Today, having flexibility in your organization’s workforce is more important than ever before!
Office closures and the possibility of shelter-in-place making a come back make having access to your work computer a must.
Microsoft’s Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) was created specifically with enterprise clients in mind and has quickly become a must-have.
Busy organizations can provide their staff with a secure way to access their proprietary company information using a customized solution specific to each employee.
What is Windows Virtual Desktop?
Windows Virtual Desktop is an innovative Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) tool built by Microsoft. It’s launch in 2019 builds upon Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services (also known as RDS) to create a more robust and holistic solution to work remotely.
It’s an Omni-business platform that enables virtual desktops for users to access and work on, while they are on their own computers.
The platform creates a Windows 10 Virtual Desktop within Azure and allows them to publish to users granting them custom access from their own devices.
How has WVD Revolutionized RDS?
The most notable innovations from Windows Virtual Desktop Include:
- The only Windows 10 multi-session environment
- Independently handled user profiles
- New Desktop as a Service (DaaS) offers management and connection functionality and;
- The ability to use Windows or Microsoft 365 licenses you already own to license for WVD
How Much Does WVD Cost?
Since you can use the same licenses that you already own, you only pay for what you use (storage, virtual machines, and networking.)The number of users and amount of storage per user is totally within your control.
You can find more information about the costs associated with Windows Virtual Desktop here.
How to run WVD
You can access WVD from any internet-based device no matter what system it uses to operate. The Remote Desktop Client App is an easy way to access Windows Virtual Desktop and is available for iOS, Windows, Android and MacOS.
The Remote Desktop Client allows users to run both individual published apps and published desktops. It can also be accessed through any browser. What does that mean? It means that a user can run any session desktop or RemoteApp within their browser windows.
THE BENEFITS OF WINDOWS VIRTUAL DESKTOP
There are several benefits to running a Windows Virtual Desktop within your Azure platform. It becomes a huge win for your organization and here are just some of the reasons why:
CUSTOMIZABLE USER PROFILES
We can set up user groups and allow users to have access to the apps they need, so a Graphic Design department would have access to the apps they require with the specific compute power they need, and the Accounting department would only have access to the apps they need etc.
FLEXIBILITY
Windows Virtual Desktop requires that you ONLY pay for what you use – the storage, virtual machines, and networking. That way you can avoid paying for virtual machines when they’re not being used or when there are fewer employees working.
EASY ACCESSIBILITY
The only requirement is internet connectivity – that’s it!
EXTENDED WINDOWS 7 SUPPORT
In January 2020 OS ended for Windows 7. What does that mean? It means there are no longer security updates, software updates or any kind of technical support. This is not the best news if you’re still running your systems on this now outdated platform. With Windows Virtual Desktop however, you will receive an extension of your Windows 7 coverage up until January 2023.
THE 21ST CENTURY WORKSPACE
If you need to enable a flexible workforce, Windows Virtual Desktop is a no-brainer. It will help you transition your team to 100% remote abilities which is extremely useful especially now that COVID-19 has changed the way we work universally.
At AboutXtreme.com we have IT Specialists who can help with any questions you might have regarding Windows Virtual Desktop and can assist you with setting it up and running it on a company-wide level. You can reach us at (phone number).
You also might like our Azure Webinars – Updating Your Azure Skills and Running Domain Controllers in Azure. You can access our webinar series here.