Giorgio Bonuccelli
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Last updated on September 2, 2021
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VDI in the Cloud: Which Cloud VDI Product Is Right for You?

Cloud Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions are fully managed, cloud-based virtual workspace solutions. They allow users to access desktop applications securely from any place at any time. Cloud VDIs offer remote work capabilities along with many other benefits such as:

The Benefits of Using Virtual Desktops

Virtual desktops allow employees to access their work from any place, at any time. There are other benefits offered by virtual desktops, including better security, superior connectivity, enhanced productivity, lower costs and centralized management.

Better security

Cybersecurity incidents have been increasing exponentially, giving rise to the popularity of virtual desktops. On end-user devices, anti-virus solutions are not enough protection against ransomware and malware. Since most businesses are now online, security risks at end devices are even more pronounced. Hence, going virtual and not relying on the end device is your best bet against impending security risks.

Improved connectivity

Virtual desktops allow your company resources to be accessible by anyone, from anyplace regardless of their location. It is evident that VDI improves organizational connectivity even when your organization has remote or traveling employees.

Lower IT costs

By eliminating complex architecture, switching servers, normal servers and other hardware, virtual desktops help you lower IT costs. Virtual desktops reduce long term maintenance costs, software licensing costs, and replacement costs.

Improved productivity

Virtual Desktops improve the productivity of employees by allowing them to work from any place at any time. You are not restricted to hiring people from a limited geographical area.

Back-end handling of the infrastructure

Since VDI is centralized, IT staff can administer the infrastructure of the organization from the back end. This improves aspects like IT engagement, incident response, updates and installations, all of which ensure better security.

Outsourcing Cloud VDI Management Through DaaS

Cloud-hosted software packages and cloud services are gaining popularity each passing day. Virtualizing and outsourcing a workspace by deploying a Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution is a part of this growing popularity. DaaS solutions contain VDI solutions in a cloud-hosted environment and offer desktops as services using a subscription-based model. DaaS allows you to outsource cloud VDI management by removing the initial legwork of VDI setup and maintenance.

The DaaS model allows you to host desktops offsite, thus providing you with additional benefits on top of those offered by desktop virtualization. Outsourcing cloud VDI management through DaaS is the perfect way to manage IT infrastructure, deploy the infrastructure smoothly and improve productivity.

DaaS scalability

With VDI solutions, a change of scale means further investment in implementation and datacenters. However, with DaaS solutions, this work is removed from the customer end. Scaling up or down can be done easily without the need for in-depth planning, or the risk of investment losses or budget overruns.

Outsourcing management

DaaS reduces the management needs for IT solutions, ultimately reducing the need for in-house maintenance. Technical issues can be resolved quickly, troubleshooting and maintenance occupy less time for in-house IT staff, and freed-up IT staff can dedicate themselves to higher-level tasks. DaaS hence overcomes the restrictions posed by VDI solutions.

Choosing Between DaaS and VDI

Choosing between DaaS and VDI depends on your business needs and other factors that include but is not limited to management needs, cost, connectivity, security needs, geographical location, and agility requirements.

Management needs

The first factor that you can consider when choosing between DaaS and VDI is the presence or absence of qualified IT personnel in your organization. If you require external management to ease out your virtual desktop management needs, DaaS is the better option. On the other hand, if you have qualified, in-house IT staff, using a VDI solution like Windows Virtual Desktop is a better, as it allows you to build your design.

Cost

Needless to state, the costs associated with VDI solutions are fixed depending on your workload. It can become more expensive than DaaS solutions, because the DaaS workload, as well associated costs, are flexible. Hence, if your organization is small scale, DaaS works better for your pocketbook.

Connectivity and updates

VDI is a mature, tested and proven solution that is not dependent on internet connectivity. It however requires a yearly manual update cycle. DaaS, on the other hand, is an emerging technology that relies on internet connectivity but offers the excellent feature of automatic updates.

Security of sensitive data

Since VDI solutions are hosted on-site, the sensitive data is also located in an on-site datacenter managed by IT administrators. DaaS however is a fully outsourced solution, hence your sensitive data leaves the on-site datacenter. Choosing between VDI and DaaS is thus dependent on your desired security level for sensitive data.

Geography

VDI solutions have the datacenter in a local region while DaaS can consume all available global cloud regions, thus allowing you to leverage the facilities of on-premises infrastructure in a hybrid cloud setting.

Agility

The deployment time for DaaS solutions is quicker and more flexible in comparison to the moderately slower VDI setup which has fixed capacity. The elasticity and ease of deployment is another factor to consider when choosing your desired solution.

Parallels RAS and Azure DaaS

Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is an optimal way for using virtual desktop setups with ease since it integrates with and enriches the Windows Virtual Desktop experience. Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop lets you run applications and virtual desktops remotely and enables you to use Windows 10 multi-session hosts.

The combination of Microsoft 365 and Azure offers extended benefits to the end user, and Parallels RAS is designed to work effortlessly with Azure DaaS. Deploy Parallels RAS and deliver virtual desktops from the cloud with cutting-edge security, client policies, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access control capabilities.

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