What is Virtual Desktop?
VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure), sometimes referred to as DaaS, is a cloud-based personal computer that can be accessed from any Internet connected device. Deploying VDI in the Enterprise has been a widely used practice for years as it enables more efficient management and control for the administrators. It also enables data protection and mobility for the users. Cloud computing and increased connectivity have allowed small and medium sized businesses to embrace digital workspaces.
The benefit for users is that they can now access their own personal workspace anywhere. There is no need for a VPN, employees just log onto an app or website and get a centralized control panel for their entire work environment. With improved access to tools and mobility, Cloud Desktop solutions are being more widely embraced as the way to deliver IT.
Expanding Your Workspace
Not all businesses may see the need for advanced tools such as a virtual workspace, but there are cases where cloud desktops/workspaces will help streamline IT operations and increase worker productivity. A business that has their employees running virtual desktops/workspaces will have several benefits that will help drive worker productivity:
1 - Mobility
Virtual Desktops can travel anywhere and all of the employee’s data, apps and personal setting come with him or her. For companies with remote workers, satellite offices, or people that bring work home; there’s no better way to connect. BYOD (Bring your own device) also applies – the employer can simply provide a terminal to connect in the office, and the employee can use whatever he or she wants to connect outside the office.
2 - Access to Everything
A Cloud Workspace gives you access to a Virtual Desktop and everything else you need from the office. The workspace app opens a centralized portal that provides you access to everything including Server Applications, SaaS Tools, and File/Folder Systems. Everything is accessed and controlled with a single sign-on. For additional security measures, dual factor security measure is also available.
3 - Collaboration
Virtualizing applications such as Office Docs (Word, Excel, etc.) allows multiple people to view, work, and collaborate. Teams of people can work together and define workflows on various versions of documents. This built in function replaces legacy tools such as Sharepoint and DropBox, and provides even more functionality.
Larger companies have traditionally invested into VDI Solutions in the past when the efficiency of orchestrating desktop services from the Cloud/Data Center delivered a return on the costly investments for software and hardware. This was normally done within large institutions such as the enterprise and educational institutions. Larger organizations could leverage these tools because they would have much larger budgets and higher skills sets to architect and run the back-end systems. Until recently, it has been way too large a project for the average business.
Today, service providers that offer Desktop as a Service (DaaS), have already made the investments into the infrastructure and staff so that they can deliver VDI solutions directly to businesses as a Service. The service provider cloud solution removes a huge investment barrier and makes it easy for businesses to take advantage of the technology.
Not only does VDI/Cloud Workspaces increase productivity, but they also enable business to effectively manage their IT Operations. Businesses can enjoy an all-encompassing solution for a modest monthly subscription (SaaS Model). A workspace focused VDI solution that is delivers as a Service includes the following valuable features:
- Portable/Mobile Workspace Environment
- Single Sign-on or Dual Factor for all apps
- Cloud Storage with File Sync and Share
- Dedicated Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
- Centralized Management/Monitoring
- Centralized Security
- Back-ups and Disaster Recovery
- Desktop OS Licensing
- Full Management/OS Security Patching
The management component is very valuable as it removes a lot of the tedious IT/desktop management practices that are required for traditional IT management. With DaaS/Workspaces implemented across our organization, desktop technicians may not be required. The goal is to focus everything on the Cloud, allowing employees to focus on their core responsibilities and not IT custodial work.
There are many use cases for DI/Workspace, each defined by specific business verticals. Businesses that have multiple applications that integrate with each other – like a CRM + Phone System can easily run them from a single virtual session. For example, a softphone running on the desktop can integrate with the CRM and employees can have this exact set up everywhere they go. Control over what applications can be access/used can also be specifically defined by management so they can keep their employees focused on their duties. For example, a call center might only give their employees access to the previously mentioned CRM + Phone.
Benefits of a Virtual Desktop
There are several ways of delivering virtual desktops, a lot will depend on your specific use cases and partner preferences. Regardless of what direction you go in, the following advantages will be found universally.
1 - Centralized Management from the Cloud
From an administrators’ perspective, running the desktop from the cloud or datacenter has great advantages. New users can be spun up in minutes without having to procure any new desktop hardware. The need for desktop support is also reduced significantly due to there being no desktops.
2 - Built in Security and Data Protection
Unified security policies can easily be administered, and everything is backed up from a server in a secure data center. The Virtual Desktop Admin council provides granular security measures that allow much more control over the environment. Policies such as single sign-on for everything (including SaaS) can be enforced. There are even additional functions that allow you to control users’ abilities within SaaS applications (no downloading and company identifying watermarks on the sites).
3 - Reduction in costs
We mentioned that the workloads to support desktops is greatly reduced, so staff can be centralized in at the sys admin level. When Desktops are delivered as a service (DaaS), they include desktop infrastructure, management/patching, security, Back-Ups, OS Licensing. Companies that embrace this can get everything for a low monthly fee.
4 - Flexibility
A pay as you go “as a service” model makes scaling the business easy to do from an operations and budgeting perspective. Customers who are using DaaS do not have to worry about buying new servers, PCs/Laptops and managing a data center; they simply increase their subscription. Since everything is included with a singly monthly cost, they know exactly what to expect with growth.
Virtual Desktop As a Service
Desktop-as-a-Service, along with other cloud-based services enables organizations to move their applications and backend servers into the cloud. This is valuable because they don’t want employees to worry about deploying and managing the same way they have been for the last 20 years. This is about transformation.
Cloud technology has greatly impacted the way companies handle server infrastructure, and now it is starting to deliver very strong use cases for the desktop and application users. As people move to transform their investments into a technology powered business, tools such as VDI or DaaS have the ability to make that a reality.
Transformational moves have one thing in common: embrace Cloud technology to make workers more efficient and manage operating costs at scale. Desktop as a Service/Cloud Workspaces is a perfect solution for companies that want to simplify their operation without significant investment. With the way that trends are moving, we expect this form of service delivery to eventually become the norm.