Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Streamlining migration of virtual desktop infrastructure to AWS (EUC207)

Summary

Kevin Goodman, director of product management at EUC, introduces the session on how Lucid Motors streamlined their migration to AWS using WorkSpaces Core.
WorkSpaces Core is a set of APIs on top of Amazon WorkSpaces, allowing on-premises VDI to communicate with AWS without changing clients or gateways.
Anandakrishnan from Lucid Motors shares their challenge of migrating remote users to a controlled environment to protect intellectual property, achieving this with minimal upfront cost and time.
Lucid Motors leveraged VMware Horizon running on AWS, using WorkSpaces APIs in a hybrid architecture, deploying 900 instances in less than 40 days.
They faced challenges such as sizing VPCs correctly, user profiling for instance types, and data protection strategies.
Lucid Motors achieved their migration three months ahead of schedule, optimizing third-party licenses and leveraging existing AWS and VMware skills.
Gigi Berenger, a senior product manager, dives into the benefits of WorkSpaces Core, including easy deployment, scaling, optimized spending, and AWS's global infrastructure.
The session also touches on the upcoming integration with Citrix and the ability to bring M365 licenses to Amazon WorkSpaces and WorkSpaces Core.
The talk concludes with a Q&A session, discussing the architecture and integration process, and highlighting the importance of meeting customer needs wherever they are in their cloud journey.

WorkSpaces Core is designed to provide a seamless migration experience for users, preserving the on-premises experience and minimizing user disruption.
Lucid Motors' use case demonstrates the speed and efficiency of cloud migration when leveraging AWS services, highlighting the importance of protecting intellectual property and controlling costs.
The hybrid architecture approach allows for flexibility in deployment, catering to different user needs and geographical locations.
The session emphasizes the importance of proper planning and consideration of challenges such as VPC sizing, user profiling, and data protection.
AWS's commitment to customer choice is evident through the integration with various VDI providers and the flexibility offered by WorkSpaces Core.
The ability to bring M365 licenses to AWS services is a significant benefit for customers, potentially reducing the total cost of ownership.
AWS's global infrastructure and the managed API of WorkSpaces Core contribute to the ease of deployment and scaling, as well as optimized spending for customers.
The upcoming integration with Citrix and the focus on customer feedback and needs suggest AWS's dedication to expanding its services and partnerships to accommodate a wider range of customer requirements.