List of the Top Virtualization Software in 2025 - Page 3

Nomadesk provides a comprehensive file sharing and synchronization platform designed for professionals to securely manage their files, whether they are connected to the internet or working offline. By utilizing encrypted virtual hard drives called "Vaults," users can safely store their documents while enjoying features like automatic version retention and a cloud-based recycle bin, with data centers strategically located in Brussels and Frankfurt. This cutting-edge solution ensures that files are accessible from various devices, including smartphones and tablets, and includes an encrypted cache that offers remote wipe capabilities for added security. Collaborating with team members is straightforward, as users can invite colleagues to their Vaults and leverage the Nomadesk widget to effortlessly publish content on their websites, in addition to sharing file links conveniently through an Outlook plugin. The seamless integration with Office 365 enables real-time viewing, editing, and collaboration on Office files from any device, which enhances productivity and streamlines workflows. For businesses seeking a flexible and efficient solution for file sharing and synchronization without the complexities of operational hurdles, Nomadesk stands out as a strategic choice, paving the way for sustainable recurring revenue. With such a range of features, organizations can foster collaboration and maintain high security levels, ultimately making Nomadesk an exceptional option for the demands of contemporary workspaces while promoting a culture of innovation.

Systancia Workplace, formerly known as AppliDis Fusion, stands out as a state-of-the-art virtualization solution that facilitates access to various applications and desktops by leveraging advanced security measures, load balancing, ergonomic design, and Machine Learning innovations, thereby optimizing the experience for both users and administrators alike. Its intuitive administration console, integrated print management system, and the ability to manage multi-version MS Windows Server application server farms are complemented by the proactive support provided by the developer. Moreover, adopting this platform results in notable cost reductions for organizations. With Systancia Workplace BoxOnAir, users can maximize productivity while adhering to stringent security protocols. In addition, the Systancia Workplace Cloud Extender effectively merges the advantages of cloud flexibility with the capabilities of local data centers, ensuring smooth application integration. This all-encompassing strategy for virtualization empowers organizations to efficiently address their varied operational requirements and adapt to evolving business landscapes. Ultimately, Systancia Workplace not only enhances productivity but also positions businesses for future growth and success.

Adaptive Data Virtualization™ technology allows organizations to run their existing applications on modern cloud data warehouses with minimal changes or configuration. By utilizing Datometry Hyper-Q™, companies can quickly adopt new cloud databases, effectively control ongoing operational expenses, and improve their analytical capabilities, thereby hastening their digital transformation initiatives. This virtualization software from Datometry enables any legacy application to operate on any cloud database, promoting seamless interoperability between applications and various databases. As a result, businesses can choose their desired cloud database without the risk of dismantling, rewriting, or replacing their current applications. Moreover, it guarantees runtime compatibility for applications by emulating and transforming the functionalities of traditional data warehouses. This innovative solution can be easily implemented across major cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, and GCP. Furthermore, applications can utilize existing JDBC, ODBC, and native connectors without needing modifications, ensuring a seamless transition to cloud environments. It also facilitates connections with prominent cloud data warehouses, including Azure Synapse Analytics, AWS Redshift, and Google BigQuery, which enhances opportunities for data integration and comprehensive analysis. With these capabilities, organizations are better positioned to leverage cloud technologies and drive business innovation.

Comprehensive Mocking and Service Virtualization are now available to everyone involved in the delivery pipeline. By virtualizing various protocols such as REST and SOAP APIs, TCP, JDBC, and others, the processes of development and testing can be accelerated considerably! The virtualization of key APIs and microservices is essential for reducing dependencies and alleviating delays throughout the delivery pipeline. ServiceV enables the virtualization of numerous protocols, including HTTP, REST, SOAP, JMS, and JDBC. Users are empowered to begin creating dynamic, virtualized APIs, databases, and user interfaces without requiring extensive technical knowledge or programming abilities for their development or implementation. You can swiftly import specifications like OAS, WSDL, or other API definitions, or even capture live traffic from APIs or user interfaces to launch your project. Testing and developing around edge cases, error conditions, and complex scenarios has become remarkably straightforward, often just a matter of a few clicks. With ServiceV Pro, you can customize the response logic for each endpoint, manipulate network latency, and control server capacity, ensuring you maintain oversight of performance and functionality. This degree of customization not only enhances your testing environment but also guarantees that it simulates real-world conditions closely, resulting in more dependable outcomes. Ultimately, such flexibility in testing leads to better software quality and more robust applications.

Virtualization Software for AI Infrastructure. Improve the oversight and administration of AI operations to maximize GPU efficiency. Run:AI has introduced the first dedicated virtualization layer tailored for deep learning training models. By separating workloads from the physical hardware, Run:AI creates a unified resource pool that can be dynamically allocated as necessary, ensuring that precious GPU resources are utilized to their fullest potential. This methodology supports effective management of expensive GPU resources. With Run:AI’s sophisticated scheduling framework, IT departments can manage, prioritize, and coordinate computational resources in alignment with data science initiatives and overall business goals. Enhanced capabilities for monitoring, job queuing, and automatic task preemption based on priority levels equip IT with extensive control over GPU resource utilization. In addition, by establishing a flexible ‘virtual resource pool,’ IT leaders can obtain a comprehensive understanding of their entire infrastructure’s capacity and usage, regardless of whether it is on-premises or in the cloud. Such insights facilitate more strategic decision-making and foster improved operational efficiency. Ultimately, this broad visibility not only drives productivity but also strengthens resource management practices within organizations.

Safeguard and enhance your essential Kubernetes applications with Fairwinds Insights, a tool designed for validating Kubernetes configurations. This software continuously oversees your Kubernetes containers and provides actionable recommendations for improvement. By leveraging trusted open-source tools, seamless toolchain integrations, and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) knowledge gained from numerous successful Kubernetes implementations, it addresses the challenges posed by the need to harmonize rapid engineering cycles with the swift demands of security. The complexities that arise from this balancing act can result in disorganized Kubernetes configurations and heightened risks. Additionally, modifying CPU or memory allocations may consume valuable engineering resources, potentially leading to over-provisioning in both data centers and cloud environments. While conventional monitoring solutions do play a role, they often fall short of delivering the comprehensive insights required to pinpoint and avert alterations that could jeopardize Kubernetes workloads, emphasizing the need for specialized tools like Fairwinds Insights. Ultimately, utilizing such advanced tools not only optimizes performance but also enhances the overall security posture of your Kubernetes environment.

HiveIO stands out as the leading-edge platform for virtualization in the realm of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). It singularly offers a comprehensive solution that seamlessly integrates all necessary components into a unified product. This innovative approach ensures that users experience unparalleled efficiency and performance.

Enhancing digital workspaces involves the strategic and secure deployment of virtual desktops and applications, whether they are managed on-premises or in the cloud. Horizon 8 emerges as a cutting-edge solution designed to deliver secure virtual desktops and applications effectively within a hybrid cloud framework, backed by a prominent name in software-defined data centers and digital workspaces. By leveraging unique integration with trustworthy technologies, Horizon 8 enables IT teams to swiftly deploy and scale virtual desktops and applications from a centralized control plane, featuring rapid provisioning, automation, and efficient management, thus ensuring an outstanding digital workspace experience for end-users. Administrators have the ability to manage desktops and applications seamlessly across private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments through a cloud-based console and SaaS management tools. Furthermore, the built-in security features of the Horizon infrastructure provide highly secure remote access to organizational resources, delivering robust protection that spans from endpoints to the data center and extends into the cloud. This comprehensive approach allows organizations to confidently pursue digital transformation while prioritizing security and enhancing user satisfaction. Ultimately, the integration of such powerful solutions sets the stage for a more productive and secure working environment.

VMware Workstation Pro is widely acknowledged as the premier solution for managing numerous virtual machines (VMs) on a single device operating on either Linux or Windows. It serves as a primary resource for IT experts, developers, and organizations engaged in the development, testing, or presentation of software across different devices, platforms, and cloud settings. Users can efficiently run several operating systems concurrently on their Windows or Linux machines with VMware Workstation Pro. This software facilitates the creation of realistic VMs for various environments, including Linux, Windows, and other desktop, server, and tablet systems, all while providing customizable virtual networking capabilities and the option to simulate diverse network scenarios. Consequently, it proves to be exceptionally useful for a multitude of tasks such as code development, architectural design, application testing, and showcasing products. Additionally, users can establish secure connections to vSphere, ESXi, or other Workstation servers, enabling effective management and oversight of both VMs and physical machines. The unified VMware hypervisor not only boosts productivity but also eases the process of transferring VMs between local PCs, making it an invaluable asset for professionals. Furthermore, VMware Workstation Pro is essential for anyone who needs to navigate and operate within complex virtualized environments, thereby reinforcing its significance in modern IT practices.

The VMware Enterprise Licensing Agreement (ELA) simplifies the process of managing software assets for VMware, ensuring that you get the most out of your investments. Even the most proficient IT departments often face difficulties when it comes to acquiring, deploying, and managing thousands of VMware assets, while the intricate nature of negotiations and renewals adds an extra layer of complexity. Without a solid understanding of VMware's licensing offerings, terms, and conditions, organizations risk overspending and may struggle to maintain compliance. A VMware ELA alleviates these challenges by streamlining licensing processes and reducing expenses, providing extensive coverage with three-year terms that allow IT teams to prioritize strategic initiatives instead of getting caught up in licensing hurdles. Collaborating with Softchoice ensures that your organization maximizes its ELA benefits. Improving your software asset management practices is crucial to fully utilizing your VMware resources, making enterprise software agreements a more cost-effective option for acquiring the technologies that propel your business forward. In the long run, a well-organized SAM strategy can lead to noticeable enhancements in both operational efficiency and overall cost savings, ultimately fostering a more agile and responsive IT environment. By focusing on these strategic improvements, organizations can better navigate the complexities of their software landscape.

Sphere 3D’s Glassware 2.0 platform prioritizes ease of use, flexibility, and scalability, effectively eliminating the complex procedures associated with the creation, execution, and management of application hosting environments, which in turn offers secure and scalable server-based computing benefits to all users. By decoupling applications from their underlying operating systems, Glassware 2.0 significantly prolongs the lifespan of applications. It is capable of virtualizing Microsoft Windows applications in various formats, including 16, 32, and 64-bit, and delivers them with high performance to an array of end-user devices such as Chromebooks, Windows 10 computers, iPads, thin clients, and numerous tablets. Utilizing a container-based approach for server application virtualization, Glassware 2.0 incorporates a remote presentation feature that ensures seamless application delivery to various end-user devices. Unlike traditional hypervisor-based systems, Glassware 2.0 guarantees that the host operating system for the application is not installed on the server, which simplifies the overall process. This groundbreaking method not only streamlines deployment but also significantly improves user experience across different platforms, making it a versatile solution for modern computing needs. Consequently, organizations can adopt this technology to enhance productivity and efficiency in their operations.

MidoNet stands as a powerful network virtualization platform, licensed under Apache, tailored specifically for Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) environments. By effectively decoupling the IaaS cloud from its underlying network hardware, MidoNet introduces a sophisticated software abstraction layer that facilitates seamless connectivity between end hosts and the physical network. This cutting-edge layer enables cloud operators to evolve traditional hardware-based network appliances into a versatile, software-driven multi-tenant framework. Furthermore, MidoNet enriches OpenStack by delivering production-ready distributed overlay networking capabilities. The primary benefits of using MidoNet include a streamlined physical network design, enhanced availability across all servers and services, scalable architecture, reduced protocol reliance, optimized network traffic with minimal overhead, and improved fault tolerance, all of which drive greater efficiency in cloud operations. Ultimately, MidoNet marks a noteworthy leap forward in the development of cloud networking solutions, showcasing its potential to reshape the industry landscape. This progressive approach not only benefits cloud service providers but also enhances user experiences across diverse applications.

KVM, or Kernel-based Virtual Machine, is a robust virtualization platform designed for Linux systems that run on x86 hardware with virtualization support, such as Intel VT or AMD-V. It consists of a loadable kernel module named kvm.ko, which forms the core of the virtualization framework, and a processor-specific module, either kvm-intel.ko or kvm-amd.ko, tailored for Intel or AMD processors respectively. With KVM, users can create and manage multiple virtual machines that can execute unmodified operating systems like Linux or Windows. Each of these virtual machines is equipped with its own allocated virtual hardware, which includes components such as network interface cards, storage devices, and graphics adapters. As an open-source initiative, KVM has been part of the mainline Linux kernel since version 2.6.20, and its userspace has been integrated into the QEMU project since version 1.3, facilitating broader adoption and compatibility across various virtualization tasks. This seamless integration allows for a diverse range of applications and services to leverage KVM’s capabilities effectively. Additionally, the continuous development of KVM ensures that it keeps pace with advancements in virtualization technology.

The Kubermatic Kubernetes Platform (KKP) accelerates the digital transformation journey for businesses by optimizing their cloud operations, no matter where they are located. With KKP, both operations and DevOps teams can effortlessly manage virtual machines and containerized workloads across a variety of environments, such as hybrid-cloud, multi-cloud, and edge setups, all via an intuitive self-service portal tailored for developers and operations alike. As an open-source solution, KKP enables the automation of numerous Kubernetes clusters across different contexts, guaranteeing exceptional density and robustness. This platform allows organizations to create and maintain a multi-cloud self-service Kubernetes environment with a quick time to market, which greatly boosts overall efficiency. Notably, developers and operations teams can launch clusters in less than three minutes on any infrastructure, driving swift innovation. Centralized management of workloads is available through a single dashboard, ensuring a coherent experience whether deployed in the cloud, on-premises, or at the edge. Moreover, KKP enhances the scalability of your cloud-native architecture while upholding enterprise-level governance, which is crucial for maintaining compliance and security throughout the entire infrastructure. This capability not only supports organizations in navigating the complexities of modern cloud environments but also reinforces their ability to stay agile and in control amidst the rapid changes of today's digital world.

Enhance the security of your workloads, simplify compliance with regulations, and uphold data sovereignty through IBM Cloud Secure Virtualization. A dependable cloud infrastructure must tackle essential issues surrounding corporate governance, security, and compliance. Businesses are eager to create an environment where management, workload efficiency, and data accessibility are confined to designated geographic areas, all while ensuring thorough auditing capabilities are in place. During the initial configuration, it is crucial to identify the firmware settings that are permissible alongside the approved hypervisor settings. It is also important to meticulously document each physical host along with its corresponding location, producing a snapshot or fingerprint of the launch configuration for every trusted host. This collection of information is organized into an allowlist. When the BIOS and hypervisor measurements of a host correspond with those documented in the allowlist, the boot environment is validated. As a result, the host is launched in a secure and trusted state, preserving the integrity of the cloud environment throughout its lifecycle. By adhering to these established procedures, organizations can confidently oversee their cloud resources while satisfying rigorous security requirements, ultimately fostering a more resilient and compliant operational framework.

IBM® Rational® Test Virtualization Server software enables consistent and timely testing during the development lifecycle. By creating virtual versions of specific parts or the entire application or database, it removes reliance on physical resources, allowing testing teams to commence their evaluations without delay. This strategy not only reduces the costs linked to establishing and maintaining intricate application environments but also enhances agility and predictability by facilitating continuous integration testing at earlier stages of development. The seamless integration with IBM Collaborative Lifecycle Management fosters improved collaboration in testing efforts. Key features of virtualization include data-driven and correlated response sequences, along with advanced stateful database emulation. A centralized repository for these virtualized environments permits the reuse, deployment, and modification of configurations to investigate a range of testing scenarios. Additionally, IBM Rational Test Virtualization Server integrates all the capabilities of IBM Rational Performance Test Server, which aids in the effective validation of application performance. With such extensive functionalities, organizations can confidently ensure their applications undergo thorough testing and optimization prior to deployment, ultimately leading to higher quality software releases. This commitment to rigorous testing practices significantly contributes to overall project success.

eyeOS offers a unique virtual web desktop that enables users to operate both Windows and Linux applications directly via a browser, effectively merging SaaS and local web services. This innovative solution facilitates the virtualization of client-server applications without the need for complex installations on personal computers. Additionally, it provides centralized management for user workspaces, which can significantly extend the life of older systems and legacy business software. By integrating cloud file management with virtual applications, eyeOS creates a holistic virtual web desktop experience that is easy to use. Accessible directly through a browser, it brings together all essential applications into a single platform for users' work needs. Inspired by the architecture of major cloud services, eyeOS is crafted to be flexible, efficient, and resource-conscious, ensuring high availability while consuming minimal resources. As businesses continue to adapt, the outdated client-server model is increasingly being replaced by web-based applications that run on public cloud platforms or directly from company data centers, thereby improving workflows and making access easier for users. This shift not only modernizes the approach to business applications but also enhances collaboration and productivity across teams.

Enhance the efficiency of self-service provisioning and refreshing of enterprise workloads by effectively integrating with your existing toolchain. Equip data scientists with superior data delivery options and the opportunity for reuse through a comprehensive array of APIs and automation features. Guarantee the capability to access any data across various cloud environments at any time, all while maintaining scalability that outperforms conventional solutions. Mitigate the risk of business interruptions stemming from ransomware or cyber threats by facilitating swift recovery through the use of immutable backups. Present a unified platform that boosts the protection, security, retention, governance, and recovery of your data, regardless of whether it resides on-premises or within the cloud. Actifio’s groundbreaking software platform converts data silos into streamlined data pipelines, improving both access and utilization. The Virtual Data Pipeline (VDP) offers extensive data management across on-premises, hybrid, or multi-cloud frameworks, delivering strong application integration, SLA-driven orchestration, flexible data movement, along with enhanced immutability and security features. This comprehensive strategy empowers organizations to refine their data approach, ensuring resilience against a range of data-related threats while adapting to evolving business needs. By adopting such a holistic solution, companies can not only safeguard their information but also unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Our cutting-edge virtual networking approach incorporates various software components designed to streamline, direct, and boost application data flow, significantly enhancing network security, reliability, and efficiency across multiple devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The Dispersive™ Virtual Networks stand out as a patented, military-grade overlay solution leveraging multi-path software-defined networking techniques. This method consists of integrated software elements collaborating to optimize traffic management, which in turn elevates security, reliability, and performance for all connected gadgets, such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and IoT devices. At the point of authentication, data streams are segmented and annotated with a Dispersive™ Virtual Network (DVN) header, guiding traffic through various network routes as dictated by the Dispersive™ Virtual Network (DVN) Controller, which can function across multiple physical circuits. Through this sophisticated architecture, the Dispersive™ Virtual Network (DVN) not only ensures dependable packet delivery but also significantly improves the user experience by enhancing service quality. This innovative framework ultimately provides a fluid and secure networking environment tailored to meet the evolving demands of contemporary digital ecosystems, making it an essential solution for modern connectivity challenges.

Dizzion's Managed Desktop as a Service (DaaS) provides an all-encompassing solution that guarantees exceptional performance, strong security, and worldwide delivery via AnyCloud, making remote work or work-from-home arrangements seamless. This service ensures complete safety for cloud desktops through managed compliance, multi-layered enterprise security, and robust platforms. The End-User Cloud Platform leverages AnyCloud's global delivery capabilities, flexible infrastructure, effortless integration, and COSMOS orchestration and analytics features. By opting for Dizzion’s comprehensive DaaS, clients enjoy superior services complemented by outstanding support from industry experts. Our committed team collaborates closely with clients to swiftly onboard skilled agents capable of serving customers from any location, whether in their homes or other settings. Tailored particularly for contact centers, Dizzion’s Managed Desktop as a Service enhances the performance of applications like Five9 while ensuring that even the most regulated environments can maintain uninterrupted business operations. This makes it an excellent option for organizations that prioritize reliable and efficient remote work solutions, ultimately empowering them to adapt to ever-evolving work demands.

Kubernetes-as-a-Service delivers a streamlined experience across various environments, including multi-cloud, on-premises, and edge configurations. It merges the ease of public cloud options with the adaptability of self-managed setups, all supported by a team of fully Certified Kubernetes Administrators. This service effectively tackles the issue of talent shortages while guaranteeing a solid 99.9% uptime, along with automatic upgrades and scaling features, made possible through expert oversight. By choosing this solution, you can fortify your cloud-native journey with ready-made integrations for edge computing, multi-cloud scenarios, and data centers, enhanced by auto-provisioning capabilities. The deployment of Kubernetes clusters is completed in just minutes, aided by a vast selection of pre-built cloud-native services and infrastructure plugins. Furthermore, you benefit from the expertise of Cloud Architects who assist with design, onboarding, and integration tasks. PMK operates as a SaaS managed service that effortlessly weaves into your existing infrastructure, allowing for the rapid creation of Kubernetes clusters. Each cluster comes pre-loaded with monitoring and log aggregation features, ensuring smooth compatibility with all your current tools, enabling you to focus exclusively on application development and innovation. This method not only streamlines operations but also significantly boosts overall productivity and agility in your development workflows, making it an invaluable asset for modern businesses. Ultimately, the integration of such a service can lead to accelerated time-to-market for applications and improved resource management.

Cut your infrastructure costs by one-third, reduce data center upgrades by a whopping 75%, and recover 30% of your engineering hours with improved resource management techniques. As applications grow more complex, they often place a heavy burden on teams striving to adapt to fluctuating demands. When application performance dips, teams frequently react too slowly, tackling issues at a pace that doesn't match the urgency required. To avoid service disruptions, businesses may end up overprovisioning resources, resulting in costly miscalculations that do not achieve the intended outcomes. The IBM® Turbonomic® Application Resource Management (ARM) platform alleviates this unpredictability, providing substantial savings in both time and costs. By automating critical actions in real-time with no need for human intervention, it maximizes the effective use of computing, storage, and network resources for your applications throughout all levels of the technology stack. This forward-thinking method empowers teams to prioritize innovation instead of merely managing maintenance tasks, ultimately fostering a more productive environment. Embracing such solutions not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives greater organizational agility.

Nfusion provides a virtual desktop solution that empowers you to manage your digital attribution with precision, granting you comprehensive oversight of both the technical and behavioral dimensions of your online persona. This innovative service integrates digital fingerprint masking with advanced data collection capabilities, along with support for numerous third-party applications. By engaging with Nfusion, you can access a secure remote virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) through a VPN, allowing you to surf the internet from one of our unique points of presence, which gives you the option to select your virtual location. At the end of each session, your virtual machine is automatically refreshed, removing any traces of malware or tracking software. You also have the option to personalize your workspace by incorporating various third-party applications, including Maltego, i2 Analyst Notebook, Wickr, Telegram, and other messaging platforms, which further enhance your investigative skills while maintaining privacy and security. Ultimately, Nfusion simplifies your online activities while effectively protecting your digital identity and ensuring that your operations remain discreet. With this level of control and customization, users can confidently navigate the digital landscape without compromising their security.

Cavisson NetOcean functions as a sophisticated back-end application simulator that reduces dependence on actual back-end applications and outside systems, thus enabling faster evaluations of quality and performance while accelerating the time-to-market for products. Leading Fortune 500 companies rely on Cavisson NetOcean to maintain their focus on the systems under evaluation, lower overall costs related to application testing, and hasten the release of their software solutions. By capturing and mimicking the behaviors and performance characteristics of genuine production environments, NetOcean delivers critical insights to development and testing teams, ensuring that these features are integrated into the testing setup. The platform also allows for customization in the responses of the simulated services and the establishment of constraints or error conditions, thereby improving the precision and dependability of tests. This customizable approach empowers teams to thoroughly prepare for various scenarios that they may face in practical operations, ultimately enhancing their readiness and resilience in the face of potential challenges. The ability to simulate different conditions not only broadens the scope of testing but also contributes to overall software quality assurance.

Envision a workspace inhabited by people who all depend on computers; buying these devices can be both expensive and cumbersome, particularly when issues crop up, turning them into sources of annoyance and additional costs. A smarter alternative is to optimize your configuration, saving time, money, and energy in the process. By investing in a server and deploying vSpace Pro Enterprise Edition, you can eliminate the need for numerous individual computers and host virtual desktops, typically located in a separate, quieter area. Each user is provided with a keyboard, mouse, and monitor that connect to an NComputing access device like the RX300. Connecting to your network via LAN or Wi-Fi allows each individual to access their own virtual computer that runs the latest Windows versions. The most advantageous aspect is that user data is securely stored on the server, simplifying the backup process. Additionally, with applications and operating systems centralized, you can oversee just one server instead of countless devices, significantly easing your IT management responsibilities. Not only does this method improve efficiency, but it also creates a more streamlined and organized working environment for everyone involved. This innovative approach to IT management empowers teams to focus on their core tasks without the distraction of technical difficulties.