February 5, 2014
Desktop virtualization can transform the way your business uses technology. Desktop virtualization separates the computer desktop environment from the physical computer. It connects a network of individual computers with a central hub, usually a server. Modern technologies have also allowed that central hub to be "in the cloud" or offsite. Desktop virtualization is a cost-saving, security increasing and productivity boosting technology for businesses of all sizes.
1 - Stop Burning Through Resources
If your computer systems are not virtualized, your IT staff spends significant time and energy updating and maintaining individual desktop computers. That valuable time is cash out of your pocket. With desktop virtualization, your IT department can fix most situations remotely. Virtual desktops allow the IT department to update the entire fleet of office computers from the server. This not only saves time for your IT team, but your individual employees don't have to stop working during the update process. This is one example of how desktop virtualization can save you time and resources.
2 - Reduce the Risk of Being Hacked
Desktop virtualization makes it easier to protect all of your computer systems data. Although storing all data in one location may seem like the hackers have the upper hand, the central location makes it easier to defend (and therefore harder to access). Also, there are security applications you can install to prevent the most common hacker techniques such as keylogging and screen scraping.
3 - Enable Your Employees to Work from Anywhere
Take a moment and think about how your company would benefit from your employees' being able to work from anywhere. For example, an employee with a sick child would be able to continue to work off-site. Your business would benefit from minimizing lost work days. This extends beyond your current employees; you could also use this option as a recruiting benefit because many people value flexibility in their work schedules.
4 - Adjust to Business Changes Easier
As your business grows, desktop virtualization easily grows with the company. You simply need to connect another computer to your server. That workstation becomes instantly active and your employee has access to everything he or she needs to successfully do his/her job and be productive.
Need new software programs? Your IT department can easily give access to your entire workforce, specific departments or individual employees, with one simple setup.
Also, whether you have cloud-based or on premise virtual desktops, storage space is easily added or subtracted as your business requires.
5 - Increase Reliability and Accessibility
Virtual desktops make it easy to transfer files between employees. Data, documents and programs are all accessible from any computer, anywhere, via the central server. It's quick and easy for multiple people to share, update, review and print the same document(s) because of this universal access.
6 - Save Money on Computer Workstations
At a certain point in your business, you will have the need to update to newer, more current software. Often times, older desktop computers may not be able to support the new software. For example, with the current Microsoft release, some computers don’t have the recommended memory or processing power. With virtualization, you can save thousands of dollars by eliminating the need for these hardware updates. You’ll have to worry less about whether all of your computers can handle the new software, because the software won’t be installed on each computer system, taking up memory. This puts less strain on the computers long term, increasing their longevity and saving you money.
These are just some of the reasons businesses all over the world take advantage of desktop virtualization. To join them, begin by talking with a Virtualization Specialist.
