It can be hard to keep up with the modern technologies pushing the envelope in our increasingly virtualised world. Where older technologies inevitably become obsolete, newer innovations especially keep the business industry pushing forward.
One of the greatest virtual innovations of the past decade is Azure Virtual Desktop. This technology has changed the business landscape for many companies in the current post-remote landscape and is unmissable, with more companies looking towards Azure Virtual Desktop every year.
We believe that embracing Azure Virtual Desktop is one of the best ways to take your business to the next level. That’s why in this article we’re going to take a look at the ins and outs of Azure Virtual Desktop, and how you can get started today.
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 significantly 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 easily 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 significantly, 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 significantly.
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 ultimately 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 key to ensuring your business can stay a cut above the rest in the long term.
Azure Virtual Desktop is the best pick for any business looking towards the cloud. The platform’s security and ease of use make it the best choice for any business looking to take a step into the virtual future, whilst also being incredibly cost-effective.
For many businesses looking to move towards a more modern solution, Azure Virtual Desktop’s cloud-based infrastructure is the first step towards enabling your company to take advantage of many of the benefits of a cloud-based system.
Looking to take your business to the next level? We’re here to help you get started!
How We Can Help
For businesses without security expertise, social engineering attacks can be difficult to protect against. Especially if your business does not already have a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training program.
If you are concerned about your organisation’s security posture, contact us today and we can help ensure you’re doing everything you can to reduce your overall cyber risk.