Five reasons to use cloud virtual desktops to support the hybrid workforce

Five reasons to use cloud virtual desktops to support the hybrid workforce

Changes in remote work have increased interest in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to provide a better and more secure experience.

When the epidemic began, the priority was to ensure business continuity, said Gabe Knuth, marketing manager with VMware at a recent ITWC webinar. "Now we're trying to figure out how to position ourselves for the digital-first new normal," he said. "To do this, organizations need to adopt agile technologies, such as virtual apps and desktops that are radically integrated into the user's work environment."

Knuth said that working from home is not without some challenges. Users have complained of a degraded experience with VPNs. Some have connectivity challenges and security is a constant concern.

"With everyone working remotely, the need for a consistent user experience has never been more important, regardless of workload or user location," said Scott Mathewson, Innovation Services Lead with Softchairs.

How VDI helps prepare your organization for the future of work

1. Desktop virtualization allows users to access virtual desktops and applications from a connected device. Knuth explained that it "empowers employees prepared for the future" in five ways:
2. Supports hybrid environments. In the 2019 VMware survey, 91 percent of users said that the hybrid is or should be a good capability. Forty-seven percent expect multi-cloud to be part of their environment. Newt said VDI allows organizations to deploy desktops from anywhere, whether on-premises or the cloud. "And you can manage it with a single pane of glass," he said. "You don't have to manage separate silos of desktops and applications wherever they occur."
3. Simplifies management. Knuth said that the virtual desktop service allows entry for packages and deployments in any environment at any time, as well as enforcing user settings. Another major advantage is that it can access corporate resources very quickly. "We had a customer who needed to spin 35,000 desktops and we could help them do it in just five days," Goodhut. A business analysis estimates support for $ 216,000 over three years and savings in administrative efficiency.
4. Improves end-to-end security. VDI uses built-in security to provide security in infrastructure. It stores data in the cloud on the local desktop.
5. Serves as a reliable digital foundation for modern architecture. A VDI service can easily adapt and integrate with an organization's existing Active Directory or other identity providers.
6. Enhances user experience. Knuth said that improving the user experience is the most important benefit. "We want users to be able to work from anywhere and on any device," he said. "We want their productivity to be the same, even if they are working from home." VDI supports real-time audio and video for applications such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. It consists of adaptive protocols that accommodate changing network conditions that affect latency. “Therefore, when children fire Netflix on their iPads, the end users experience will be maintained. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the user experience is local or close to better. "