VMware Horizon Trainings

VMware Horizon: VMware’s VDI / EUC solution

VMware Horizon is the VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) and EUC (End User Computing) solution from VMware, owned by Broadcom since the acquisition finalised in November 2023. The platform addresses virtual desktop needs for users: virtualised Windows or Linux desktops on a datacenter (Horizon 8), on Microsoft Azure cloud (Horizon Cloud on Azure), or in hybrid architecture combining on-premise and cloud. The goal is to deliver a secure and high-performance desktop from any terminal (laptop, tablet, thin client, smartphone, browser).

Horizon covers several use cases: replacing the physical desktop with a virtual desktop for nomadic or BYOD users, isolating sensitive desktops (research, finance, healthcare, defence), business continuity (desktop access from anywhere in case of disaster), seasonality management (call centres, training, ad-hoc projects). The main technical components include VMware Horizon Connection Server, Horizon Client, Horizon Agent, Instant Clones (rapid VM cloning), App Volumes (application management), Dynamic Environment Manager (user personalisation), Unified Access Gateway (secure external access), and vSphere integration for the underlying hypervisor. Horizon competes directly with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop / Windows 365, Nutanix Frame.

ITTA’s position on VMware Horizon

ITTA does not currently offer a dedicated VMware Horizon course in the EN catalogue. Specific VMware Horizon offering is mainly carried by partner Broadcom training centres and by VMware integrators specialised in EUC. For profiles interested in VMware and virtualisation in general, ITTA offers a VMware catalogue structured around the server and datacenter virtualisation domain.

Our VMware offer fits into the root VMware catalogue, with a main focus on VMware vSphere which is the reference hypervisor and the technical foundation on which Horizon relies. For EUC profiles seeking a virtual desktop course, the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) publisher is a catalogue alternative covering the competing VDI / EUC segment. The virtualisation sub-domain regroups all virtualisation courses.

VMware Horizon profiles in French-speaking Switzerland

The EUC / virtual desktop administrator

Profile managing a Horizon or Citrix CVAD platform: creating and managing base images, user profiles, virtualised applications, user troubleshooting. Requires mastery of the chosen solution and a hypervisor foundation (vSphere or Hyper-V). Our VMware vSphere and Citrix CVAD catalogue provide the foundation.

The VDI architect

Senior profile designing VDI architecture: sizing, choice between Horizon, Citrix, AVD/Windows 365, cloud or on-premise infrastructure, security. Requires strategic vision and understanding of economic models. The VMware vSphere, Citrix and virtualisation catalogue forms a solid foundation.

The infrastructure engineer supporting a Horizon fleet

Profile maintaining the VMware datacenter (vSphere, vSAN, NSX, vCenter) on which Horizon is deployed. Mastery of vSphere is key. Our VMware vSphere catalogue is central.

The EUC consultant supporting clients

Profile intervening on VDI projects: tool choice, deployment, migration. Requires multi-vendor vision. Complementary VMware and Citrix training.

VDI / EUC trends in 2026

Several trends shape the VDI / EUC topic in 2026. The VMware acquisition by Broadcom in November 2023 has profoundly modified the VMware market: offering restructuring (progressive move to VMware Cloud Foundation as integrated suite), tariff revision, EUC repositioning (the EUC activity including Horizon was sold to KKR in July 2024, giving birth to Omnissa). Horizon is now marketed under the Omnissa brand, which modifies the landscape and product positioning. On the competition side, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 progress strongly as cloud-native alternatives, particularly with Microsoft-first organisations. Citrix DaaS gains ground as a unified SaaS cloud solution. DaaS (Desktop as a Service) tends to replace traditional on-premise models for many organisations. AI in the virtual desktop (Microsoft Copilot, Citrix Intelligent Workspace) modifies user experience.

VMware Horizon FAQ

Does VMware Horizon still exist after the Broadcom acquisition?

The VMware EUC activity (including Horizon) was sold to KKR in July 2024 and now operates under the Omnissa brand. The product continues to live and evolve, but the publisher context has changed. Existing customers can generally maintain their deployment, in coordination with Omnissa and Broadcom for the underlying vSphere dimension.

Does ITTA offer a Horizon course?

Not currently in the EN catalogue. For Horizon specifically, Omnissa or partner centre training is better sized. Our pedagogical team can nonetheless study custom in-house requests with external EUC specialists.

Horizon or Citrix CVAD: which choice?

The choice depends on context. Citrix CVAD remains the historical VDI leader, with strong presence in organisations historised on Citrix. Horizon (Omnissa) is very present at historical VMware customers. AVD/Windows 365 progress as Microsoft-first cloud alternatives. The choice is made according to the installed base, vendor preferences and organisational cloud roadmap. Our Citrix CVAD catalogue covers the Citrix alternative.

Do you need to know vSphere to understand Horizon?

Yes, largely. Horizon technically relies on vSphere (hypervisor) and very often vSAN (storage). A VMware vSphere foundation is very useful to understand the underlying architecture, troubleshoot and size. Our VMware vSphere catalogue provides this foundation.

VMware and virtualisation catalogue at ITTA

For profiles interested in VMware and EUC virtualisation, here are the key resources:

• VMware catalogue
• VMware vSphere catalogue
• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) catalogue
• Citrix catalogue
• Virtualisation sub-domain
• Systems and networks sub-domain

Building a VDI path at ITTA

For a profile wanting to enter the VDI/EUC world, a typical path can be: virtualisation foundation (virtualisation sub-domain) and VMware vSphere to understand the hypervisor, then Citrix CVAD specialisation if the employer is Citrix-first, or Omnissa external resources if the employer is Horizon-first. For profiles wanting a Microsoft cloud approach, add Microsoft 365 + Azure Virtual Desktop / Windows 365. Our pedagogical advisors help sequence the path according to profile and target employer.

Sessions and support at ITTA

VMware vSphere and Citrix CVAD sessions take place in Geneva and Lausanne in person, and in interactive virtual classroom with a live trainer. For organisations seeking VDI upskilling, we organise custom in-house sessions with content adapted to the technology choice (Horizon/Omnissa, Citrix CVAD, AVD/Windows 365). This modality is particularly suited to banks, hospitals, administrations and international organisations steering a virtual desktop project.

Why consult ITTA on VDI and virtualisation

ITTA offers a structured virtualisation and VDI catalogue covering VMware vSphere, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, and a complete virtualisation sub-domain. This continuity is valuable for profiles steering a virtual desktop project and wanting a multi-vendor vision. Our virtualisation trainers are consultants and integrators active on VDI projects in French-speaking Switzerland, able to share concrete cases and orient toward the right Horizon / Citrix partners depending on context. Sessions in Geneva, Lausanne and interactive virtual classroom, in-house and inter-company.

Transverse VDI and virtual desktop profiles

Several transverse profiles benefit from exploring the VDI topic beyond just Horizon or Citrix administrators. The cloud architect (AWS, Azure, GCP) gains from understanding DaaS alternatives (Windows 365, AVD, Citrix DaaS) for remote users. The security manager integrates the Zero Trust dimension and isolation by virtual desktop into their strategy. The CIO steers the VDI budget, which represents a significant item for large organisations. The adoption manager supports users on transition to a virtual desktop. The network engineer sizes WAN links and external access (Unified Access Gateway, Citrix Gateway). The compliance auditor verifies isolation of corporate data in the virtual desktop. Our VMware vSphere, Citrix CVAD and virtualisation catalogue provides a relevant foundation for these transverse profiles, with a useful multi-vendor vision in a recomposing market (Broadcom acquisition, Omnissa spin-off).