The world changed significantly in 2020. In the wake of the global health crisis many people and organisations were forced to adopt remote working.
Organisations of all sizes have had to quickly adapt to support remote users who are required to stay connected from any location on a range of device types. This has meant providing users remote access to their corporate environment and critical applications so that they can be as productive.
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched nearly every individual, family or business on the planet and directly impacted our lives in one way or another.
To ‘flatten the curve’, reduce exposure and mitigate the loss of life, governments and businesses have issued policies to contain COVID-19 which incorporates ‘work from home’ if possible. These policies have fundamentally shifted the focus of IT in organisations and at home to meet the requirements for the shift in capacity, network, security, and governance.
Many organisations have turned to Windows Virtual Desktop to provide a remote working solution that is quickly provisioned, scalable and secure.
Windows Virtual Desktop Introduction
Windows Virtual Desktop is a fully inclusive Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) running on Microsoft Azure. It leverages Microsoft technology to simplify the management, native integration/optimisation for Microsoft 365 and the first Multi-Session Windows 10 Operating System.
Windows 10 Multi-Session
Windows 10 Multi-Session is a capability that allows for multiple concurrent interactive user sessions on one virtual server. WVD provides users with Windows 10 Multi-Session Operating Systems that are fully virtualised in Microsoft Azure that is scalable, secure and follows the Evergreen IT model.
Microsoft 365 Optimisation
Delivering the best experience when it comes to the Microsoft 365 suite, optimised, and natively integrated into the Windows 10 Multi-Session Operating System model. It provides users with the best possible experience for WVD.
Simplistic Deployment & Scaling Models
WVD allows for easier build, deployment and scaling models, allowing IT staff to administer the environment at a much lower rate of TCO, freeing up valuable time to spend on other key areas of the business. With simplified deployment and auto-scaling options, it removes the requirement to deliver overly complex deployment models and over-provisioning capacity.
Reduction in VDI Complexity & Cost
Leveraging Microsoft Azure’s Auto-Scaling features, which allows for automated provisioning and de-provisioning of resources to support peak workloads it allows for a huge reduction in operating cost within VDI.
In response to COVID-19, Microsoft has provided an opportunity to move away from legacy on-premises Virtual Desktop Infrastructure solutions, that rely heavily on traditional methods of remote access and capacity planning. And to enable the use of a more dynamic and predictable operating model when it comes to remote working.
Camwood’s WVD Services
At Camwood, we have been delivering Windows Virtual Desktop environments not only in support of the COVID-19 health crisis. But working with customers to ensure they are getting better TCO when it comes to VDI in Public Cloud.
By leveraging Auto-Scaling and Windows 10 Multi-Session we can remove the need to large Capex spend for organisations that are required to over-provision on-premises infrastructure to support peak workload times.
Integrating Microsoft 365 applications directly into the Windows 10 Multi-Session, Camwood can show the true value of VDI in the Cloud and the collaboration capabilities within the technology stack.
Building upon MSIX AppAttach, Microsoft’s flagship application deployment mechanism, it provides customers with valuable application deployment models, keeping Base Images clean – following the true Evergreen IT model and Microsoft best practises.
On-going proactive support and monitoring to ensure that the WVD environment is as productive, secure, and scalable as possible for end-users. But ensuring that customers are provided with the most cost-optimal deployment that does not hamper the user experience.
Looking to improve your organisation’s remote working set-up? Find out more about Camwood’s Windows Virtual Desktop services.
