Azure Virtual Desktop: Modern solution for desktop and application virtualization

Unlock the Full Potential of Your M365 Licenses with Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop) is a desktop and application virtualization service running in the Microsoft Azure cloud. One of the key advantages of AVD is the ability to make full use of Microsoft 365 licenses, which include access to this service. Employees can work in a full Windows environment with access to all their applications and files.

Benefits of Moving to Azure

Transitioning to Azure Virtual Desktop brings numerous benefits to organizations. Here are some of the main advantages you can expect:

• Work from anywhere: Azure Virtual Desktop enables employees from remote offices, retail branches, and call centers to securely access company resources. With AVD, your team can work anytime, anywhere — improving flexibility and productivity. This makes it easy to support globally distributed teams and remote work.
• Enhanced security and data protection: Azure Virtual Desktop provides built-in intelligent security to protect your applications and data. You can easily meet PCI compliance and safeguard sensitive information such as customer payment data. AVD represents a more secure alternative to traditional RDS, offering you greater control over your digital environment.
• Reduced costs and simplified management: With AVD, you pay only for what you use. This helps optimize costs related to infrastructure, licensing, hardware, deployment, and management. Thanks to easy image and virtual machine management in Azure, overall administration is simplified — allowing you to focus on your business instead of maintaining infrastructure.
• Scalability and flexibility: Azure Virtual Desktop gives your organization scalable, flexible infrastructure. Using multi-session Windows 11 or Windows 10 virtual machines, you can easily adjust capacity and resources to match business needs. Respond to change quickly — your employees will always have the computing power they need.
• Performance and reliability: AVD delivers high performance and reliability, powered by Azure’s global data centers and scalable infrastructure. This minimizes downtime and ensures high availability. Your employees enjoy a consistent and dependable Windows experience — improving productivity and satisfaction.

Azure Virtual Desktop: Powerful Desktop Virtualization for the Modern Workforce

Azure Virtual Desktop is a modern desktop and application virtualization solution with a wide range of benefits. It supports globally distributed teams with enhanced security, helps reduce costs, and simplifies management. It also offers scalability and high performance. Moving to AVD is a strategic step toward improving workforce productivity, strengthening security, and modernizing your digital workplace.

Managing Azure Virtual Desktop Components: Microsoft vs. User Responsibilities

Microsoft manages the following Azure Virtual Desktop components:

• Web Access
• Gateway
• Connection Broker
• Diagnostics
• Control Plane Components

As an Azure Virtual Desktop user, you manage these components:

• Azure Virtual Network
• Azure Active Directory
• Active Directory Domain Services (optional)
• Azure Virtual Desktop session hosts
• Azure Virtual Desktop workspace

These components allow you to customize and manage your AVD environment according to your organization’s needs. You maintain full control over configuration and settings, enabling you to optimize performance, security, and efficiency. Managing these elements gives you the flexibility to tailor Azure Virtual Desktop to best fit your business goals and operational requirements.

Conclusion

Azure Virtual Desktop is a powerful desktop and application virtualization solution that offers many advantages over traditional Remote Desktop Services. With AVD, you can fully leverage your M365 licenses, simplify management, and achieve high availability while reducing costs. By moving to the cloud, you gain improved security, easier management, and scalability for your organization. Explore the capabilities of AVD and take advantage of its benefits to enhance your digital workplace.