In my previous article you’ve read about my aversion against the term VDI. The introduction of Citrix XenDesktop 7 showed us that delivery of applications and desktops from shared and private computers are now integrated in one product. This requires us to explain the difference between shared versus private instead of XenApp versus XenDesktop, so now really is the time to start using new (and proper) terminology.
In the previous virtual desktop word bingo article I’ve asked you if you think we should abandon the term VDI, 61% agreed while 26% disagreed. The response showed that a lot of readers agree the term VDI is “incorrect” but replacing the term will be tough. Nonetheless I strongly believe we, as the community / experts, should strive to replace “VDI” with more future ready terminology.
XenDesktop 7
Although you might expect Citrix would come up with proper naming (as they tend to rename products / features quite frequently) the feature matrix (link) shows a mix of vague terminology. What I do like is that they’ve introduced a XenDesktop App edition which entitles you to host applications on a shared (server OS) and private (desktop OS) computer!
See the table below for a more generic “solution focused” term.
| FEATURE | SOLUTION |
| Application Virtualization and Hosting (RDS) | Hosted Shared Application |
| VM Hosted Apps | Hosted Private Application |
| App-V delivery for offline apps | Containerized Application |
| Hosted Shared Desktops (RDS) | Hosted Shared Desktop |
| Local – Type 1 client hypervisor | Local Private Desktop |
| Pooled / dedicated VDI Desktop | Hosted Private Desktop |
| Physical Desktop (blades, racked workstations) | Local Private Desktop |
| Remote PC access to office-based PCs | Local Private Desktop |
HSCI and HPCI
In the previous article I suggested to use the terms Hosted Shared Computer Infrastructure (HSCI) and Hosted Private Computer Infrastructure (HPCI). 49% of the voters agreed on replacing the terms SBC / VDI with HPCI / HPSI while 43% disagreed, so we agree to disagree. I admit the abbreviations HSCI and HPCI aren’t as sexy as VDI, a three letter abbreviation might be simpler.
Gunnar Berger (@gunnarwb) informed me that Gartner still uses the SBC term where I suggested HSCI and Server Hosted Virtual Desktops (SHVD) where I suggest Hosted Private Computer Infrastructure (HPCI) to replace VDI. 
I like the fact that Gartner (the company that inflict us with hypes like “cloud” in their hype cycle) are not using VDI!
Gunnar continued telling me that at a Synergy presentation he explained the audience he considers a SHVD a virtual desktop and SBC a session. This got me frowning, so an application/desktop on a private computer is not a session? I don’t see the logic in here.
He ended by saying that application virtualization are not “virtual applications” but containerized applications.
I like that! It prevents the misused “virtual” word and makes sense IMHO.
VDI and SBC are out, in with the new terms
While the purpose of the previous article was to convince you the the VDI is utterly wrong, badly chosen, misplaced and just plain stupid (just kidding, but you get the point), with this article I want to take the next step: agree on a new term.
To reach global adoption of the new term we should collaborately agree on, use and advocate the new term. In order to agree on a new term I’ve added a number of polls below. In case you miss a word or have any other suggestions just leave a comment.
This is where the real word bingo begins!
For each position choose the terms that describe the solution best. Whatever get the most votes, will be the new term to describe SBC / VDI. So….
“Speak up now or forever hold your peace”
Examples
If you answer B-A-C-A the term “hosted shared computer infrastructure (HSCI)” is used to replace SBC and “hosted private computer infrastructure (HPCI)” for VDI.
If you answer A-A-A-C the term “remote shared computer (RSC) ” is used to replace SBC and ”remote private computer (RPC)” for VDI
Polls
[poll id=”5″] [poll id=”6″] [poll id=”7″] [poll id=”8″]
Nederlands 
English
Nice work – keep fighting the fight. However I think your/our effort would be better placed agreeing new terms for the “desktops” of the future, i.e. cloud delivered desktops/DaaS/Mobile desktops (we don’t even have an acronym yet for using a mobile device as a desktop) etc. I agree with you when you say the SBC and VDI terms are out, but only in terms of this next evolution of the desktop. They are too entrenched to change them now mid life cycle, without any major change in the technology or delivery methods. I.e. XenDesktop 7 whilst great has not introduced the next step in this evolution, but rather just the next version of a product that does similar things as the last one just much better.
We need to avoid the SBC/VDI terminology soup we are experiencing now and you are discussing here and in your previous article, but not today, in the future, in an effort to prevent the confusion from repeating itself.
Exactly the principles you mention are still applicable however – you are just ahead of the game.