and review the presentations below.  One or two of the presentations had some info that was offered prior to release to public, I will be updating these presentations over the next few days as these items are released to the public.

Again, we thank all of you who attended the event.  Without your support this event is just not possible.  See you at the end of 2012 with our next installment.

Citrix Breakout Sessions

AppDNA Application Design and Adoption for VDI Strategies

Aventura Healthcare Tap-N-Go

Cloud Gateway Enterprise

Cloud Gateway Express

Cisco VXI and Citrix XenDesktop, Better Together!

Citrix DTM Teaser

Netscaler SQL Load Balancing Scale Out – Scale Up Synergies

Netscaler SDX (virtualizing up to 40 F5 devices to a single Netscaler SDX)

Personal vDisk (Formerly RingCube)

Citrix Project Phaser, No Printer Drivers Req’d for XD/XA Deployments!

Citrix ShareFile, Securing the World from Dropbox with Follow Me Data!

VDI in a Box (Formerly Kaviza)

XD 5000 Seat Architecture

Citrix Solutions Lab XD 5000 Seat Reference Architecture

Cloud.com

Vendor Breakout Sessions

eGInnovations: Platinum Sponsor

Akamai

Appsense

LakeSide Software

Whiptail

Wyse

With this recent announcement, Cisco to Resell Citrix XenDesktop to Deliver Virtual Workspaces Anywhere on Any Device we are pleased to offer a breakout session focused on Citrix XenDesktop and Cisco VXI.  Please find the Speaker Bio and Breakout Summary below.  We look forward to seeing you at the event.

Register for the LA Q1 2012 Tech Exchange

Bhumik Patel

Bhumik Patel is a Cisco Engagement Architect and is responsible for delivering technical best practices and joint solutions on  Citrix XenDesktop and Cisco VXI desktop virtualization solutions for customers and partners. He has been a Citrix employee since 2007 and is based out of Santa Clara, CA. Bhumik has worked as a Citrix Consultant and led consulting projects for various enterprise Citrix customers around the globe. Bhumik has led initiatives for developing best practices while integrating Citrix and partner solutions.’ http://blogs.citrix.com/author/bhumikp/

Technical Deep Dive: Cisco VXI with Citrix XenDesktop

Technical insight in to how Cisco’s end-to-end VXI (Virtualization Infrastructure Experience) fits with Citrix XenDesktop. Cisco’s VXI solution includes data center computing platflorm, virtualization aware networks and collaboration and thin clients – together allowing delivering media rich virtual desktops possible using XenDesktop. Learn technical details and how the solution integrates with XenDesktop.

It was announced at Synergy Barcelona that Citrix had acquired App-DNA (we have subsequently removed the hyphen) to enhance our ability to support application migrations from the Windows XP into the Citrix Flexcast delivery model.  The value of AppDNA is the ability to assess application (.msi and .exe) compatibility across the range of options available for migration strategies today.  In the days of yore (24 months ago no one owned an iPad), businesses relied on the manual testing of applications to support migration to new platforms.  With AppDNA this process of application analysis/testing is automated, reducing time to value with regard to platform migrations, empowering business to respond more effectively to the consumer driven realities of the network today.

We are excited to host AppDNA during LA 2012 Q1 Tech Exchange.  Below you will find the session summary and bios for the two breakouts AppDNA will offer during the event.

Register for the LA Q1 2012 Tech Exchange

Accelerate Application Migration and Simplify Application Management

Citrix AppDNA application migration software enables enterprises to confidently discover, model, automate, and manage applications for faster application migration, easier application virtualization and streamlined application management. Combing insight about applications with highly accurate application testing and remediation, AppDNA software uncovers the knowledge needed to guide business decisions about application compatibility, migration, management and long-term application portfolio evolution.  AppDNA takes application intelligence and management to a new level.

How AppDNA, Through Application Modeling, Can Speed Adoption of VDI Strategies

AppDNA provides application intelligence to help architect your organization’s best fit solution and execute on it.  AppDNA can model “what-if” scenarios using your application portfolio prior to any technology implementation or testing.  Combining insight about applications with highly accurate application testing and remediation, AppDNA software uncovers the knowledge needed to guide business decisions about application compatibility, migration, management and long-term application portfolio evolution.

Sumit Patel

Samit Patel is a Sr. Director of Global Sales Engineering at Citrix.  Prior to the acquisition, he acted as App-DNA Vice-President of Global Technology & Solutions, driving the technical development of the AppTitude product and technical guidance to the growing customer base. He works with the enterprises that use AppTitude for application compatibility initiatives around Windows 7, Microsoft App-V, Citrix XenApp and Windows Server 2008. He aligns with partners like Microsoft and Citrix, as well as worldwide system integrators to help customers achieve the user-centric flexible workstyles. Joining from Acresso Software, where he was Product Manager for AdminStudio and Workflow Manager, Samit has a broad application management background working with Fortune 500 and mid-size companies. He has spoken at a variety of local and worldwide events, including Microsoft MMS and TechEd, Citrix iForum and is featured in App-DNA videos, podcasts and the App-DNA technical blog. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, has earned certification from Pragmatic Marketing, and is involved in both the University of Illinois Alumni Association and the Always Illinois engineering alumni association.

Eric Serno

Eric Serno, Senior Sales Engineer, joined Citrix Systems last year with the AppDNA acquisition.  Eric has had extensive experience with global organizations; implementing application migration initiatives, virtualization projects, and designing worldwide packaging centers. He has consulted with Fortune 500 and mid-size companies to plan strategic workflow strategies for their current application management challenges as well as future plans around OS migration and application virtualization.  He has spoken at domestic and international conferences, user groups and in webinars on topics including desktop management, application readiness, desktop migrations, application virtualization preparation and Windows Installer (MSI) best practices as well as license management and compliance. He holds a BS in Management Information Systems from the University of Illinois.