How to Leverage Hosted Desktops Successfully

By CRA | March 22, 2016 | 0

This is the second blog in a two-part series touching on VDI and DaaS solutions and why a business would implement one over the other. Missed our first post? Find it here.

In our first post, we introduce the basics of VDI and DaaS as well as a couple scenarios where a business would implement one over the other. Let’s briefly recap: Virtualized Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) or Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is the process of hosting a “desktop” within a VM (Virtual Machine) located on a centralized server or servers. Applications and resources are published on these centralized servers and are made available via the internet.

Since you have a basic understanding of what VDI and DaaS are from the first post, we will elaborate more on when you should choose VDI or DaaS. Still not sure the difference between the two? Read our white paper to get a better understanding.

Balance your options

While both DaaS and VDI are great options to improve mobility, security, and reduce your IT overhead, it is important that a business implements the correct solution. When committing to one or the other, there are few points you have to keep in mind:

When a DaaS solution is right for you 

DaaS is a great option for businesses that demand agility and flexibility from their end-users.

Travelers or telecommuters are constantly in need of improving their productivity. With a cloud-based desktop, they will have the ability to access the same information regardless of where they are – not to mention from any device. The only thing that can hinder your access to your work desktop in the field is your internet connection. With a good internet connection, you are now free to work about the country.

Another critical reason a business would choose DaaS over VDI is space or a reduction of onsite infrastructure. For example, in New York City, office space could be an issue. DaaS is great for businesses that have limited office space and cannot afford to add an on-premise server environment. The cost saving from power, infrastructure, and management can be reallocated to other areas of the business that can better facilitate growth.

DaaS works well in environments where IT is not a strong suit. With DaaS, businesses do not have to build out an internal network, configure, and manage it. Many of the cloud-hosted applications are easier to deploy, troubleshot and manage since a third party vendor would be in charge of underlying infrastructure. If your business has experience with cloud environments, the transition to DaaS will be an easier one.

 When a VDI solution is the best choice

One of the major concerns amongst business owners lies in the control over where their information is hosted and who has access to it. VDI provides more control over your information because no one else, but management, has access the server environment.

In some industries, personalization of their systems is critical for everyday tasks. Since VDI is implemented and maintained internally, it provides businesses with the ability to customize certain aspects according to their end users’ needs, providing a better end-user experience. Also, if your business has legacy applications, these applications may not function correctly in a cloud-based infrastructure (DaaS). For example, a retail store might need a customized POS application with a legacy database. This database runs over Windows Server 2003 which many DaaS providers do not support. Therefore, depending on how specific your IT needs or how sensitive your applications are, VDI might be the best choice.

Do you have to choose?

Due to market demands, vendors have been able to accommodate their services, so businesses owners can opt to have both options simultaneously, helping with the hard decision-making process.

How DaaS and VDI work together...

Depending on the applications you need to run for your business, you can add DaaS to VDI. The scalability that these solutions combined offer can maximize the end user productivity and experience.  A good reason to combine the two, for example, is when your VDI storage is running out of space, you could publish some of the applications to a cloud-based desktop. Remember the retail store example? Even though this store has customized applications for the POS system, they can deploy common applications to a cloud-based desktop to free up some space, improving the registers speed.

Overall, there are different options for hosted desktops that can accommodate your business’s needs. DaaS could work great if you have more experience working with the cloud and third party vendors. However, if your business needs a more private environment, VDI can give you full control over your information. The best thing is you don’t have to worry about making the wrong choice. You can leave everything to the experts.

CRA has developed a solution that integrates the best of both VDI and DaaS. Connect was created based on CRA’s 25 years’ experience helping support and managed clients technology. Taking into account the needs and requirements of their clients, CRA has created a service offering that makes their life easier. Connect offers simplified management, scalability, and enhanced data security with minimum administrative maintenance.

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