Top 8 Benefits of Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a powerful technology that enables businesses to host desktops and applications on a remote server, allowing users to access them from any device with an internet connection.

Simply, remote employees can connect to their workspaces securely and efficiently, which has become a critical requirement in the current remote work scenario.

RDS (Remote Desktop Services) provides a centralized platform for managing and delivering applications and desktops; thus, businesses can quickly scale up or down their IT infrastructure based on their needs.

Let’s discuss the key features of RDS, so you can decide whether RDS is the right choice for your organization.

Benefits Of Remote Desktop Services (RDS) for Your Business

1. Simpler User Interface

Since RDS is implemented on a Microsoft platform, the user interface is the same as that of Windows OS. The default web interface shows the published desktops and remote applications. It means that all the users will access a similar UI, offering a seamless experience to them.

Users can access their desktops and applications from a single dashboard, which provides a consistent and intuitive user experience.

The user interface is designed to be user-friendly and requires minimal training, enabling businesses to onboard new employees quickly and efficiently. It reduces training costs and allows businesses to focus on their core operations.

Moreover, RDS provides a centralized location for managing applications and data, simplifying IT management. Administrators can manage user access and application deployment from a single console, reducing the time and resources required for IT management.

Suggested Read: VDI vs. RDS: What’s the Difference and How to Choose

2. User Experience

Implementing Remote Desktop Services helps improve the system’s performance and provides a consistent experience for all users. The users access the remote desktop through the high-performance cloud servers offered by the provider. The implementation delivers a superior solution to the devices that may or may not have the processing power to run the applications natively.

RDS provides a consistent user experience across different devices and platforms, ensuring users can access their applications and data without compatibility issues. With nativity to the Microsoft platform, it also facilitates access to applications meant for the Windows platform on non-windows systems like Android, iOS, macOS, and more. It thus enhances the features of the system and boosts its performance.

Moreover, RDS enables users to collaborate in real-time, sharing documents and data with colleagues from any location, improving collaboration and enabling teams to work more efficiently.

3. Simplified Configuration

With RDS, the configuration time for desktop configuration is relatively less for new devices. As the applications or desktops are hosted and accessed via the cloud, setting up a new device is hassle-free and does not create any time-consuming hassle. Your service provider’s IT team will take care of everything, further reducing your efforts to a great extent.

The remote desktops can be deployed within a few minutes; all you need to do is contact your RDS provider and tell them about your needs. Also, with RDS implementation, no steps and efforts are required from the end-user except for connecting to the remote applications or desktops for their work.

4. Anytime, Anywhere Remote Access

62% of workers want to work from home 100% of the time.

With Remote Desktop Services comes the flexibility to work from anywhere worldwide. The cloud servers can be accessed online; you only need valid authorization. The remote working flexibility has also helped improve the employees’ productivity, allowing them to connect to the remote server from their homes and work at their own pace.

They also have the liberty to access their remote systems at any time of the day and complete the task at hand at their convenience. RDS also allows businesses to hire remote employees across multiple locations and expand their business globally.

RDS enables businesses to control their data and applications, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access. It is important when managing remote workforces, as remote employees may use personal devices or work from unsecured locations.

5. Robust Security

Everyone is worried about data security over the cloud nowadays. RDS solves this by offering enhanced data security to the end users. Service providers provide advanced security features like the latest firewalls and antivirus, anti-ransomware, anti-hacking systems, and more.

Also, the data transmission from the remote servers to the end-user client software uses an advanced level of encryption and securing the data during the transmission. It minimizes any chances of hacking or data loss during the transmission possible with standard computing.

RDS uses robust encryption protocols to secure remote connections, ensuring that data transmitted between the server and client devices is secure. RDS also enables businesses to implement role-based access control (RBAC), limiting access to sensitive data and applications to authorized personnel only. Additionally, RDS leverages virtualization technology to create a secure sandboxed environment for running applications, isolating them from the underlying operating system and preventing malware from spreading.

6. Cost Efficient

RDS implementation offers a cost-saving solution to businesses. It enables companies to allow their employees to work remotely or implement the BYOD policy. Both these cases enable the employees to use their personal devices for office work. As a result, companies can provide them with something other than desktops/laptops, as everything is available on the cloud.

With RDS, businesses can use low-cost, thin client devices or repurpose existing hardware, eliminating the need for expensive desktops or laptops. Additionally, RDS enables businesses to reduce software licensing costs by pooling licenses and distributing them based on usage, resulting in significant cost savings.

Moreover, RDS helps businesses optimize their IT infrastructure, reducing the need for expensive hardware upgrades and replacements. It can lead to significant cost savings and enables companies to redirect resources towards core business operations.

Also Read: VPN vs. RDS vs. VDI – Choosing the Best Remote Solution

7. Scalable Infrastructure

With RDS, businesses can easily scale their IT or VDI infrastructure up or down based on their needs. It means that as your business grows, you can add more resources to support it without investing in additional hardware.

Depending on their current needs, RDS enables businesses to scale their infrastructure by adding or removing resources, such as virtual desktops or applications. This process is quick and easy; companies can deploy new resources in minutes rather than days or weeks.

Second, RDS enables businesses to add or remove server resources based on their needs. It means adding more RAM, CPU, and storage to your servers as needed without purchasing new servers. For example, if a business needs to support a sudden influx of employees or customers, RDS can quickly provide additional resources to handle the increased demand.

8. Reduced and Minimized Hardware Costs

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) offer an excellent opportunity for businesses to cut down on their hardware expenses. By adopting RDS, companies can drastically reduce their hardware costs and extend the lifespan of their existing devices.

With RDS, businesses can purchase inexpensive desktops or laptops for their employees. Instead, they can leverage low-cost, thin client devices or repurpose their existing hardware, saving money and reducing the amount of e-waste businesses generate.

Moreover, RDS helps businesses optimize resource utilization, lowering hardware requirements. Since desktops and applications are hosted on a remote server, the hardware only needs to support the remote connection, which requires fewer resources than running the applications locally. Thus, RDS reduces the need for expensive hardware upgrades and replacements, resulting in significant business cost savings.

Furthermore, RDS can help businesses reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. By hosting their desktops and applications on a remote server, businesses can reduce the power consumption of their devices, resulting in significant energy savings and a lower environmental impact.

How to Set Up Remote Desktop Services (RDS)?

Setting up remote desktop services (RDS) for your business requires careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition to a remote work environment.

Here are the steps to follow when setting up RDS:

Identify your business requirements:

Determine the number of users, applications, and resources you need to support to determine the server and hardware requirements.

Choose the right RDS deployment option:

Decide whether to deploy RDS on-premises or in the cloud.

Set up the RDS environment:

Install and configure the necessary components, including the Remote Desktop Session Host, Remote Desktop Gateway, and Remote Desktop Connection Broker.

Configure RDS security:

Secure your RDS environment by enabling firewall settings, configuring user permissions, and implementing multi-factor authentication.

Install and configure applications:

Install and configure the necessary applications for your users to access remotely.

Test and validate the RDS environment:

Test and validate the RDS environment to meet your business requirements and user needs.

Deploy RDS to your users:

Roll out the RDS environment to your users and provide them with the necessary documentation and support to ensure a seamless transition to remote work.

By following these steps, you can set up a reliable and secure remote desktop services environment for your business, allowing your employees to work remotely easily and efficiently.

Ready to Deploy Remote Desktop Services?

The shift towards remote workspaces is a trend that is expected to continue in the future. Businesses that adopt remote desktop services (RDS) can reap numerous benefits, including scalability, cost savings, and a simple user interface. While Remote Desktop Services have limitations, it is still valuable technology for businesses requiring a remote work environment.

Moreover, when managing RDS, opting for a managed service provider can provide businesses with the necessary support and expertise to ensure their remote work environment runs smoothly and efficiently. ACE as your managed remote desktop provider, can help your business overcome any challenges you may face while utilizing RDS, providing a secure, reliable, and customizable IT environment.

Therefore, for businesses looking to adopt remote workspaces, remote desktop services should be a serious consideration, especially when managing a secure and efficient remote work environment as a managed service.