Over the past few years, there have been a great number of technology innovations which help businesses improve the way they operate.
One of the most important of these, is Azure Virtual Desktop. With an increasing number of companies adopting it every year, this technology has changed the business landscape in the hybrid and remote-working era. In this blog, we’ll outline the reasons behind this trend and some of the key benefits.
What is Azure Virtual Desktop?
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a virtual desktop solution powered by Microsoft’s powerful Azure platform.
Instead of being installed onto a computer’s operating system, a virtualised desktop exists as a standalone virtual space that can be accessed through any machine.
Traditionally known as virtual machines, these kinds of desktops have existed for a long time, with remote desktop tools existing natively within Windows since 2001’s Windows XP.
However, cloud computing technologies have changed how virtual machines function in the modern world. Instead of being connected to another desktop or an on-prem server, cloud innovations have enabled virtual desktops to exist entirely online.
This has significant benefits for businesses and is the main reason that Azure Virtual Desktop is becoming so popular. As more businesses look towards the cloud, Azure’s powerful and reliable platform puts them a cut above the other cloud-based services.
Azure Virtual Desktop Benefits
Enable Secure Remote and Hybrid Work
As the world becomes increasingly remote, secure and flexible remote working has become a key part of the modern workplace.
Azure Virtual Desktop allows remote workers to access their systems from anywhere with a high standard of security, meaning that they can work from home with ease and peace of mind from a security standpoint.
Over the pandemic, food distribution company Harvest Sherwood invested in Azure Virtual Desktop to move its infrastructure to a completely remote system. According to Harvest Sherwood, when they integrated Azure Virtual Desktop with a managed service provider, they were “up and running in days”, which “allowed [them] to keep [their] employees safe and [their] food deliveries moving.”
Decrease Overall Expenditure
One of the major benefits of Azure Virtual desktop being cloud-based is that it removes the need for on-premises infrastructure. Having an on-prem system can be incredibly costly, as server hardware and energy costs can be expensive.
Furthermore, running an on-prem server for virtual machines means that you have to upgrade the hardware to match the industry standards or risk falling behind. This can get really expensive, whereas a cloud service will upgrade its hardware to match the industry standard without costing an extra penny for your business.
Another great thing about the cloud is that ultimately, your server infrastructure doesn’t need maintenance staff. Instead, all of the hardware maintenance is done by the cloud provider. This can significantly reduce costs in IT hiring and allow for spending in other areas.
Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) when making the move over can also save costs, as an MSP will help you set up and administer your virtual solution for a fraction of the cost. Overall, this will significantly reduce your IT spending and means that you’ll have access to an expert IT team to handle any issues — meaning that you can focus on the more important things in your business.
Strengthen Cybersecurity Posture
Cloud-based solutions are great for giving your company a much better cybersecurity strategy than the archaic on-prem solution, as it’s significantly harder to intercept or corrupt data on a virtual cloud server.
In fact, Azure is packed with some of the best security features on the market to help your data stay safe. Microsoft Defender protects your system from hackers and malware, and Azure Active Directory improves login security.
With these features, Azure Virtual Desktop is by far the safest option for your virtual desktop system.
Scale Easily
As stated previously, upgrading your on-prem infrastructure can be expensive. However, even just scaling your systems to accommodate business growth needs can become quite inefficient, costly, and time-consuming.
Whenever your infrastructure needs expanding to help support a larger network, time and money will have to be spent on scaling up your infrastructure. This can both be tedious and cause downtime, which can ultimately lead to lower business efficiency and waste your company’s resources.
Scaling a cloud-based system, on the other hand, is incredibly simple. Azure Virtual Desktop allows you to easily scale both the power and size of your system, for a fraction of the overall cost.
Furthermore, partnering with an MSP for your cloud-based infrastructure makes this process even easier. Instead of having to hire personnel and allocate resources to oversee that the scaling process is done properly, an MSP’s expert team can handle everything for you.
Get started with Azure Virtual Desktop!
Ensuring that you don’t fall behind the competition is key for any business, and investing in a cloud-based infrastructure is crucial to ensuring your business can stay a cut above the rest in the long term. Azure Virtual Desktop’s security, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness make it a top choice for any business looking to take a step into the virtual future.
Not sure if it’s right for you? We are currently offering an AVD workshop to provide you with a greater understanding of the features of AVD and how it could benefit your organisation. Simply contact managedit@oneadvanced.com today to get started.