August 8, 2016
If there is one piece of technology that you’d have to pry from my dead fingers, I am pretty sure it’s VDI. (Of course, it requires my smartphone or other devices to operate so those are an obvious given.) It has completely changed my productivity. I wouldn’t be the same without it.
VDI, short for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, enables users to gain access to their fully personalized desktop anywhere just like they are sitting at their desk. And it doesn’t sacrifice security or simplicity. With VDI, organizations run a user’s desktop operating system on a virtual machine that is located on a centralized server in a data center.
VDI is just one of the types of desktop virtualization and is expected to power the digital workplace. It gives users access to their complete desktop – all the software, files and even the icon layout on their screen as they last left it - with one login.
It may sound high-tech, and it is. But the features and functionality make it a technology that I won’t go without. And I don’t think other professionals should either. Here’s why:
- Access anywhere.
If there is an Internet connection, I can access everything. That makes it easy to jump on a terminal at a hotel’s business center and work just as I would if I were at my desk. - Access on any device.
That includes my smartphone and iPad. I regularly access my desktop just like I would at the office from these devices. I can even run a presentation from my smartphone through VDI. I don’t have to carry my laptop everywhere because I can access my desktop on just about anything. The capabilities of the device do not matter. The device simply serves as a window. - Access at anytime.
I cannot remember the last time I worked 8-5. More and more jobs don’t fit that traditional model and many professionals actually prefer to work outside of those hours. It may be something quick at night or they are more productive while still in their pajamas in the morning. Whatever the reason, VDI allows them to work anytime. - It’s always on.
VDI never shuts off. I don’t have to wait for everything to boot up. I just log on and go. It’s always ready. That’s a huge time saver. - It’s always up-to-date.
When I log on, I see everything just as I last left it. Every file, app and icon just how I would see it on my desktop at work. So when I accidentally save a file I need to my desktop instead of the cloud, it’s still accessible. - All software updates are made automatically.
All software updates and upgrades are managed and loaded through the centralized service by an IT professional. So, I don’t have to worry about keeping my applications and operating system current. - It’s always secure.
This is the No. 1 reason why organizations are choosing VDI. We cannot stop the rising mobility in our workplaces and this enables organizations to give workers what they need without compromising security. - Enables use of a mouse with an iPad.
While this may not be as necessary as some of the other features, this is my personal favorite. This is another benefit of the device simply operating as the window and the VDI doing all the work. It allows me to do more intricate or complex work from an iPad than I normally could.
Virtualized desktops are expected to grow at a compounded rate of 55 percent annually through 2020, according to a report released by Modor Intelligence. Financial services organizations are driving that growth, followed by healthcare and government entities.
VDI first gained momentum in 2007 when the recession pressured organizations to leverage solutions that drive efficiency and reduce costs. Virtual desktops are less expensive than buying new PCs every three years
You still need talent to build and maintain it. That initially left it out of reach for smaller organizations. But that has changed through partnerships with technology providers like Marco. VDI is now available to anyone through desktop as a service.
