For many organizations, the transition to a cloud workflow is nearly complete. The global pandemic made it clear just how important “work from anywhere” modern infrastructure is to business continuity.
Sixty-four percent of U.S. organizations acknowledged that digital transformation was sped up due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Systems like analog company phone infrastructure moved to cloud-based VoIP solutions, and virtual meeting applications exploded with new users.
Working in a cloud-based environment is critical in today’s world because it enables:
- Workforce flexibility & mobility
- Resilience in the face of a natural or manmade disaster
- Increased productivity
- Lower operational costs
77% of surveyed employees working at least part-time from home showed increased productivity as a result.
You often hear the term “hybrid office” in this post-pandemic environment. This refers to companies that have employees that work remotely and in the office. Sometimes employees work in one place exclusively. But often, they are working in the office part of the time and at home part of the time.
Cloud technology makes it possible for them to access business applications and data, no matter where they are working. But there is still a mobility challenge when it comes to the computer workstation they use.
Computers desktops are one of the last bastions of a non-cloud world. They hold certain folders, files, and settings that are needed to work, but are not easily accessible if you’re not sitting in front of them.
Complicating things is that many remote employees use personal PCs when working from home to access business data. And in the course of working, will often have business-related items, like passwords and files, saved on that home computer.
Why Moving PCs to the Cloud Make Sense
Moving to cloud-based PCs can solve many of the issues with mobility, security, and transparency companies face in a hybrid work environment.
Using a cloud PC like Azure Virtual Desktop puts everything that is normally on a computer hard drive on a cloud server instead. This virtual desktop environment can then be accessed from any device without the need to physically carry around a laptop or other computer.
Azure Virtual Desktop
Using Azure Virtual Desktop moves your Windows 10 or 11 environment to the cloud, in a deployment that takes just minutes and is fully optimized for Microsoft 365, as well as any other programs you normally use on your business PCs.
Virtual desktops can be accessed from any device without data being stored on that device. Whether on a tablet, work computer, home laptop, or another workstation, employees can access their own personal desktop environment with all files, settings, folders, etc.
How Will Azure Virtual Desktops Benefit Our Company?
Keep Control of Your Business Data
Approximately half (49%) of work-from-home employees use their personal computers while working remotely. This can lead to data security and data leakage issues for a number of reasons.
For example:
- Employee PCs may be running outdated software
- Others in a home may be able to access the employee’s personal computer
- The company has a lack of visibility into an employee’s personal device
- There’s an inability to monitor and manage data security
Using Azure Virtual Desktops gives your organization complete visibility into all employee desktop environments. This includes the ability to keep devices updated and remain in control of your business data.
Improve the Hybrid Work Experience
Employees that are working between home and office are often challenged with the need to move their PC between spaces or use different PCs depending on where they are.
If they carry a laptop between home and work, then the risk of damage or theft is increased. If they use distinct devices at each location, then productivity can suffer because they need to switch between environments and may not have all the files or apps that they need on one or the other.
Using a virtual desktop means being able to access the same computer workspace no matter where you are, without having to carry a laptop computer around.
Not only is this more convenient, but it’s also more secure when traveling. No matter what happens to luggage, your computer and everything on it is completely safe in the cloud.
Virtualize Non-Cloud Apps
If you have any non-cloud apps used in your business workflow, then using Azure Virtual Desktops can give you a cloud experience for those applications.
They are saved on the “hard drive” – meaning the cloud server – just like they would be on a standard computer. But, because you can now access that virtual computer from the cloud, this means you can also now access that software from the cloud as well.
Better for Cybersecurity
When your workforce has virtual desktops, you remain in control of security for all those environments. You can access data anytime, and ensure all virtual desktops are running required backup, anti-malware, and other important security software.
Uniform policies for data security can be applied throughout all employee desktops, which isn’t easily the case when everyone is working from home on non-cloud computers.
Take the Next Step Toward Digital Virtualization with X-Centric
Do you have questions about Azure Virtual Desktops? X-Centric IT Solutions can answer them! Our business technology experts can provide you with personalized recommendations for virtualization that keep your company’s needs and goals in mind.
Schedule a consultation today!
Sixty-four percent of U.S. organizations say that digital transformation was sped up due to the pandemic.
Computers desktops are one of the last bastions of a non-cloud world.
Physical PCs are a challenge for hybrid work where employees need to switch between home and office.
Using Azure Virtual Desktop moves your Windows 10 or 11 environment to the cloud.
Employees can access their own personal desktop environment from anywhere.
How Will Azure Virtual Desktops Benefit Our Company?
- Keep Control of Your Business Data
- Improve the Hybrid Work Experience
- Virtualize Non-Cloud Apps
- Better for Cybersecurity
