- Simplify your management - Virtual desktop estates are easy to manage; the whole environment can be deployed and configured in a matter of hours rather than days and be centrally managed. Devices, including tablets and smartphones are automatically configured at roll-out and reconfigured when required, reducing downtime and support costs. It’s an ideal BYOD (bring your own device) solution as it allows complete user-centric access control and manages any devices entering your network.
- Better managed security risks - Unlike a physical desktop estate, a virtualised one provides better security for the information and data stored within it and for the machines themselves. With a virtualised desktop infrastructure, everything except the client access device is located centrally. This means that the users’ machines contain no hard drives, no local storage and the operating system has no published API, so your network and data are better protected against authorised access and malware attacks. Furthermore, if your desktop infrastructure contains thin clients, rather than PC’s or laptops, they are a lot smaller so can easily be locked away. As they are just a simple shell, they are less valuable and therefore less attractive to thieves.
- A more cost-effective solution - Thin or zero client devices that can be configured for a VDI environment have no moving parts, consume very little electricity and generate little heat; this can lead to a quieter working environment, with a much reduced requirement for air conditioning or climate control, all of which translate into lower operational costs. Furthermore, a lot of companies are look for a fast and reliable transition method from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10. A virtual desktop solution offers a cost-effective upgrade route for companies needing to make this transition. Savings on hardware costs at the point of refresh can also be significant.
- Preserve your existing hardware investment - You may not be ready to fully virtualise your desktop infrastructure and it may not be the best option for you at this time. There are however solutions available that enable you to continue using your existing PC’s and bridge the gap, maximising the investment you have made in your existing hardware. Then if you choose to fully virtualise at a later date, you can easily make the transition to thin clients. In the meantime, you can re-use your older hardware to access your new VDI desktops.
- Scale in a way that’s fast, practical and affordable - One of the principal benefits of a virtualised desktop infrastructure is that it’s easily scalable. Now that everything is located and managed centrally, adding new desktops is simple. Users simply take the machine out of its packaging, connect the display, keyboard, mouse and power supply and its ready. After applying a profile to the new machine, the device connects automatically to the centralised virtual desktop infrastructure and automatically configures itself.
About the Author: Mike Starnes
Mike has worked in the IT Industry for over 20 years. If he's not talking technology, he'll be reading, playing football or trying to embarrass his daughters.
