Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) can help your business alleviate a myriad of IT challenges - from high costs associated with IT hardware and server maintenance, to offering more robust data security.

AVD is a cloud-based virtual desktop service that lets your staff access their applications and data from anywhere in the world, on any device - as long as they have an internet connection. Azure is therefore a convenient and cost-saving tool to help businesses scale and manage remote or hybrid teams. 

And because it’s powered by Microsoft, it allows users to benefit from a seamless integration with Microsoft suite of applications - helping to increase productivity and unified communications.

How Azure Virtual Desktop can solve your IT problems

AVD is a powerful solution for any business that wants to support remote staff, reduce costs, and ensure optimal security. 

It’s easy to deploy and can be used in conjunction with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy, which can help you save on IT maintenance and hardware costs. 

Cloud-based virtual workstations are changing the way we work, and the way we think about IT infrastructure. Compared with a traditional IT setup in an office where every user is allocated a powerful computer, where there’s a dedicated server, and where software updates need to be manually installed on an ongoing basis - cloud-based computing is changing all of that. 

With a virtual workstation, servers can be virtual and all data is backed up and stored in the cloud on a remote server. Users no longer require powerful desktops or laptops - they can use almost any device that has internet connectivity to connect to their virtual desktop. And staff no longer need to be in a specific location to use their desktops - they can be anywhere in the world. 

That also means that you don’t need such a large in-house IT team to maintain your servers, run software updates or fix hardware problems. You can operate with a leaner team and rely on your virtual desktop provider to maintain your virtual desktops and software updates. This simplified IT management and saves costs. 

Below are several of the benefits of using AVD and how it can help to alleviate and solve your IT problems.

1. Simplifies your IT hardware requirements

Keeping up with the latest IT hardware can be costly and time-intensive for organizations. But when you switch to using a virtual desktop, you can use any tablet, laptop, or mobile device to access your files and conduct your business. That can simplify your IT hardware requirements, even allowing you to adopt a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy.

2. Strengthens your IT security

Most organizations are interested in finding ways to strengthen their IT, given the ubiquitous nature of cyberattacks and the financial and business continuity implications of such attacks. 

Using virtual desktops means you rely on cloud storage and backups, so your data isn’t stored on-site. And by relying on large organizations like Microsoft that spend millions in security measures, means you're able to leverage the latest in security innovations and defenses. 

Being able to secure your data and applications within AVD and taking advantage of their added security features like Azure Security Center, Sentinel, and Microsoft Defender ATP gives organizations peace of mind. And Azure’s secure login and permissions settings allows companies to control access and manage permissions from a centralized control panel. 

For certain sectors that require specific levels of legal compliance with data storage and handling, Azure Virtual Desktop also ticks many boxes - holding certifications for HIPAA, PCI and more.

3. Assists organizations transition to remote work models

Oftentimes organizations are interested in having staff work remotely or in a hybrid model, but don’t have the tools to enable this. AVD allows businesses to get set up for remote work, because all they need is an internet connection to login into their desktops and start working.

4. Seamless integration with other Microsoft tools

Another large benefit of using Azure Virtual Desktop is that, as a Microsoft product, it can be used seamlessly with other Microsoft products. That includes products like Microsoft 365, Microsoft Team, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Edge and SharePoint. 

Having unified communications and integrations when it comes to using different IT products, helps to increase efficiency and productivity which can help save costs and drive increased revenues for businesses. 

That's because your staff no longer need to use one application for collaborating, another for making a call, and another for saving their files - instead, all applications work seamlessly together.

5. Helps businesses save on IT costs

Whether your organization is a small start-up, a medium-sized corporate, or a large enterprise - there are significant cost savings of switching to a cloud-based virtual desktop system like Azure. 

Firstly, you no longer need to invest large amounts into IT hardware, and you no longer need to host your own on-site servers which take up lots of space and require lots of maintenance and power to run.

In addition, you can switch your IT costs to being an operational cost (OPEX) because AVD is a monthly subscription - which can help with cash flow and allows companies to scale up or down as needed.

6. Helps businesses to be greener

If your organization wants to decrease your carbon footprint and be greener, then switching to a cloud-based virtual desktop can also help to achieve that goal.

Cloud computing saves significant amounts of energy associated with climate change, making Azure a greener choice for eco-conscious consumers.

How to get started with Azure Virtual Desktop if you’re not an IT expert

There are many convincing reasons to upgrade to cloud-PCs. That includes cost savings, strengthening your IT security, simplifying your IT hardware requirements and boosting productivity.

If you’re interested in switching over to a cloud-based solution like Azure Virtual Desktop, you don’t need expert IT skills to do that, because at NB Technology our experts can help you achieve any of your IT goals. 

Simply give us a call to discuss your needs and we can create a customized plan for your business where we help with setting up your entire team with Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop and any other tools and applications you may need. 

Our highly skilled and friendly staff are here to provide you with the advice and answers you need to set up a custom cloud solution that suits your particular needs and budget. 

We’re based in Belmont, North Carolina, and provide a suite of IT services and solutions including bespoke and managed cloud services. Contact us at (704) 644-1220 for a no obligation consultation to discuss your virtual desktop needs and any inquiries you may have.