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Working from home is the new normal, with 42% of the US workforce working from home full-time. This has led to the widespread adoption of cloud-based solutions to help businesses make their day-to-day operations easier. Cloud desktops, also known as cloud-hosted desktops, or Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), is one such solution that gives users access to their desktops whenever they need it, from anywhere and on any device. With cloud desktops, processes are streamlined, collaboration is enhanced, and efficiency bolstered.
Cloud desktops is an end-user computing approach where virtual desktops and applications are hosted on cloud-based resources rather than in an on-premises corporate data center. Cloud desktops put all content and functions of user desktops on remote servers that can be accessed from anywhere, using any device, as long as they are connected to the internet. Put simply, when an end-user attempts to connect with their endpoint device, the remote protocol establishes a connection, through the gateway, to desktop virtualization infrastructure, which then routes the user’s connection to the virtual desktop or application that has been assigned to them.
For businesses already using cloud services for some or all of a company’s computing needs, cloud desktops can be incorporated into an existing cloud structure or set up and managed separately by a dedicated cloud desktops provider.
1. Significant Cost Savings
Like most cloud services, there is little or no on-premises infrastructure that a business has to invest in to get started with cloud desktops, and there’s no costly hardware to maintain. In fact, 84% of IT professionals claim that cloud services reduce costs associated with software, hardware, security, and IT support.
The biggest asset of cloud desktops is that you pay for what you use. Since cloud desktops are virtual, many users can be supported on a single virtual machine (VM), offering economies of scale. Organizations can rapidly spin up new ‘desktops’ for employees without the need to procure physical computers for the employee’s use. This is commonly called Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) or multi-session.
Leveraging the cloud means that businesses only need to pay for the resources they’re actually consuming at any point in time, and when those resources are no longer required, they can be turned off, and you’re no longer charged. This consumption-based pricing model makes the cost of cloud desktops predictable, giving you the ability to predict and plan your business’ need for cloud desktops and spend accurately. Additionally, when you opt for cloud desktops hosting, the providers take care of setup, migration, and maintenance, eliminating the need for a dedicated IT team.
2. Better Control Over Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Trend
With the BYOD trend, companies allow their employees to bring their devices to the workplace to do office work. The BYOD trend can be beneficial to both the company and employee – companies can reduce their hardware costs by not having to supply or maintain these devices, and employees get to work from their own devices, increasing productivity.
However, it comes with its own challenges, especially in terms of cybersecurity, application compatibility and access, and ensuring that devices are patched and updated. Cloud desktops meet all these challenges while enabling employees to work from wherever they wish. It eliminates compatibility issues, and the need for service gives businesses more control over access and ensures that personal and enterprise mobile apps and data are properly segregated and protected.
3. Increased Security and Compliance
As cyberattacks continue to grow in size and sophistication, the need for digital security becomes an increasingly essential concern. After all, a single cyberattack can cost the average business upwards of $4 million per breach in damages. Preventative measures are not optional but essential to ensure long-term business survival and success.
Using cloud desktops will play a significant part in making your business more secure since data and applications are stored inside the cloud rather than on a user’s physical device. Everything is centrally managed, allowing you to set the rules and keep your data in the right hands, ensuring data is protected against accidental and intentional data breaches.
Additionally, there’s less concern about sensitive data being compromised if an employee’s device is lost or stolen. With a cloud desktop solution, employees can be back up and running in their personal desktop environment from another physical device without much delay. Also, you no longer have to worry about backing up your data daily. Many cloud desktops providers do this for you automatically and give you access to your data if hardware failure should happen.
When it comes to compliance, cloud desktops can help you stay compliant. Most providers are ISO or PCI DSS (required for merchants that accept credit or debit payments) compliant, and those serving the healthcare industry are HIPAA-compliant. This gives you peace of mind that your business is adhering to the required regulations without incurring the costs of training in-house employees to implement or maintain the infrastructure necessary for that compliance.
4. Boosts Productivity
Cloud desktop solutions boost productivity in several ways. Anywhere, anytime access directly translates to more productivity and efficiency. Employees can access their desktops from anywhere using any device, so work tasks can be handled even when someone is away from their desk. Now, your employees can log in from home, at the coffee shop, at the doctor’s office, airport lounge, on the train for the morning commute, or virtually anywhere they have an internet-connected mobile device, enabling them to engage with their coworkers and move projects forward without interruption.
Collaboration is another way cloud desktops increase productivity. With company data in one centralized location, employees can share files, apps and work on projects together in real-time, enabling them to perform better and efficiently. Cloud desktops also enhance collaboration between onsite and remote workers as both stay updated on projects, departments, and the company as a whole.
Cloud desktops also improve company agility and responsiveness. When employees are not tied to a physical laptop or desktop, they are much better equipped to respond quickly to customer requests and industry demands, enhancing the overall corporate agility and responsiveness to the fast-changing business environment.
If you’re thinking of transitioning from a traditional desktop environment to a cloud desktop infrastructure, MicroXpress Inc. can help. Our cloud desktops solutions can help your business increase efficiency, improve productivity, and minimize downtime. For more information about our services, contact us today.
MicroXpress has been providing professional IT services to Central PA businesses since 1989. Watch this brief video to find out the Top Five Reasons so many local businesses are switching to MicroXpress for their IT support.
