Because of the continuous shift in work environments and behaviours, more and more employees crave options to allow us to thrive despite the changes we experience. It also caused the rise of dependency on virtual machines and cloud platforms and for companies to support a hybrid environment.
Virtual Desktop Solutions became the aptest solution, facilitating remote access and enhanced mobility. Moreover, it permits using a secure and flexible work experience across multiple devices and networks. Compared to physical desktops that limit employees to the office, virtual desktops deliver a new set of advantages.
What is Azure Virtual Desktop?
Stepping up in the virtual desktop game is the Azure Virtual Desktop. Powered by Azure, AVD is a cloud-based, multi-session, and comprehensive desktop and app virtualization service. It offers a unified management experience that can run on Windows 7, 10, and 10 multi-sessions, depending on how it is configured.
Many organizations treat AVD as an asset because it provides several advantages, such as reducing costs, promoting secure work, maximizing cloud investment value, and simplifying modern work environments.
Compared to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop offers the flexibility of a desktop solution. We’ve made another article that goes more in-depth about this, which you can read in our previous Blog “Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365? Lets Compare“. But on this page, we go through some examples of potential use cases.
What Businesses can benefit from Azure Virtual Desktop?
In 2019, Azure Virtual Desktop positively impacted companies across industry verticals. Beyond its security, reliability, and enhanced virtualization capabilities, providing a seamless desktop experience like an office setup caused its rapid popularity during the pandemic as work-from-home orders were implemented and productivity needed to be sustained.
Generally, the most incredible demands for AVD come from these industries:
· Those with ever-changing workforce needs like contractors, short-term employees, mergers and acquisitions, remote work, contractors, and partner access
· Organizations requiring security and regulation applications like financial, healthcare, and government
· Those with specialized workloads like legacy apps, design and engineering, and software development testing
· Companies dealing with specific employees, implementing bring-your-own-device programs, call centers, mobile users, and branch workers
· Businesses dispersed globally or those with remote work locations
Below are some of the top five use cases for Azure Virtual Desktop:
Use Case One: Finance
Any industry in the finance and banking sector is security-conscious and necessitates extraordinary cybersecurity measures. Given that any threat, data breach, or cyberattack can cost millions, lose customers’ trust, and put your reputation at stake, it’s essential to be vigilant despite the changes in the company. With that, it is only understandable for financial services to choose cloud desktops over replacing their expensive and hard-to-maintain physical desktops with the perception of being more in control.
Azure Virtual Desktop is designed to meet these regulatory rules while maintaining the same standards of on-premises desktop security. AVD uses a VDI solution to secure all the information and facilitate easy deployment of a PCI-DSS compliant desktop accessible to any device by any worker (temporary contractors included). To further ensure that users are not going beyond transferring data or accessing systems that they are not allowed to, Azure Virtual Desktop highlights features that limit their use.
Use Case Two: Legal
Since legal firm processes possess a limitless amount of sensitive data and money, legal industries are typically the target of cybercriminals. Modern law companies, particularly those with more than eight team members, require more sophisticated and robust tools than just the essential cloud software. Moreover, since law firms are dealing with an immense amount of data, an advanced storage system.
The Azure Virtual Desktop drastically lessens the attempt of a ransomware attack and data leaks because of its multi-layered security. It also improves the organization’s overall productivity as they can work anywhere, and it builds resiliency despite constant changes in work demands.
Use Case Three: Healthcare
One of the pillars that built the healthcare industry is data confidentiality. The amount of sensitive data and restricted files they possess require them to follow stringent regulations against data misuse, such as the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Accordingly, the company is responsible for storing its data on secure systems, else, penalties will be implemented, and credibility will be damaged.
A perfect match for the healthcare sector’s security requirements is the Azure Virtual Desktop. One of the reasons is that the device doesn’t store the data. Instead, it is on the Azure cloud. It also permits users to place permissions and rules to select stakeholders and the right to access sensitive information. On the other hand, Azure has some of the most secure data storage in the market.
Use Case Four: Manufacturing
Unlike the previously mentioned industry that deals with sensitive data, manufacturing companies may be the least to take full advantage of virtual desktops. Manufacturers are unique because of the high volume of employees they handle. Typically, their employees do not necessarily use a device simultaneously. Because of this, they would require fewer devices with AVD.
Azure Virtual Desktop lessens hardware and software costs while increasing productivity without affecting the company’s security posture. Beyond that, the VDI solution can also provide security, flexibility, cost savings, and scalability in how they treat their IT infrastructure.
Use Case Five: Education
The pandemic caused a rapid rise in technology adoption in the education sector. Students and educators are now using high-end machines, which facilitate effective learning. However, in terms of budget, not all schools can accommodate enough devices for each student, and it can be impractical and costly constantly update and maintain the hardware. Because of this, programs like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) are adopted in schools. However, this could pose security risks.
Azure Virtual Desktop resolves hardware issues by helping education establishments obtain lower-cost hardware with lesser computing power, as the processing power comes from VDI. The BYOD program and AVD are perfect because all end-users receive the same experience despite using different devices. Nevertheless, these have the same enhanced security measures for school-related devices.
Use Case Six: Call Centre
The demands of call and contact centres cannot afford any business interruption. Moreover, their cooperation with agreed-upon service and compliance standards should be observed. With the recent changes that transpired during the pandemic, the industry shifted to remote work to pursue its operations and keep a competitive landscape.
Unlike traditional desktops that lead to security and productivity challenges, Azure Virtual Desktop does not compromise these aspects. Moreover, AVD delivers security and control options to match the specific needs of its clients.
A Seamless Transition to Azure Virtual Desktop
The Azure Virtual Desktop has been an ever-growing and maturing platform. And, because it is enveloped in Microsoft’s umbrella, customers can ensure that it will continuously improve over time. If you are interested in the cloud desktop virtualization platform, we made a series of blogs to help you assess if it’s the right match for your organization.
Even though Azure Virtual Desktop was only introduced last 2019, ECF Data’s team of experts has already gained trainings, certifications, and experience deploying this solution. As a Microsoft Gold-Certified partner, we take commitment to your success by addressing your challenges and leveraging Azure Core Services to transform your business. Contact our team to get you started.
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