Cloud desktops are the modern approach to end-user computing where virtual desktops and applications are hosted on cloud-based servers rather than an on-premise data center. Also referred to as Desktop as a service (DaaS), it creates a unique desktop environment for the end user, accessed from anywhere, on any device over a stable network.
With rising remote work adoption over the last few years, the cloud desktop market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18% by 2029.
Enterprises are looking for ultimate agility, flexibility, and secure cloud solutions that can support a hybrid work model. Cloud PC solution is one of them.
Cloud PCs go beyond desktop virtualization technology by offering turnkey flexibility and security with an array of other features for end users. They support a wide range of business use cases and are deployed within minutes. Cloud PCs allow users to take advantage of remote working with a consistent user experience. Additionally, enterprises go for managed cloud desktop solutions to leverage manageability benefits while having secure remote access to their workforce.
How Do Cloud PCs Work?
Cloud desktops utilize a desktop virtualization platform to deliver applications and desktops to various endpoints running in different geographies.
In Cloud PC, the creation and management of multiple instances take place in a data center. The desktop virtualization infrastructure manages the configuration in cloud environments and provides a gateway to secure access, intercepting the commands sent to the underlying hardware. It enables multiple endpoints to provide access to virtual desktops or applications. The remote protocol and underlying infrastructure abstract the data and share it with user endpoints. An endpoint can be a laptop, desktop, or smartphone.
Simply, the remote protocol establishes a connection that routes user data to the virtual desktop. As cloud desktops perform just like physical desktops, they utilize their own configuration comprising of RAM, vCPUs, and storage to run on multiple operating systems. The significant difference in cloud desktops. Cloud PCs are different because here, the infrastructure is hosted in third-party data centers and managed by a cloud service provider.
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What Are the Benefits of Cloud PC?
Enabling hybrid work is crucial for many enterprises focused on business continuity and employee productivity. Cloud desktops offer various benefits to both employers and employees.
Cloud PCs reinforce flexibility with remote access, allowing IT to provide secure desktops on various endpoints from any location. Here, the provider upholds centralized management of resources. Additionally, firms acquire uninterrupted access to corporate resources so that a workforce can operate round the clock.
While users have the flexibility to work on any device, they can have a consistent experience every time they log in, enhancing their productivity.
Since cloud PCs are simply virtual emulation, they support multiple users with a parent virtual machine (VM). This economizes scalability for the organizations that need to spin up desktops rapidly without procuring physical computers. Deploying Cloud PC spreads the capital costs into multiple operating expenses. This implies that enterprises only pay for the resources they consume at that time. The consumption-based model enables firms to turn off the resources that are no longer in need, thus eliminating related expenses.
Here are some additional advantages that cloud desktops bring to firms:
Meets The Needs of Modern Workforce:
A modern digital workspace is built by incorporating seamless and one-click access to corporate resources from anywhere. Cloud PCs make the transformation of in-office to hybrid models easier than ever. Anywhere, anytime access is correlated to employee needs, further impacting their productivity.
Cloud PCs simplify workflows, and employees can perform business-critical tasks from home, office desk, cafeteria, or airport with just an internet-compatible device to be productive.
Accelerates IT Modernization
As enterprises embrace hybrid work models, IT efficiency is always on the radar. Cloud PCs offer a centrally managed environment wherein the IT team can rapidly provision, access, and de-provision them. IT administrators can patch, update, configure, and implement policies for all cloud desktops across the deployment.
Ace Cloud Hosting manages on-premises virtualization acquisitions alongside new cloud deployments for the quickest transition to cloud desktop infrastructure. Thanks to streamlined management and hassle-free deployment, cloud PCs accelerate IT modernization.
Seamlessly Integrated Employee Experience
Hybrid work is here to stay. From a user’s perspective, having a fast and high-definition digital workspace via cloud desktop solution opens the door to full-time productivity, supporting them to perform at their best. Cloud PCs offer a seamless and connected IT platform to employees, whether onsite or off. Creating a seamless IT platform with cloud desktops allows the workforce to collaborate via chat, calls, and videos over any network.
Multi-layered And Adaptive Security Policies
New Cloud Security Alliance Survey finds that 67% of organizations have already implemented a public cloud environment to store sensitive data. It’s no longer up for debate — data security is a critical piece of the puzzle. As enterprises evaluate dynamic stakeholders’ demands in their hybrid work plans, how does data security fit in?
IT leaders also recognize the need to think carefully about security policies, zero trust approach, BYOD, and disaster recovery, understanding that security breaches have taken a toll in the last few years. 2021 has recorded the highest number of security breaches which has increased by 17 percent to stand at 1,291.
In this scenario, having a policy-driven security approach is remarkable, followed by disaster recovery plans. Additionally, zero trust policies protect data and reduce the risk of data exploitation. In this case, a lost or defective device doesn’t act as a threat, as the cloud PC can be accessed from any endpoint device.
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What Are the Use Cases of Cloud Desktops?
You need a secure, cloud-enabled digital workspace
In this global business scenario, 9 out of 10 companies are planning to embrace a hybrid workplace model. Enterprises need to reinvent strategies such as face-to-face meetings, company-wide emails, and offsites —to capitalize on the business-critical advantages it can drive.
Cloud hosted desktops are a great transition to gain a competitive edge by making sure that all workers are productive, no matter on which device or network they work. But this transition comes with its fair share of challenges, too. Employees need consistent user experience and robust security protocols.
With cloud PCs from ACE, enterprises can give every employee a secure, consistent digital workspace experience from anywhere. Considering hybrid workforce needs, firms need high-security policies as employees work on networks that may not be secure. Any interruption such as overloaded networks or internet outages can significantly impact employee productivity and engagement. ACE cloud desktops offer HDX and GPU-intensive experience on any device. Users can stream HD video without latency even over mobile networks.
You have a mobile workforce
American Freelancers contribute $1.2 trillion to the economy This implies that freelancing is such a critical aspect of the workforce that it can’t be avoided for long.
Having a mobile workforce has become a part of enterprise processes. Even for a startup or a mid-level enterprise, the major challenge is to provide on-demand access to business resources.
Therefore, Cloud PCs are here to get new users up and operate within minutes, without additional expenses and complexity, and de-provision when not needed. With utmost scalability, firms can add or remove users without additional costs and time. From contracting accountants during tax season to hiring freelancers— cloud desktops let you efficiently leverage apps and desktops on the cloud.
You are getting ready to implement the BCDR protocol
Desktop virtualization has revolutionized the way every enterprise looks forward to business continuity. A decade ago, expensive servers held business data which has now moved to cloud servers. And this transition impacts not only the way work is done but also how data is accessed. 51% of firms had no business continuity plans before the pandemic. As a matter of fact, 40% of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) never reopen after a natural disaster.
Cloud PCs can successfully address these challenges. ACE’s managed cloud desktops come with rolling backups and business continuity plans that let you easily establish hybrid work. A hybrid workforce can have the resources and information they need for their task while working from a remote location. With multi-layered security, enterprises can benefit from added layers of protection against malware, breaches, and other cybersecurity threats.
For instance:
- Multi-factor authentication to make login simple, safe, and identifiable
- Stringent policies to protect your virtual desktop over unsecured networks
How secure is your data with cloud desktops? Know about Cloud desktops security features
What is the Difference Between On-premises And Cloud Desktops?
ACE cloud desktops reduce complexities associated with remote access and IT. As organizations transition to a hybrid cloud environment, cloud desktops give an upper hand in managing the infrastructure. In contrast, on-premise desktops demand in-house governance by IT personnel.
Cloud desktops and underlying infrastructure don’t demand periodic maintenance costs and are managed by third-party providers. But their physical counterparts need significant hardware investments and greater storage. Malware in on-premise desktops can lead to data loss.
Cloud desktops are not bound by any device, thereby offering high-level scalability and flexibility to users. With a cloud PC, you don’t have to invest big in utility infrastructure and storage; it’s a subscription-based model where you pay only for what you use. But physical desktops are way more expensive than cloud desktops and warrant high CapEx.
Also Read: VDI Deployment – On-premises or On the Cloud
The Bottom Line: It’s Time to Create a Modern Workspace with ACE’s Cloud PC
Today more and more employees are working remotely; some are seasonal, and others are freelancers. To manage this hybrid work environment and employee productivity, businesses need a robust way to centralize everything under one cloud. That’s where Cloud PCs come in.
Better late than never. Ramp up your digital transformation journey today with ACE!