Using virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to host employee desktops on a centralized server offers many benefits to the business and IT department. The server can reside on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment, provided it is accessible via the Internet. More than 64 percent of companies deploy VDI to decrease their total-cost-of-ownership (TCO), but the benefits don’t stop with the financial impact. [1]
VDI Benefits for the IT Department
When you set up a virtual desktop infrastructure, your employees’ hardware devices are separated from the operating systems, applications, and data. For the IT department, the time required for tasks such as installing updating, patching applications, backing up files, and scanning for viruses on each user device is greatly reduced. Your IT team can perform these activities without having to physically touch every single device on the network. When new employees are hired, setting up and provisioning a new desktop is quick and easy. Overall, VDI decreases the amount of time the IT department must spend on desktop management and support activities.
VDI Benefits for the Employees
The IT department is not the only area that benefits from VDI in the workplace. Employees benefit from VDI as well, as it meets the demands and expectations of employees wanting to work remotely and from mobile devices. Employees can access their virtual desktops anytime, anywhere, across any device, to access what they need when they need it. The anywhere, anytime access increases productivity, improves employee job satisfaction and encourages employee loyalty.
VDI Benefits for the Business
In addition to the productivity benefits from both employees and the IT department, businesses have additional benefits to moving to a virtualized desktop infrastructure. Since employees aren’t saving applications and data on their personal devices, security is increased. A lost device does not increase the risk of a data breach. With centralized computing power and no storage required for VDI-supported applications and data, device-accessible virtual desktops are less expensive than standard laptops or desktop computers. Also, businesses can convert end-user computing equipment costs from a capital expense (CAPEX) to an operating expense (OPEX) to decrease the total cost of ownership and improve computing services for the mobile workforce.
Challenges of VDI
Obtaining the benefits of virtual desktop infrastructure is not without its challenges, of course. Adopting VDI requires that your organization has a solid understanding of the applications used and their compatibility to VDI. For example, processor-intensive applications such as voice and video can offload their capabilities to the thin client for improved performance and less burden on the centralized VDI environment.
Over half of all organizations have deployed VDI while 44 percent are not yet using VDI at all. Of the organizations using VDI, 47 percent have deployed it for remote users, and 14 percent have deployed VDI for employees inside their networks along with those working remotely. [1] Organizations without an IT staff or the expertise to maintain virtual desktop infrastructure software and centralized servers can engage IT services providers to host and manage VDI services on their behalf.
Fidelus Technologies, based out of New York City is a Professional and Managed Information Technology Services company focused on customer success and business efficiency . Our services provide seamless networking, data center, wireless, security and unified communications expertise for medium and enterprise sized businesses. We have a consultative life cycle approach that includes requirements gathering, assessments, solution design, planning, project management, engineering, adoption and evolution (training) services to fully support the IT needs of your organization.
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[1] 2017 U.S. IT Services Report sponsored by Fidelus
