Gone are the days of doing all of our work in the office. Even before Covid-19 and the shift towards working for home, there would be conferences to attend or clients to meet with. The demands of employees have changed. They are often on the move and need to be able to access everything needed to do their job wherever they are. Windows Virtual Desktops can help.
A Windows Virtual Desktop allows anyone to work remotely with access to their office workstation. Through the cloud, all business data and programs are accessible. A remote worker can use any mobile device. They log in and their virtual desktop mirrors the one they use at work. Window Virtual Desktop offers a number of benefits, here are our top 5.
1. Convenience
The ability for users to access desktops from wherever they are makes it easy to keep working. This gives them the flexibility to do whatever they need to do whenever they have time available. Virtual desktops mirror the workstations back in the office. This makes users more efficient. They don’t have to learn a different way of doing things when they are working off-site or remotely. They won’t be hunting for files, as everything is in the same place. It’s as if they were sitting at their desk.
2. Reduced Costs
It may not be possible to use the same software you have on servers or workstations on a mobile device. They may not have the power to run the software smoothly and quickly. This can be especially true with older software. Your business would need to upgrade all of those devices. A significant investment. But Virtual Desktops use a powerful cloud-based network, meaning you don’t require that expensive new equipment.
It may not be possible to use the same software you have on servers or workstations on a mobile device. They may not have the power to run the software smoothly and quickly. This can be especially true with older software. Your business would need to upgrade all of those devices. A significant investment. But Virtual Desktops use a powerful cloud-based network, meaning you don’t require that expensive new equipment.
So, no need to upgrade multiple computers. The cloud based virtual desktop does all the work, and it is easy to scale. As well as saving money on infrastructure costs, you will save any downtime whilst you upgrade.
There may be other business advantages and cost savings. You could hire in talent from anywhere in the world for example. They’ll be working on a virtual desktop, so whether they log on from the UK, Europe, or India they’ll have the same access. This can help with plugging skills gaps too.
3. Security
You may have in place policies around what devices and apps people use in your workplace. Policies may stop staff connecting on unsecured devices or downloading risky software. Unfortunately, your employees may still look for shortcuts. If they think a task will be easier to complete on an unapproved device, they’ll use it. They’ll also use a prohibited app if they think it’s easier to use than they app or software you’ve told them to use.
A Windows Virtual Desktops takes away that worry. They make it easier to access your approved business software and data, and you can block the installation of unauthorised apps. You also get the peace of mind of everything being backed by Microsoft. So, you know that patches and updates are regularly installed by a company heavily invested in cyber security.
4. Business Creativity
If you’ve moved to remote working this year you already understand the value of the cloud. A Virtual Desktop hosted in the cloud gives a layer of business continuity. Whatever disruption you suffer, employees can still work as long as they can get online. The Windows Virtual Desktop provides a consistent working environment.
That ability to access your data and software quickly means the business can be up and running quickly. Users can continue working, even whilst restoration is in progress at the physical location.
5. IT’s job is easier
With the system existing in the cloud, IT have less physical technology to look after. Reusing a laptop for a new user is much quicker. Ins fact, a virtual desktop can be saved and transferred to a new user.
This means any IT staff can be used for activities which drive the business forward. With less time consuming, tedious tasks to carry out, they can innovate and add value. This means they contribute to driving revenue.
How We Can Help
You can make life even easier for your in-house IT Team by partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP). The MSP sets up and supports the Windows Virtual Desktop environment. We can also add additional layers of security. With the MSP providing help desk support to users, handling patches and updates, and keep things secure internal IT staff can really focus on bigger projects and proper strategy. A good MSP will even provide consultancy and support with building out that strategy!
If you’d like to find out more about Windows Virtual Desktops or how we can work with internal IT teams fill out our contact form, or call 0115 8220220.
