A hosted virtual desktop, or HVD, is a complete desktop environment running as a virtual machine that leverages the compute and storage of a cloud-based server. An HVD is implemented by leveraging virtualization software from vendors, such as Microsoft, VMware, and Amazon. Business applications and data are stored on the IT infrastructure of the service provider instead of on local PCs or the company’s internal network. Users can access the applications and data exactly like they would a physical PC at their office desks. After logging into a hosted virtual desktop via a personal device, the user’s personal data and business applications, and data become completely separate, ensuring better security. Organizations’ security policies are also applicable on virtualized desktops.
Different service providers offer their own virtual desktops, management consoles, services, and support, known as a Hosted Virtual Desktop (HVD) or Desktop as a Service (DaaS). With the responsibilities of security, storage, backups, and updates shifting to the service providers, businesses can free up their staff to focus on other business-critical tasks.
Benefits of Hosted Virtual Desktops
Companies had been using traditional desktops for about three decades before the proliferation of mobile devices and the consequential growth of the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) industry and flexible work environments. The modern workplace requires companies to manage multiple devices per user and enable access to business applications anytime, anywhere. HVDs can overcome the challenges of the modern workplace and facilitate mobile workforces while optimizing cost-efficiency and employee productivity.
Some key benefits of using HVDs are lower costs, easier maintenance, smoother user experience, better security and reliability, and enhanced flexibility for remote work. Let’s explore these in more detail.
Low TCO
The most significant benefit of HVD over conventional PCs is perhaps the lower upfront and operational costs. By giving remote access to applications and storage hosted on the servers of a cloud service provider, organizations save huge capital expenditure (CapEx) costs associated with acquiring and upgrading hardware resources. Employees can access their virtual desktops easily via thin clients or personal portable devices. Companies can deploy new HVDs as needed and remove them when they are no longer required instead of buying hardware for occasional use. HVD implementations follow a pay-per-use pricing model, which allows companies to pay only for the virtual desktops that are in use.
Easy maintenance and upgrades
There’s considerably less hardware to maintain and upgrade when desktops are hosted offsite. Your HVD provider is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the cloud-based IT infrastructure. All software security updates and patches need to be installed just once on the central server instead of upgrading multiple individual devices. HVDs can also reduce the number of IT staff required for hardware upkeep.
Indistinguishable user experience
For employees, a hosted virtual desktop behaves exactly like a traditional PC with an added benefit of a consistent desktop experience across multiple endpoint devices. Each user can customize a virtual desktop’s themes and applications just as a traditional desktop. All user preferences and settings are stored, and users can start working from exactly where they left off in the previous session, regardless of the device or their physical location.
