Can I use GMW in a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (e.g. Citrix)?

While Oxford Economics does not officially support hosting the Global Model Workstation on a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure environment, our clients can use the “unbundled” installer to deploy the software.

The standard installation option for the Workstation will not work in a virtual desktop environment because it tends to locate data directly on the primary drive (e.g. in C:\OEF) and require that the user has to write permission on that directory. It also requires users to install each new forecast (e.g. once per month for the Global Economic Model). However, you may avoid this behaviour by following the steps below:

Download the Unbundled installation option by contacting your Account Manager. Locate the Global Model Workstation Components section within the Unbundled folder.
Install GMW.msi to your VDI machine image.
On the first launch of the Workstation, each user will be prompted to acquire a Model release, which contains forecast data. There are two options:
1. Automatically download and import the latest release (requires in-app log in).
  
  Manually select a Model release to import. This should be a Data-Only download option from our website.
Each user will then be prompted to select a working directory for their Model files. Model releases will be unpacked to this directory. The chosen location should be persisted between the user’s VDI sessions (e.g. in the User Profile).
The user can now use the Workstation as usual. They should repeat Step 3 each time a new Model release becomes available.