IDC's Virtual Client Computing research program focuses on the structure of the virtual client computing (VCC) market, a mature market containing some of IDC's largest clients that was recently significantly disrupted by the pandemic. The software allows for the virtualization of applications and desktops to provide secured computing functionality regardless of endpoint or location. The pandemic caused a rapid acceleration of cloud-provided VCC, also called desktop as a service (DaaS), along with constraints in professional services.
The program provides guidance to endpoint device manufacturers, end users, software providers, public cloud providers, and financial analysts regarding the drivers of the market disruptions, their long-term impacts, and related changes in IT operations, finance, end-user devices, and hybrid work initiatives. The submarket of desktop as a service and the emerging cloud PC category are also addressed.