Are cloud computing and virtual desktops the same thing? They aren’t, but it’s understandable to mix up two technologies that feel as though they live somewhere in the ether, reached only by an internet connection.
Basically, you can’t have a virtual desktop without the cloud. Virtual desktops are hosted on the cloud — an IT environment that shares many resources across a network and is accessible from almost anywhere.
A virtual desktop infrastructure is a preconfigured image of operating systems and applications in which the desktop environment is not stored on the physical device the user is working from, but rather, accessed from the cloud. Users reach their virtual desktops remotely over a network on a laptop, phone or tablet.
Let’s dig deeper into virtual desktops and how your business can benefit by implementing this vital modern technology.
Virtual Desktops for a Remote & Hybrid Working World
The pandemic changed everything, creating a seismic shift in the way we work. Many people are currently working from home or in hybrid home/office arrangements — which is now an expectation for many job applicants in industries where this is possible. This “new normal” makes virtual desktops and the use of the cloud essential.
For businesses looking to boost their support of hybrid or remote workforces, it’s beneficial that a virtual desktop is scalable. It provides the ability to turn up or down the amount of computing power and storage for a wide number of users at once. For example, rather than loading all your company laptops with the complete Microsoft suite of applications before they leave the building, the tech giant’s Azure Virtual Desktop delivers the virtual desktop experience and necessary remote apps to any device through the internet.
And while we recommend using company-mandated devices packed with top security features to protect your data, a virtual desktop allows some flexibility here. Some businesses have “bring your own device (BYOD)” policies, where employees access work information from devices they already own. That’s made possible thanks to the cloud and a virtual desktop.
Key Benefits of a Virtual Desktop
Lower Costs
Any business employing an IT team (whether onsite or through a partner such as Elevity) benefits from not needing to maintain on-premises infrastructure, as well as more reliable performance and easy rollouts of new features and applications. Plus, many virtual desktops and remote application services are available at affordable monthly or yearly subscription prices.
Access Anywhere
A virtual desktop gives your employees the ability to work remotely and finish projects at their convenience. Instead of investing in expensive desktop workstations, a virtual desktop based in the cloud means your employees only need a laptop or tablet and the right credentials. Granting your employees mobility to securely and productively work from anywhere with internet access gives your business a competitive edge.
Security
Hackers are coming up with more inventive ways to compromise companies’ data. A virtual desktop means all data is stored on the virtual desktop and lives on a server or in the cloud, not at the endpoint itself. This dramatically reduces the threat associated with lost or stolen devices.
More Power
For users requiring graphic-intensive applications, many virtual desktops (including Azure Virtual Desktop) now support a GPU-accelerated desktop access for high performance and scalability. GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit, a specialized processor originally designed to accelerate graphics rendering. This support gives your remote teams more computing power, secure connectivity and access to your apps.
In fact, since the computing power comes from the cloud servers where the virtual desktop is hosted, your power is almost unlimited.
Further Reading: Top 5 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure FAQs for Business
Is Virtual Desktop Technology Right for You?
Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, deploying a virtual desktop environment simplifies your remote work situation by offering a convenient, flexible answer. If easy access, mobility, lower costs, better security and more power sound like an ideal Technology Management solution for your business, we encourage you to get started today.
For our money, the best virtual desktop is Microsoft Azure. This solution provides virtual desktops to users that have the applications they need either pre-installed or provided as needed.
With Azure Virtual Desktop, or AVD, the infrastructure and management components of a traditional on-premises virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) disappear into the cloud. What’s more, AVD users have the security and resources of an industry titan behind them.
We’d love to have a conversation about what you need for your business. But first, feel free to get acquainted with AVD and the basics of virtual desktops. Click the link below to access our informative guide, Advancements in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Technology.
