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5 minutes read

Understanding Desktop Virtualization and Its Impacts on Your Organization 

By Robert Kazmi
By Robert Kazmi
App Development
5 minutes read

Desktop virtualization has revolutionized the delivery of the desktop environment for users and organizations. As a result, many organizations are adopting a virtual desktop infrastructure internally. 

Virtual desktops provide flexibility, efficiency, and security that the traditional desktop environment cannot match. There are several ways to achieve desktop virtualization, and the type of virtual desktop best suited to your business depends on your organization’s goals and needs. 

This post will explain what desktop virtualization is, the different types of desktop virtualization, and the benefits associated with a virtual desktop infrastructure. 

What Is Desktop Virtualization? 

Desktop virtualization decouples a user’s device and operating system (OS). A virtual desktop is a software-based version of an operating system and desktop environment. 

Virtual desktops enable employees to access enterprise resources on any network-connected computer, tablet, or smartphone, regardless of their device’s operating system. 

Organizations that are interested in desktop virtualization have three primary ways to provide employees with a virtual desktop:

  • Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
  • Remote desktop services (RDS)
  • Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDl)

In the VDI desktop virtualization deployment model, the operating system runs on a virtual machine (VM) hosted in a data center. Employees access the virtual desktop through the network and are able to interact with the desktop images and programs as if they were locally installed.

The VDI approach to desktop virtualization grants each user their own VM running its own operating system. One of the vital benefits of VDI desktop virtualization is that it enables organizations to deliver the Windows 10 desktop and operating system to any user device. 

However, your organization should understand that VDI desktop virtualization only supports one user per Windows 10 instance. As a result, your organization will need a separate VM for every user accessing a Windows 10 instance. 

Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

RDS desktop virtualization is sometimes referred to as Remote Desktop Session Host. This desktop virtualization deployment model enables users to access Windows applications and desktops through the Microsoft Windows Server

Employees in your organization would not be able to tell the difference between RDS and VDI desktop virtualization deployments. However, RDS might be more attractive to your organization than VDI because a single instance of Windows server can support as many users as the server hardware can handle. 

As a result, organizations that want to use Windows 10 will find RDS the more cost-effective desktop virtualization solution to VDI. 

Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

The DaaS desktop virtualization approach involves cloud-based virtual machines provided by a third party. DaaS virtual desktops are easy to scale and offer more flexibility than on-premise virtual desktop options. 

In addition, the DaaS desktop virtualization approach tends to deploy faster than the other popular options covered in this post. DaaS virtual desktops enjoy the benefits of cloud computing such as:

  • Usage-based pricing 
  • Scalable storage 
  • Access through any Internet-connected device

However, organizations might not have as much custom control over DaaS virtual desktops as the other remote desktop virtualization deployment options covered here. 

The Benefits of Desktop Virtualization 

Desktop virtualization solutions are beneficial to organizations in several ways. Depending on the deployment option you choose, benefits could vary slightly, but the important benefits of desktop virtualization to highlight are:

  • Cost savings 
  • Reduced IT workload 
  • More secure 
  • Increased productivity

Cost Savings 

Desktop virtualization can help your organization control costs and save money. Virtual desktops don’t require as much processing power as the traditional desktop alternative. 

As a result, virtualization can help your organization extend the life of its devices. In addition, desktop virtualization eradicates the limitations of native operating systems. Now that any device can access the desktop, your business can save money by encouraging users to use their own devices for work without worrying if they will be compatible with software tools. 

Cloud-based DaaS solutions can save your organization even more money since it will only pay for the computing resources it uses. 

Reduced IT Workload 

Desktop virtualization drastically reduces the stress put on your organization’s IT department. For one, virtual desktops are delivered from a central server, making upkeep and security simpler. 

In addition, IT teams won’t have to spend as much time configuring individual devices for team members. Instead, they can create VM templates based on position, security clearance, etc., and deliver everything an employee needs directly to their computer. 

No longer will IT professionals have to spend time updating and configuring apps on every organizational device freeing up a lot of time. 

More Secure 

Virtual desktops offer your organization greater control over security. Since the desktop and operating system is abstracted and separated from the hardware running it, organizations have tighter central control over security.

In addition, lost and stolen devices pose less of a threat because nothing is actually stored on the hardware itself. A virtual desktop can quickly be removed from a device in the event it is compromised. 

Plus, if employees decide to leave the company or get fired, their access can be revoked without having to collect the computer or device to remove the software. 

Increased Productivity 

Desktop virtualization can make your teams more productive. Thanks to desktop virtualization, employees can access their work from anywhere on any device as long as they have an Internet connection.

An agile and flexible workforce leads to great productivity for your organization. Even if employees have to travel, they can still handle their daily responsibilities. 

Final Thoughts 

Desktop virtualization can help your organization improve its productivity, security, and reduce its IT workload, all while helping it reduce costs. If you want to learn more about desktop virtualization and which deployment method is best suited for your organization’s needs, reach out to an experienced team of IT professionals like Koombea.

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