Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop to Modernise and Revolutionise Your UX
In today’s fast-paced digital world, delivering a seamless user experience remains a top priority for IT Managers. The surge in remote work, BYOD and multi-device policies have increased the demand for efficient and secure virtual desktop solutions. This demand is a direct consequence of the shift toward a decentralised workforce. Enter Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) by Microsoft—an innovative cloud-based service. It revolutionises how organisations manage their desktop infrastructure and applications. By removing the complexities and challenges associated with legacy products. With a cloud-first approach, Microsoft assumes the responsibilities, leaving you to get on with your job!
Azure Virtual Desktop To Revolutionise Your UX
Gone are the days of grappling with the complexities of on-premises desktop management, or battling Remote Desktops, XenApp/ XenDesktop.
AVD brings forth a new era where desktops and applications are hosted in the cloud. This enables the users to enjoy a consistent and personalised experience from any location or device. Whether corporate-owned or a personal device, this centralised approach simplifies administration and offers scalability and flexibility to suit business demands.
Flexibility: AVD empowers users to access their desktops and apps remotely, fostering collaboration and productivity. Each user gets the same experience regardless of the device. This means that you can push applications and experiences to users on devices previously excluded from accessing your system, i.e., Apple iPads and Chromebooks.
Performance: Leveraging the robust infrastructure of Microsoft Azure, AVD ensures high-speed access to applications, regardless of the workload demands. This means you are leaning on one of the biggest providers in the cloud space.
Security: With features like Azure Active Directory integration and multi-factor authentication, AVD strengthens data protection, mitigating security risks associated with endpoint devices.
Management Simplicity: IT managers can centrally manage and deploy virtual desktops through the Azure portal, streamlining administrative tasks and reducing overhead. Leveraging tools like Nerdio to wrap around your AVD deployment can simplify this.
Cost Optimisation: By adopting a pay-as-you-go model, organisations can eliminate upfront hardware investments and optimise resource utilisation, resulting in long-term cost savings.
Real-World Applications Azure Virtual Desktop for UX
Across various sectors and organisations are leveraging AVD to transform their user experience:
Education: AVD facilitates seamless access to educational resources, enhancing the learning experience for students and faculty alike. If your education provider is looking for a BYOD, this is a great way to remove the hardware dependence on the process.
Healthcare: Healthcare providers rely on AVD to ensure secure access to patient records and critical applications, even in remote settings. Using Zero Clients from 10Zig, you can access the desktop experience quickly and securely, and it indeed follows users around.
Finance: Banks and financial institutions use AVD to enable remote work while maintaining compliance with industry regulations. Challenges around compliance and regulation have often been a barrier to progress, but not with Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop leveraging the secure framework Microsoft Azure is built on and the protection of AVD, you can truly drop the legacy systems.
Best Practices for AVD Implementation
To ensure a successful AVD deployment, you should look to adhere to these best practices:
Assessment and Planning: Conduct a thorough assessment of infrastructure and user needs to design a tailored deployment strategy. Planet IT can help with this through our Free assessment of your DaaS solution and asses how to get you ready for the cloud.
Pilot Testing: Evaluate AVD performance and compatibility through a pilot program before full-scale deployment. This is best done with around 5% of your workforce, which includes users from across the spectrum of skills, roles, and use cases.
Security Measures: Implement robust security protocols to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulations. Working with our team, we can understand your needs and translate them to Microsoft’s compliance and protection.
User Training: Provide comprehensive training and support to help users adapt to the new virtual desktop environment. This can be done via workshops, 1 to 1 sessions, training videos, and so much more. With a team of experienced trainers, we can help you maximise the experience and get all users ready to work.
Continuous Improvement: Monitor performance metrics and user feedback to optimise the AVD environment over time. This is critical with all aspects of Azure, and even more so when you are looking to make the most of Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.
To Conclude
Azure Virtual Desktop offers a compelling solution for organisations seeking to modernise their desktop infrastructure and enhance user experience. By embracing AVD and following best practices, you can unlock new opportunities for innovation and productivity while ensuring a secure computing environment for your workforce.
If you want to talk to our experts about how we can help your business review its environment and plan to move to the cloud. To find Out how Azure Virtual Desktop could make all the difference, please call 01235 433900 or email [email protected]. If you want to speak to me directly, you can contact me via DM or at [email protected].
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