Virtual desktops and applications
Virtual desktops and applications enable organisations to deliver a more agile, secure, and cost-effective computing experience to their workforce while adapting to the evolving demands of the modern workplace.
Virtual desktops and applications refer to computing environments and software that are hosted and accessed remotely over a network, rather than being installed and run locally on individual devices.
With virtual desktops, users can access their desktop environment, including operating systems, applications, and data, from any device with an internet connection. Similarly, virtual applications provide access to specific software applications without the need for installation on the user’s device.
What are the benefits of virtual desktops and applications?
By centralising desktops and applications in a virtual environment, organisations can achieve several benefits, including:
Flexibility and mobility:
users can access their desktops and applications from any device with an internet connection, enabling flexible work arrangements and remote access
Enhanced security:
centralised management and access controls improve security by reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with security policies
Simplified IT management:
centralised management of desktops and applications streamlines IT operations, reduces maintenance overheads, and simplifies software updates and patch management
Cost savings:
virtual desktops and applications reduce hardware and software costs by centralising resources and extending the lifespan of existing hardware
Support for remote work:
virtualisation technologies support remote work initiatives by providing secure access to organisational resources from anywhere, improving employee experience, productivity, and collaboration for remote workers
Our virtual desktop and application partners
Discover our Managed Azure Virtual Desktop service
Our Managed Azure Virtual Desktop service ensures your AVD (Azure Virtual Desktop) environment is always correctly configured, optimised, and cost-efficient. Your organisation will also get access to our AVD dashboards, giving you visibility of your environment and AVD running costs to ensure it falls within budget.
Virtual desktops and applications FAQs
A virtual desktop, also known as a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), is a technology that allows users to access their desktop environment remotely from any device with an internet connection. Instead of running applications and storing data locally on a physical device, the desktop environment is hosted and managed in the cloud, on a centralised server or data centre. Users can interact with their virtual desktop through a client application or web browser, accessing their files, applications, and settings as if they were working on a traditional desktop computer.
The requirements for deploying virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) vary depending on the specific implementation and the needs of your organisation. Generally, virtual desktop requirements include several key components:
- Server infrastructure: a robust server infrastructure is necessary to host virtual desktops and support the computing demands of users. This includes servers with sufficient processing power, memory, and storage capacity to accommodate the virtual desktops and applications
- Virtualisation software: virtual desktops rely on virtualisation software to create and manage multiple desktop instances on a single physical server
- Network infrastructure: a reliable and high-performance network infrastructure is essential for delivering virtual desktops to end-users. This includes sufficient bandwidth, low latency, and network redundancy to ensure a smooth user experience, especially for remote and mobile users
- Storage infrastructure: storage infrastructure is critical for storing virtual desktop images, user data, and application files. Organisations must deploy storage solutions capable of providing high-performance storage and scalability to accommodate the storage requirements of virtual desktops
- Endpoint devices: users need endpoint devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, or mobile devices, to access their virtual desktops. These devices should meet minimum hardware requirements and support the necessary client software for accessing virtual desktops
- Security measures: implementing security measures, such as encryption, access controls, and endpoint security solutions, is essential for protecting virtual desktop environments against unauthorised access, data breaches, and malware threats
- Management tools: utilising management tools and software solutions for deploying, monitoring, and managing virtual desktop environments is crucial for ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and reliability. These tools help administrators automate routine tasks, troubleshoot issues, and enforce security policies across virtual desktop deployments
Discover our virtual desktop and application offerings
Book a call today with one of our virtualisation partners to find out about our virtual desktop and application solutions and how we can support your organisation.
You can also email us at [email protected] or call 01904 562200 – whatever works best for you.