VMware has been around for many years so it’s no surprise how functional that software can be in many different scenarios.Recently I needed to setup several machines for a training class and there was a need to reinstall the base software the training was being conducted on and reconfigure the setup for the next day’s class.This became very time consuming to say the least and other options needed to be considered to improve this process.We use Acronis imaging software for system deployment so one thought was to build an image for each configuration and deploy the next day’s lesson over night.This option worked but not without its inherent issues.There was times when the imaging process would stop half way and then we would have a part of the class in the morning without a PC while the image was restored once again.Have this happen a few times and you will start looking for other options just as I did.

I was looking at VMware for a all together other purpose but I started considering the advantages of a virtual training machine and it didn’t take long before I was convinced that this is the only way to setup a PC for training lessons.I used the latest version of VMware workstation to build a unique VM image for each and every day of the class and then deployed the images to the training machines using VMware player in full screen so that from the students perception they have no idea that the class is being conducted from a virtual workstation.This was a very inexpensive and flexible solution that worked far better that I had anticipated.