3 Ways your business could benefit from Azure Virtual Desktop

3 Ways your business could benefit from Azure Virtual Desktop

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Whatever your industry, it is vital your employees have secure access to applications and IT systems required to be productive and work effectively. Some businesses have found this challenging in the advent of remote and hybrid working. One comprehensive solution is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).

AVD is a virtual desktop interface (VDI) solution deployed through Azure and allows users to access Windows 10 and all the necessary applications, from anywhere, on any device. Here are three ways your business could benefit from Azure Virtual Desktop.

Reduce Hardware Expenditure

In 2021, businesses spent more of their IT budget on hardware than anything else*. With the ongoing global chip shortage, all businesses should be looking for ways to get better value for money with their hardware expenditure. With a VDI solution, the computing power is through the Azure Cloud, rather than the physical device, so you can purchase less powerful, cheaper laptops, whilst still delivering a great desktop experience for your employees.

You could even stop purchasing devices all together by implementing a BYOD (bring your own device) program. This enables employees to use their personal laptop or desktop device, running a virtual desktop for when they are working. For your employees, that removes any learning curve associated with a new device, and they only need a single device for work and personal use. Although it is possible to implement a BYOD program without a VDI solution, doing so requires a complex IT support system, and it carries a potential security risk. With AVD, your employees can securely access everything necessary for their jobs, from any device with an internet connection.

Improve Security Posture

Implementing an AVD solution can greatly improve your business’s security posture, as it enables effective update and patch management, and timely recovery after an attack. Many cyberattacks can be avoided through keeping software and operating systems up to date. Although this is simple in theory, many users will delay updates and patches (especially if they require the computer to be restarted), which can leave systems vulnerable to an attack. With AVD it is easy to update all virtual machines simultaneously, and outside of working hours to ensure there is no downtime for employees.

Malware attacks (where malicious software executes unauthorised actions on a victim’s system) can be difficult to recover from as it often leaves the victim without access to their system. Using a VDI makes recovery more efficient. If a virtual machine becomes infected with malware it can be turned off and reverted to its golden image (a preconfigured template or master image), which can simplify disaster recovery and ensure business continuity, regardless of where employees are working.

Easily Scale in Number and Compute

In most businesses different employees require different levels of computing power. For example, a designer working on 3D models will need significantly more computing power than an employee that primarily uses Microsoft Word and Outlook. Similarly, employees may only need more computing power for certain projects. With AVD, it is possible to increase or decrease the level of compute when necessary, and the business only pays for the amount needed.

This also applies to the number of employees requiring access to a desktop. If seasonal temporary employees or interns are hired, for example, with AVD you can provide a virtual desktop for their duration. This greatly reduces complexity of managing hardware whilst decreasing overall costs.

What’s next?

These are just three of the many ways Azure Virtual Desktop could benefit your business. Each year more businesses are implementing VDI solutions to transform the way their employees work, whilst optimising their IT expenditure. As more businesses implement formal hybrid working policies, AVD ensures that employees can securely and easily access all software and IT systems they need to work, regardless of their location. If you want to find out more about how Azure Virtual Desktop could benefit your business and migrating to the Cloud, contact the team at Extech Cloud.