For today’s modern working teams, flexibility is invaluable. Your business may be looking to prioritise solutions that allow your people to work from anywhere, while also maintaining control, security and cost efficiency, and virtual desktop solutions offer the perfect solution to this.
Part of the Microsoft Azure product suite, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) access is an invaluable way to extend your organisation’s network beyond the walls of your offices, empowering your teams to access their desktop and apps from any device, anywhere in the world. Providing several key business advantages and well-integrated with other Microsoft products, it’s the ideal choice for businesses already using Microsoft software.
What is Remote App Streaming and Why Would You Use It?
Remote app streaming is a feature that allows your business to deliver applications to users, without needing to install them on individual devices.
Essentially, it allows you to use Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) as a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) to stream apps to users, just like a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution.
Instead of dealing with the complexity of managing app installations and updates on each device, run the apps on virtual machines (VMs) in the cloud, securely streaming them to users over a secure connection. This means users can access their apps, no matter what device they’re using (i.e. laptop, tablets, smartphones).
Remote app streaming is ideal for if you’re looking to:
- Simplify IT management – by enabling users to use cloud-based apps, you reduce the need to manage complex software installations and updates on individual devices.
- Increase security – Since apps run in a secure cloud environment, sensitive data doesn’t need to be stored on local devices, minimising the risk of data breaches.
- Improve flexibility – your team members can access the tools they need from anywhere, on any device, and stay productive, no matter their location.
A Quick Look at How Azure Virtual Desktop Works
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a cloud-based service that provides virtual desktops and apps, allowing users to access them from any device.
Powered by Microsoft Azure, it offers a multi-session environment that feels personalised and consistent, and gives users a familiar Windows experience. Many organisations benefit from this up-to-date version of Windows, with all the same benefits of Microsoft 365.
For Microsoft’s full overview, check out the Azure Virtual Desktop page.
Why Choose Azure Virtual Desktop for your Business
So, what can you expect from rolling out Azure Virtual Desktop? Here are some standout features that can benefit your business and teams.
1. Cost Optimisation
With this solution, you’ll only pay for what you need, with usage-based pricing, and other cost optimisations such as:
- scale up (or down) – the number of virtual machines (VMs) users access based on demand, in a pay-per-use model
- affordable cloud migration – reduce licensing and IT infrastructure costs by moving on-premises solutions to Azure Virtual Desktop
- precise payments – for computing capacity (i.e. user sessions are measured to the second, not rounded up by the day or hour)
- multi-session capabilities – enable multiple users securely share one virtual machine at the same time (to reduce costs and maximise efficiency)
- use existing licences – eligible Windows or Microsoft 365 per-user licences can be used with AVD, so you don’t have to pay extra
- no long-term commitments – or upfront payments.
2. Secured Virtual Machines
Configure and deploy Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktop and applications experiences, with built-in security and compliance from Microsoft Azure.
3. Analyse Connection Quality
By deploying your virtual infrastructure across Azure’s secure global regions, you can analyse and optimise connection performance, so your team can enjoy fast, reliable desktop experiences, no matter where they are.
4. Deliver Familiar Windows Experiences
Provide your teams with easy access to Windows 11, Windows 10, and various versions of Windows Server (2022, 2019, 2016) for a consistent, user-friendly virtual desktop experience.
5. Maintain Control and Resilience
Let Microsoft handle the complexities of the control plane, and allow your business to get the benefits from resilient, global infrastructure, with less management overhead.
6. Optimise Networking
Enhance security and reliability with Azure’s flexible networking options (including Azure Private Link and RDP Shortpath), for safe, fast connections for your virtual desktops.
7. Streamline host pool management
Easily scale your deployments with advanced host pool management features, such as custom image templates, to streamline and optimise large-scale virtual desktop rollouts.
8. Modernise Your Virtual Desktop Deployment
If you’re already using Citrix or VMware for virtual desktops, Azure Virtual Desktop can seamlessly integrate with your existing setup.
Whether you’re leveraging Citrix DaaS for Azure or VMware Horizon on Azure, AVD offers an easy way to modernise your environment and enhance performance, without starting from scratch.
So, if you’re looking to support your organisation and teams with flexibility, security and cost-efficiency, consider the value of Azure Virtual Desktop – which can integrate seamlessly within existing infrastructure.
Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to modernise your current environment, AVD is an ideal solution for optimising your virtual desktop experience and adapting to the demands of a modern, hybrid workforce.
If you’re currently using Azure Cloud services or are planning to take the leap, Inspired IT can help you navigate this journey. Get the most out of Azure Virtual Desktop and the Azure ecosystem with a tailored solution, fit for your business. Find out more and get in touch with our experts about how we can support your remote operations and technology success.
