Hello @esnmb.
When answering your question “Using Persistent vs. ProfileUnity”, I first ask/answer the question Why use Stateless Desktops and a Shared Image Strategy vs. Persistent desktops? Then answer, why use ProfileUnity to extend VMware View Profile Manager / RTO. I separated out the questions so you can see the value Stateless provides by itself and how ProfileUnity supports this strategy so you can make the best decision on how to virtualize your desktops per your needs.
Why implement a stateless shared image non-persistent desktop via VMware View Composer vs. a persistent VM?
There are cases where a persistent VDI desktop is a must. However the question on why use a stateless desktop is usually centered around lowering initial cost, ongoing maintenance and delivering a consistent user experience. Using stateless virtual desktops you can more easily implement desktop DR as you said, avoid desktop malware/spyware/corruption, lower storage footprint, lower storage costs (enabling you to buy faster performing storage) and provide a consistent, reliable, secure user workspace / virtual desktop.
At the same time you should strongly consider leveraging VMware Thinapp when designing your stateless shared image strategy. With this method, you deploy the most basic image (example C:\Windows only image) and deliver departmental applications via Thinapp. Additionally, a shared image strategy using Thinapp avoids 1:1 image maintenance and can minimize user disruption when upgrading applications.
In your question you also asked why use ProfileUnity vs. Persistent VM’s?
ProfileUnity extends the VMware View profile manager / RTO and allows migration to View and between physical and virtual dekstops, Manages Thinapps across physical, virtual and terminal server sessions, manages user persona with a flexible context aware filter mechanism and at VMworld 2011 we will demo capturing and deploying User Installed Applications to View and physical desktops and terminal server sessions. You can easily turn ProfileUnity on or off in the View environment.
Here is a list of basics on how ProfileUnity migrates to and extends VMware View Profile Manager / RTO.
Migration
Thinapp Management
Persona Management
UIA - Showing demo at VMworld 2011
I hope this completely answers your question and if you have further questions on how Liquidware Labs ProfileUnity supports VMware View, please contact support@liquidwarelabs.com or visit, www.liquidwarelabs.com.
Message was edited by: davidbieneman (grammer)
Message was edited by: davidbieneman yikes! --> (grammar)