Azure Virtual Desktop: benefits and scenarios

Why should you use Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)? And is AVD also a solution for your specific organization? In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the main benefits of AVD (spoiler alert: it will save you a lot of euros). In addition, we will look at the most important business scenarios in which AVD is most effective and pays off optimally.

Key benefits

Adaptable and scalable

The big advantage of Azure over traditional data centers is its flexible scalability. If you want to add a machine or scale the existing hosts, it's only a matter of minutes. On top of that, you only pay for what you use. Low server utilization also means low cost.

Centralized workplace management

In the scenario where everyone has their own laptop, the IT department obviously wants the same applications to run and the same updates to be made on each device. Azure Virtual Desktop works on the golden image principle where all applications are installed only once on one machine. Then everything is deployed across the host pool containing all AVD servers. So anyone logging into these servers will see exactly the same thing.

Lots for the price of one

When you use Azure Virtual Desktop, you immediately create a direct link to literally hundreds of Azure services. From backup and storage accounts over a handy monitoring tool to an extensive security center. All these services run on the same backbone as Azure Virtual Desktop, ensuring fast and optimal performance.

Safety first

Azure Virtual Desktop uses the existing, comprehensive Azure security measures, the same by the way as Office 365 so most people already have access to this service. We are talking about:

• Azure Active Directory
• Multi-Factor Authentication
• Role-Based Access
• VPN Gateway between the AVD Azure Deployment and On-Premises
• Azure Security Center
• Azure Security Groups & Firewall
• Reverse Connect (so the servers are not publicly available)

FSLogix is included at no charge

With the acquisition of the profile management technology FSLogix, Azure Virtual Desktop offers full support for the use of all Office 365 products. In doing so, the user profile is stored including application data. This ensures faster loading times when logging in. Also integrated are all security and management technologies from and by Microsoft 365. When you log on with FSLogix, everything runs much faster and compatibility with Office 365 as well as OneDrive is significantly improved.

Windows 7 security updates during transition

Azure Virtual Desktop is the only service that offers free extended Windows 7 updates while a business makes the transition to Windows 10. This way, businesses get to run their old apps while they transition to Windows 10.

Cost effective

Last but not least, there are many reasons why Azure Virtual Desktop will save you quite a bit of money.

• Backend servers are managed by Microsoft. In a traditional environment, you need a whole bunch of servers that all need to be maintained. With AVD, there is no more management needed on the infrastructure, you just have to manage your desktop servers and keep them up to date.
• No Client Access Licenses (CALs). For each user that connects to the remote desktop environment you pay 5 to 6 Euros for the license. With AVD, this cost is eliminated, everything is taken care of through the licensing of Office 365. This means that many companies are already entitled to AVD without knowing it.
• Azure Virtual Desktop is fully compatible with OneDrive. Users can access the storage included in their Office 365 subscription instead of purchasing additional storage (Fileserver or Azure Files).
• Automate the shutdown of machines after business hours. As already mentioned, it is inherent in Azure that you only pay for what you use, i.e. you do not pay for servers or capacity that is not used after business hours.

Various scenarios

By now, the benefits of AVD are clear. But what can it do for your specific organization? Not everyone needs a virtual desktop but in a lot of scenarios it offers an excellent solution:

1. Security and regulations are crucial in certain industries. Think of financial companies, government agencies and healthcare organizations. There, it is very important that sensitive data is not spread across different devices. With AVD, only screen and keyboard data is exchanged between the end device and server, nothing more and nothing less. Further data transfer is not necessary. This makes it much easier to prevent data breaches outside the controlled environment and/or to meet strict(er) compliance requirements.
2. With dynamic user numbers or limited use. The number of workstations needed in an organization can vary quite a bit. Think of temporary collaborations, new departments, mergers, turnover, etc. Often new, sometimes even temporary workstations need to be set up quickly. In such situations, a virtual desktop implementation can be realized almost in real-time and is much cheaper than the purchase and setup of new hardware.
3. Dedicated employees: 
   
   • Remote workers: Persistent desktops can be customized for each user, while data remains centralized in the data center.
   • Bring your own device: With AVD, you virtualize desktops and apps, which you then assign to your users. Virtual applications can therefore be run on any end device and with practically any operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android) or browser-based (HTML5).
   • Call centers: An important advantage of a non-persistent desktop is the ability to use a standard desktop from a pool of identical desktops. For example, in a standard call center, each team member performs a specific set of tasks, and the desktop can be standard.
4. Specialized workloads:
   • Design and engineering. Some workplaces have high technical requirements, think for example of companies that work with technical draftsmen. Whereas in a traditional setting these have to purchase an expensive graphics card for each draughtsman, you can opt for a workstation including a graphics card that everyone can use.
   • Legacy apps. There are currently many moves from an installed application to a web application. But there are also still many good applications without a web option. AVD offers an ideal in-between solution: you install your application in a Windows environment but you can offer it via the web.
   • Software dev test. Again, the pay-as-you-go advantage comes into play: you only pay for the test.

Customer Case

Jessa Hospital, one of the larger hospitals in Belgium with 900 beds and 3,500 employees, strongly believes in the benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop. The scalability of the cloud, the reduced licensing costs and the accessibility of applications from any device were the deciding factors for deploying the virtual desktop environment within the different campuses.

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