In mid-March the greater New York area closed all non-essential businesses and went into lockdown, shortly followed by the rest of the country. The Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the way companies operate, with a majority of employees now working remotely. Whether that be from home or a beach house is insignificant but ensuring that they have secure access to company data regardless of location is.
With the workforce inhibited by new regulations from the state in addition to the fear of the populous, the transition to a virtual desktop solution is a critical next step. This post will discuss a Virtual Desktop as a Service (VDaaS). In other words, how to manage remote desktops to mitigate the impact of the pandemic for companies.
What is a Virtual Desktop?
A virtual desktop is a workstation that is hosted on a remote server and managed by the user’s IT provider. A virtual desktop solution enables users to securely access that workstation via a secure internet connection from their remote device. It is part of a Managed Secure Cloud Desktop Service which means that all of the desktops resources are located in the cloud and are managed by the IT service provider. Users rent a virtual desktop from an IT provider that takes over the responsibility for maintaining and keeping your desktop running which is widely known as a hosted solution. In essence, users gain all the capabilities of their work desktops from the comfort of their homes.
Benefits of VDaaS
- Secure Mobility
Overall, security is important and a big focus for companies as they forge onward into this unknown age. Users might be skeptical that a virtual desktop can be secure since 70% of all security breaches still originate at endpoints like personal devices, according to the International Data Corporation. This is a valid concern since users store their sensitive information locally on their device, however, this is not the case with a virtual desktop. Sensitive information from the virtual desktop is stored in the cloud so even if your device is lost or stolen the information is still protected. Using a personal device brings the freedom of being able to use it anywhere with an internet connection and combining a user’s device with virtual desktop keeps their data secure in the cloud.
- Flexibility
Employees can work using their virtual desktop solution from anywhere with a secure internet connection and there is no need for a VPN. If a device is lost, security is not compromised. Users can use another device and have the same access to all of their files, data, and applications. Additionally, the service is flexible in terms of scaling, meaning that expanding or reducing users can be customized depending on the needs of individual companies. A direct result of this customization is that the use of the company resources can be optimized. The versatility of a Virtual Desktop makes it a strong addition to the work environment of any company, especially when employees have to recreate a productive work environment in their home office.
- Simple and Effective
A virtual desktop has features that make work easier for companies and employees alike. One such feature is centralized device maintenance. This allows remote updates for both the operating system & applications of all the desktops on a network. Centralized device maintenance is an efficient alternative to manually updating each device on-site.
Another feature called “Linked Clones” allows an administrative party to generate unique user profiles based on a master model given to the company. Since these generated desktops are copies there is a reduced storage cost. The master model is shared by all the users which makes tasks such as deployment or software and operating systems updates simpler. The virtual desktop service also encourages productivity among employees since it creates a distinct divide between home life and work life. It is a solution that simply and effectively connects employees to their companies in a way that can be collectively monitored or updated.
- A Proactive Solution
There is no way to predict whether or not there will be another pandemic, some natural disaster, or any other cause for employees to work from home. Creating proactive solutions as opposed to reactive ones that can help mitigate the impact of such tragedies is invaluable. The ability for companies to seamlessly transition from operating in their office to working remotely at a moment’s notice can save precious time and resources. Although these measures are being put in place as a consequence of recent events, they will nonetheless serve to help the economy in the future.
Ultimately, the continued growth and success of companies depend on the ability of their workforce to do their jobs, to do them comfortably, and to do them securely. Virtual Desktop as a Service embodies this principle through its flexibility for users and companies alike with a wide array of benefits for all parties involved. Since this solution can manage remote desktops, it is a customized, secure, and efficient way for businesses to advance themselves in the age of Covid-19.
