Is Azure Virtual Desktop the Solution for You?

What is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Azure Virtual Desktop is a cloud-based virtual desktop service that allows users to access a secure and virtualised version of their desktop from any device with an internet connection, complete with all the applications and files they need to work, from anywhere and on any device. This can be achieved in both a single user & multiuser environment depending on requirement.

Azure Virtual Desktop leverages the power of Microsoft’s Azure public cloud platform. It utilizes Azure’s extensive network of over 200 secure and energy-efficient data centres located in more than 60 regions worldwide to deliver high availability and low latency services to users. This ensures that users have seamless access to their virtual desktops and applications, regardless of their location.

The Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure is built on top of Azure’s multi-layered security model, which includes physical, network, and host-level security measures to ensure that users’ data is always protected. In addition, Azure’s global network provides high-speed connectivity between datacentres and users, ensuring that virtual desktops and applications perform optimally even over long distances.

What are the benefits?

Remote working

One of the main benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop is that it allows users to work remotely and stay productive even when they are not physically present in the office this can be from any number of devices also and not limited to just a computer. This is especially useful in today’s world where remote work has become more common due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Security

Another benefit of Azure Virtual Desktop is that it provides a high level of security and compliance. Azure Virtual Desktop uses Azure Active Directory to provide identity and access management for virtual desktops and applications. It also integrates with Azure Security Centre to provide additional security monitoring and protection. ensuring that sensitive information remains secure. In addition, users can choose to use multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to their virtual desktop. This can give users and companies peace of mind, knowing that their data and resources are protected from unauthorized access.

Additionally, Azure Virtual Desktop is compliant with various industry regulations, such as HIPAA and GDPR, which makes it a suitable solution for businesses in regulated industries.

Scalability

Azure Virtual Desktop allows organisations to easily scale up or down their virtual desktop infrastructure based on the changing needs of their employees. This ensures that employees always have access to the resources they need, regardless of fluctuations in demand. This can be done in the long term via adding resource or removing or also as granular as scaling down based on time of day or usage at certain points of the day using scaling plans and therefore saving cost.

Applications

Azure Virtual Desktop has the ability to support a wide range of applications. Users can install and run any application they need on their virtualised desktop, including custom and proprietary software. This allows employees to access all the tools and resources they need to complete their work, regardless of their location. This can be particularly useful for companies that rely on specialised or proprietary software to conduct their business.

What are some potential drawbacks?

Cost

While Azure Virtual Desktop can be cost-effective compared to traditional virtualisation solutions, the cost can still add up if an organisation has many users or needs a lot of resources. Organisations should carefully evaluate the costs and benefits before implementing Azure Virtual Desktop. And this should be something that is regularly kept in check after implementation. to avoid any unexpected costs that may arise due to business growth or other factors.

Complexity

Azure Virtual Desktop can be complex to set up and manage with it being a relatively new solution. Organisations may need to invest in additional staff or training to ensure that the virtualisation infrastructure is configured and managed correctly if after implementation is complete this is being managed in-house

Internet Connectivity

Azure Virtual Desktop relies on a stable internet connection to provide access to virtual desktops and applications. If internet connectivity is poor or unreliable, it can result in poor performance and disruptions to work. This is key when thinking about taking up the solution itself and assessing home workers and what the standard of internet connectivity is.

Summary

Azure Virtual Desktop is a powerful tool for companies and individuals who need flexible and secure access to their desktop environment and applications from any location. While it may have some limitations in terms of cost and training, the benefits of this service can outweigh these considerations for many organisations. By allowing users to work remotely with confidence, Azure Virtual Desktop can help companies increase productivity and improve the overall efficiency of their operations.

If the possibility of moving to a single or multi-user Azure Virtual Desktop solution interests you, or if you simply want to learn more about this type of solution, our team is here to help guide you.

Talk to one of our experts and they will work with you to ensure that you are getting the best solution for your business needs. Or offer one of our other many Cloud Services should they see fit.