Research decision making online and your search engine will shoot back pages of articles on how to reduce the number of choices we make, why we struggle with decisions, and decision fatigue. To save you some of the brain power you might expend considering a virtual desktop software solution, this article provides an overview with pros and cons too.
Desktop virtualization, and workspaces, are on the rise globally. Secure and affordable, virtual desktop software provides users access to their individual desktops separate from the actual personal computer. Users no longer need to be at their physical desktop computers to access their applications, folders, widgets, and toolbars. The software virtualizes the user’s unique desktop environment at any workstation or computing device while all the data and applications are stored on a central server.
Virtual desktop software is seen in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or solutions Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions. While the VDI is deployed on-premises, the DaaS solution is fully outsourced. Before comparing the two, let’s first outline the benefits of virtualization overall.
Mobility is a big advantage that a virtual desktop setup offers the current business environment. The virtual workforce is expanding, and even your office denizens want to be able to access their desktops when away from their desks. With virtualization, all users can experience business as usual with their desktop at the ready, whenever they want, wherever they are, as long as there is an Internet connection. Mobile workers will comprise nearly three-quarters of the total U.S. workforce by 2020. — IDC
A virtual solution easily supports a business with a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) culture. Your users can access a secure, consistent computer infrastructure from their smartphones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices.
Virtual desktop software makes upgrading operating systems easier. If you’re a Windows 7 user looking at end of support in January 2020, you’re going to have to migrate your data to ensure cybersecurity. As virtualization is a software-based solution, your organization can upgrade more easily and also quickly scale up or down for seasonal peaks and valleys in your staffing or other business needs.
The financial advantages of virtual desktop software can’t be overlooked either. Rather than relying on maintenance-heavy and costly physical desktop computers, the business can support its users with virtual desktops. In the face of tighter IT budgets, this solution also provides a consistent budget line item to plan around.
There’s also greater peace of mind with cloud-based virtual desktops. This solution offers improved data security as remote or contract workers are accessing their desktops via centrally managed cloud-hosted desktops. Thus, they are granted access to the corporate network but the business needn’t worry about the loss or theft of sensitive data (as it is not stored locally).
Additionally, your organization gains access to a disaster recovery solution. Cloud-based virtual desktops can be implemented easily and rapidly outside of the disaster area to mitigate impacts on end users and your business.
A virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is a promising alternative for many businesses. At the same time, as it is implemented on-premises, your business continues to bear the brunt of the costs. Your IT team is also in charge of the complexity of the infrastructure and must continue to monitor, maintain, and upgrade the VDI (in addition to all their other tasks).
That’s why, ultimately, we recommend cloud-based virtual desktop software. A DaaS offers you all of the advantages of virtualization, but lets you hand over the hard work to your external partner. You’ll be signing a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with your provider to secure your network and support your users.
Research shows that having more choices hurts our motivation to decide. This article does you the favor of pointing your business in a specific direction. You’re welcome!
Turn to an expert to smoothly integrate virtual desktop software into your business environment. Evolve IP’s combination of security, stability, and scalability have exceeded the expectations of clients across industries. Contact our experts today to schedule a consultation.