Virtual Bridges, Inc. announced this week a global distribution agreement with Avnet Technology Solutions Americas, a business region of Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and operating group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT). The agreement provides for Avnet Technology Solutions to distribute Virtual Bridges’ virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution, VERDE VDI Gen 2, worldwide to Avnet’s community of value added reseller (VAR) partners in the U.S. and Canada.

Available immediately to U.S. and Canadian resellers through Avnet Technology Solutions, Virtual Bridges VERDE VDI Gen 2 offers a cost effective approach to provisioning, managing, updating and securing PC environments as well as its broad coverage of both Linux and Windows desktops. VERDE costs approximately 50 percent less than competitive solutions and can scale from one to hundreds of thousands of desktops to meet the needs of any organization.

While first generation VDI solutions were often repurposed server virtualization solutions, VDI Gen 2 is purpose-built for the desktop and offers a new approach that is modular, scalable and decentralized. VERDE combines online, offline and remote branch VDI solutions to deliver a high quality user experience—anytime, anywhere. It’s designed for organizations that want to escape the constraints of physical computing, simplify desktop management, improve security and increase business agility.

"Virtual desktop infrastructure is exploding and our resellers are looking to us to help them capitalize on it. VDI Gen 2 is a growing market and this new relationship with Virtual Bridges will provide Avnet resellers—and ultimately their end customers—with another choice for virtual desktops," said Larry Fulop, vice president and general manager, Supplier Sales Acceleration, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "Virtual Bridges VERDE offers VDI that performs well because its flexible approach is an excellent fit for organizations of all sizes, and its ability to support online, offline and branch workers ensures a high quality end-user experience regardless of location."

The proliferation of iPads and other innovative mobile devices has only furthered the demand for VDI Gen 2. VERDE makes adopting new devices easy, providing end users access to both Windows and Linux desktops from any location or device—including tablets, netbooks, laptops and thin clients. Additionally, by moving desktops into the data center and isolating user access based on needs, VERDE eliminates many of the challenges associated with securing highly distributed PC environments.

"Demand for VDI Gen 2 has never been greater creating an incredible opportunity for resellers who can solve these strategic challenges for customers," said Jim Curtin, president and CEO at Virtual Bridges. "A leader in the global IT solutions distribution marketplace, Avnet Technology Solutions is establishing a new precedent, acknowledging the advancements in second generation VDI solutions and placing an emphasis on those that are purpose-built for the desktop. Together we can show the true power of VDI, driving real results for both partners and customers."

The latest release of Virtual Bridges VERDE features a cache I/O storage optimizer that removes CAPEX hurdles long associated with VDI, and integrated endpoint management that delivers on the promise of desktop management infrastructure solutions.

"Between new devices, new applications and flexible work scenarios, managing the desktop space has become one of the top concerns for IT, with VDI Gen 2 emerging as the answer," said Tom Francese, executive vice president for Virtual Bridges. "Avnet Technology Solutions has incredible reach and will be a great partner. Together we can give resellers everything they need to close VDI deals and move VERDE out to the masses."