Providing remote access to applications and data is crucial in today’s fast-paced business environment. Citrix Hosted Desktops is a popular solution allowing organizations to securely deliver virtual desktops and applications from the cloud.
With Citrix Hosted Desktops, users can access their virtual desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device, without compromising performance or security.
At its core, Citrix Hosted Desktops is a cloud-based desktop virtualization solution that delivers a complete desktop experience to users. It allows businesses to create and manage virtual desktops and applications and make them available to end-users over the Internet.
Instead of installing software and applications on individual devices, Citrix Hosted Desktops centralizes managing and delivering these resources from the cloud.
Citrix Hosted Desktops is an ideal solution for businesses looking to provide secure, remote access to their workforce, reduce IT costs, and improve productivity. In the following sections, we’ll explore the benefits of Citrix Cloud and why it’s becoming the go-to choice for many organizations.
What Is Citrix Hosted Desktops?
Hosted Citrix desktops are virtual desktops that run on a Citrix server and can be customized and managed by a service provider
Citrix Hosted Desktops is a cloud-based virtualization solution that provides end-users with a secure, consistent, and responsive desktop experience. It is built on top of the Citrix Cloud platform, which offers various services for managing and delivering virtual applications and desktops.
At the heart of Citrix Hosted Desktops is the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service, which allows businesses to create, manage, and deliver virtual desktops and applications from a centralized location. This service runs on top of virtualization technology such as Citrix Hypervisor (formerly XenServer) or Microsoft Hyper-V, which provides the foundation for creating virtual machines that host virtual desktops and applications.
From an end-user perspective, Citrix Hosted Desktops provides a desktop experience like a traditional desktop environment, with access to various applications and resources. The difference is that the desktop is hosted in the cloud and accessed remotely from any device with an internet connection. In contrast, Managed Hosted Vit providers manage desktops and provide them to end users.
The managed service provider offers a hosted unit with pre-installed apps and a Windows experience.
Your IT team is only responsible for managing in-house IT, PCs, access control, and on-premises security. Thus, it offers advanced feasibility, high productivity, and increased operational efficiency.
Here’s the quick start guide to understanding how Citrix Hosted Desktops benefit small, medium, and large enterprises.
Top 9 Benefits of Hosted Citrix Desktops
With businesses increasingly looking for ways to enable remote work and streamline IT operations, hosted Citrix desktops have emerged as a popular solution for delivering virtual desktops and applications from the cloud. By leveraging the power of Citrix Cloud, businesses can create a secure, scalable, and cost-effective virtualization environment that meets the needs of their workforce.
Here are some of the features of hosted Citrix desktops:
1. Seamless Experience Similar to Windows Desktops:
Hosted Citrix desktops are designed to provide a seamless experience to users. From the look and feel to the smooth accessibility, these virtual desktops are similar to Windows desktops, making the transition to hosted Citrix desktops easy for employees without any significant changes to their daily work routine.
2. Hassle-Free Management:
Managed Citrix desktops are offered as a comprehensive solution that includes OS patching, upgrades, and overall infrastructure management. Your IT team doesn’t need to worry about managing the infrastructure, allowing them to focus on other essential tasks. Additionally, with easy migration to the cloud, businesses can streamline their operations and reduce their overall IT expenses.
3. No Upfront Costs:
Managed Citrix desktops don’t have any capital expenses. The managed VDI provider set up the entire IT infrastructure for VDI. You don’t need to spend money on management, security, and upgrades.
You receive high-end, high-performance servers with advanced storage infrastructure. You only need to start using virtual units; everything else is maintained and upgraded by the cloud service provider.
Further, the best physical desktops to use for virtual desktops are the ones you already have in your organization. Therefore, there’s no need to spend money on the physical hardware of the office, which adds up to Citrix server costs.
4. Flexibility at its Best:
Citrix Hosted Desktops offer flexible usage for the following reasons:
- You can scale your resources, including RAM and storage, and upgrade your configuration as per the requirements of your business. It is also possible to de-scale these resources whenever required.
- The payment model for managed desktops usually includes a pay-as-you-go model. It allows you to reduce overall costs and flexibly manage your office desktops.
6. Advanced Security Features
Security is a top priority for businesses, and Citrix Hosted Desktops provide multi-layer security features to protect business-critical applications.
With the help of Citrix Virtual Apps, managed desktops acquire a multi-layer security architecture, including the following:
- TLS 1.3 and 256-bit encryption
- OS patching, IP filtering, and management
- Access control
- Multiple-factor authentication
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention system
- Antivirus upgrades
- DDoS protection
7. 99.99% Uptime for Data Access
Citrix Hosted Desktops provide maximum uptime and a 99.99% uptime guarantee for data and app access. It is achieved through geographically isolated redundant servers and fault-tolerant systems replicating data and virtual machines to multiple servers. With this uptime, businesses can ensure their employees can access critical applications and data when needed.
8. Disaster Recovery Made Easy with Built-in Backup
Citrix-hosted desktops offer you 30-day backup support for your devices to store data on redundant backup servers, improving recovery feasibility.
During a disaster or mistake, you can restore your data whenever possible. For example, a flood wiped your offices. You can restore data at any point without any challenges.
Similarly, if an employee deletes a data file accidentally, you can restore it to a backup image.
9. Customized Solution for Your Business Needs
No two businesses are the same, and Citrix Hosted Desktops can be customized to meet the specific needs of your business. By working with a managed services provider, businesses can explain their requirements and receive custom virtual desktops that meet their particular needs. Businesses can take advantage of the benefits of hosted Citrix desktops while ensuring the solution is tailored to their unique requirements.
Components of Citrix Hosted Desktops
Citrix Hosted Desktops are designed to provide a feature-rich and user-friendly virtual desktop experience. Some of the key components that add value to the user experience include:
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Desktop Delivery Controller:
The Desktop Delivery Controller (DDC) is the central management component of the Citrix Hosted Desktop infrastructure. It manages the virtual desktops and delivers them to end-users based on their access permissions and preferences.
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Citrix Receiver:
Citrix Receiver is a software application enabling end-users to access virtual desktops from any device or location. It provides a consistent and optimized user experience across different platforms and devices.
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HDX Technology:
HDX technology is a set of advanced features that optimize the virtual desktop experience for end-users. It includes high-definition video and audio, multimedia redirection, USB device support, and more.
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Citrix Workspace:
Citrix Workspace is a cloud-based digital workspace that enables end-users to access all their applications, data, and desktops from a single unified interface. It simplifies the user experience and enhances productivity by eliminating the need for multiple logins and interfaces.
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App Layering:
App Layering is a technology that enables IT administrators to manage and deploy applications more efficiently and flexibly. It separates the applications from the underlying operating system, making it easier to update and manage them separately.
By leveraging these components, Citrix Hosted Desktops provide a secure, flexible, and feature-rich virtual desktop experience that meets the needs of modern organizations and their end-users.
Choosing the Right Provider for Hosted Citrix Desktops
When selecting a provider for hosted Citrix desktops, many factors must be considered. From pricing to service level agreements, weighing your options and finding the best provider that meets your organization’s needs is essential. In this section, we’ll examine some key considerations when selecting a provider.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Service level agreements (SLAs) are critical when choosing a provider for hosted Citrix desktops. An SLA is a contract between the provider and the customer outlining the service level that will be provided. It’s important to carefully review the SLA to ensure that it meets your organization’s needs. Look for providers that offer high levels of uptime and availability, as well as fast response times for support issues.
Pricing
Pricing is another key consideration when selecting a provider for hosted Citrix desktops. Look for providers that offer transparent pricing and don’t charge hidden fees. Some providers offer a pay-as-you-go model, while others require a long-term commitment. Consider your organization’s budget and choose a provider that offers pricing that fits within it.
Security
Security is of the utmost importance when it comes to Hosted Citrix desktops. Look for providers that offer robust security features, such as encryption, access controls, and intrusion detection and prevention. It’s also important to ensure the provider complies with industry standards, such as HIPAA and PCI.
Support
Support is another important consideration when selecting a provider for hosted Citrix desktops. Look for providers that offer 24/7 support and multiple channels for contacting them, such as phone, email, and chat. Ensuring the provider has a good track record when resolving support issues is important.
Choosing the right provider for Hosted Citrix desktops is critical to the success of your organization. Considering these factors, you can find a provider that meets your organization’s needs and provides a high-quality user experience.
Upgrade Your Business with ACE Managed Hosted Citrix Desktops
ACE is the service provider you can trust for Citrix Hosted desktops. With our expertise in providing comprehensive managed services, we offer hosted desktops powered by Citrix that meet all your business requirements.
Our solutions provide secure, flexible, and customizable options that can help you increase productivity and streamline your business operations. So why wait? Contact us today for 7-Day Free Trial and let us help you take your business to new heights with our cutting-edge hosted Citrix desktops!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosted Citrix Desktops
When you first start using managed DaaS services, you may have a series of questions in mind. Here are the answers to a few of them.
What is the Difference in the Experience of Windows Desktops and Hosted Citrix Desktops?
There’s practically no difference between hosted Citrix desktops and Windows desktops. Like Windows installed on your office desktops, hosted Citrix desktops have the same experience. Your employees won’t face issues accessing Citrix virtual desktops. Just one day of training would be sufficient. Post the training; your employees only need to sign into the server, confirm their access controls, and start using virtual hosted desktops.
Why Should You Use Citrix Hosted Desktops?
There are many benefits attached to Citrix Hosted Desktops. It includes:
- Virtual resource management
- Seamless desktop virtualization
- On-demand scalability
- Advanced security
- High uptime; more than 99.99%
How Can Citrix Hosted Desktops Help My Business?
Hosted Citrix desktops are designed for sustainability and low-cost management. You can centrally store data, manage desktops from one access point, and secure your devices from cyber threats. It helps businesses reduce capital expenses, improve security, and enhance collaboration.
How Does the Right Cloud-Hosted Provider Improve Experience of Hosted Citrix Desktops?
The right Hosted Citrix Desktops offer you multiple features:
- 24/7 customer support
- Unique customizations
- Seamless upscaling/downscaling
- Pay-as-you-go model
- DRaaS support
- 30-day free Backup
The right cloud provider will offer you a high-performance experience via SSAE-16 Tier 3++ and Tier 4 data centers.
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