Cloud Desktop
What Are Cloud Desktops?
Cloud desktops are an approach to end-user computing where virtual desktops and applications are hosted on cloud-based resources rather than resources in an on-premises corporate data centre. The popularity and wide use of cloud desktops increased rapidly during the COVID-19 lockdowns, however its growth and relevance continue today. The ability to offer a virtualised desktop to remote workers has allowed many organisations to fully manage and accelerate their hybrid office strategies.
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Cloud desktops allow businesses to store users' desktop environments (such as the icons, wallpaper, windows, folders, toolbars, and widgets) on a server, rather than on a local PC. This means users can access their desktop remotely via laptops, smartphones, or tablets over a network that makes it feel as if they are working off the desktop itself.
Benefits of a Cloud Desktop
Switching from the traditional one computer model to cloud desktops offers a plethora of advantages for businesses, ranging from cost savings to enhanced security. Here are the top five benefits of adopting cloud desktops:
Increased Productivity
Anywhere, anytime access directly translates to more productivity and efficiency, since employees can perform business-critical tasks from anywhere with a mobile device that is connected to the internet. Meaning employees can work from home, at a café, in the airport, or even on a plane, so long as they can connect to the internet.
Savings
Businesses can save in several ways by adopting cloud desktops. Since employees can access their desktop from any device, there is no need to provision expensive, high-performance laptops or desktops for their business use. In addition to this, overhead costs such as utilities and rent can see a reduction with the use of cloud desktops, as working from an office may no longer be necessary for some businesses.
Enhanced Security
Since business applications and data reside in the cloud rather than on a device, a lost device does not present a business threat, or a dropped or broken device used to access the cloud hosted desktop has no impact on the data and applications already stored in the cloud.
Self-Service Simplicity
Cloud desktops can be provisioned, accessed, and deprovisioned whenever needed in seconds or minutes. Instead of ordering a desktop from a manufacturer or reseller, IT teams can provision a cloud hosted desktop and have it ready for use in moments.
Increased Agility
Cloud desktops receive updates to applications and utilities automatically, no need to push updates to individual users. From a user perspective, the ability to use virtually any device to access their virtual desktop or applications means that whether they prefer PC, Mac, Mac, IOS, or Android they will see the same applications that perform in the same way and have available at their fingertips at any time.