Modern remote computing allows users to access computing resources (applications and even entire desktops) from anywhere in the world. The technology has been around for over two decades, but we saw an explosion in the adoption and acceptance of it during the pandemic as it has become crucial for businesses and individuals as it provided workers geographical flexibility during this time.

We are seeing renewed interest in remote computing, but this time, the driver is the end of Windows 10, as this is allowing companies to reexamine their desktop strategies. Many find that they would rather have users run applications and desktops that are securely located and managed remotely than on individual local physical PCs and laptops.

With the increased interest in remote computing, I thought it would be a good time to write a quick primer on the technology behind remote computing for those that are new to it or simply get a refresh on the latest advancements made in it, the equipment involved in implementing it, and why Stratodesk has been on the leading edge of the remote computing for over two decades.

This article offers an overview of major remote computing technologies. Future articles will detail specific technologies which should help you choose the best one for your company’s needs.

Before digging into the technologies, let’s discuss the benefits of remote computing and why there is such an interest in it.

Benefits of Remote Computing

In the early days, the major driver of remote computing was cost savings, but later on, this was eclipsed by other benefits, including business continuity, workforce flexibility, and, most importantly, security.

Organizations like call centers that operate 24/7 have found that by streaming applications and virtual desktops they could significantly lower operational costs. This was done by reducing physical infrastructure and the expenses related to managing applications and desktops. Initially, they accessed remote resources using Windows PCs shared across multiple shifts in a 24/7 call center. However, they soon realized that these Windows PCs still required a lot of IT support. They discovered that thin clients are cost-effective as they are less expensive and need only minimal IT support.

The cost-saving story resonated well with call centers and other organizations that employed a large number of task workers, that is, workers that only used one or two applications.

Soon, other businesses started to embrace remote computing but for another reason -business continuity. They realized that in the event of a disaster, employees could still access their applications if their employees used computer resources that were securely and safely located in a datacenter. Thin clients running Stratodesk NoTouch OS are stateless so employees can use whatever device is closest to them.

Data loss, ransomware, and computer viruses drove even more companies to embrace remote computing as software can be more easily managed and maintained when compared to maintaining individual computers. Stratodesk NoTouch OS thin client software is highly secure as it has a much smaller code footprint, a read-only file system, and critical information is not stored on it.

As mentioned above, the biggest factor that is currently driving remote computing adoption is Windows 10 end of life. Companies are realizing the huge cost involved in updating their users to Windows 11. Others are simply sick of the endless patching and updates associated with running Windows on local machines. NoTouch OS can repurpose PCs and laptops that aren’t supported by Windows 11.

It’s no wonder companies are embracing remote computing, given its benefits. Here are some of the most popular remote computing technologies.

Streaming Applications

Streaming applications emerged in the 1990s with the rise of internet technologies, which enabled applications to be hosted on remote servers and accessed over networks by those who used those applications. This innovation allowed businesses to move away from the traditional model of installing and maintaining software on individual PCs, minimizing the complexities associated with software deployment and updates. Initially, streaming applications were limited by bandwidth constraints and the reliability of internet connections, but advancements in networking technologies have significantly enhanced their performance and accessibility, even for those working from home.

Stratodesk makes it easy for workers, regardless of their location, to access the applications that they need.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) represented a significant advancement in remote computing, offering flexibility and efficiency for businesses. VDI involves hosting virtual desktops on a centralized server running a hypervisor and delivering them to client devices over the network. This approach allows users to access their entire personalized desktop from any location, using any device, without the need for traditional physical PCs.

Stratodesk NoTouch can handle the challenging needs of streaming complete desktops, even supporting virtual desktops that have multiple 4K monitors.

Desktop as a Service

About a decade after VDI took off Desktop as a Service (DaaS) started to emerge in response to the growing demand for flexible and scalable solutions that could accommodate the increasingly mobile and distributed workforce, DaaS allows desktop environments to be hosted on cloud servers and delivered to end-users as a managed service.

Stratodesk has close relationships with all the popular DaaS providers, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon WorkSpaces, as well as niche providers like Leostream and Apporto.

Remote Physical Desktops

Recently there has been an increase in remote connections to physical systems as some users, particularly those involved in media and entertainment, require all the resources of a complete physical desktop or workstation. Remote access to these high-end systems has transformed approaches to resource-intensive computing for businesses and individuals. By using remote desktop protocols, users can access these computing environments, including applications, files, and settings, as if they were physically present at their computers.

NoTouch OS’s thin client software supports a range of devices, from budget ARM-based models to powerful thin clients by Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

Enterprise Browsers

Enterprise browsers are becoming essential tools in modern business environments, enabling seamless and secure web access over public networks. The history of enterprise browsers dates back to the early days of the internet when businesses began to recognize the potential of web-based applications for streamlining operations and enhancing productivity. As the internet evolved, so did the need for browsers that could meet the specific requirements of enterprises, including robust security features, centralized management, and compatibility with various internal systems.

Stratodesk allows enterprise browsers to run natively on devices using NoTouch OS, improving security and manageability for workers accessing web-based applications.

Modern Remote Computing Brought to YOU by Stratodesk

No matter which remote computing technology is used, Stratodesk’s NoTouch thin client OS and NoTouch Center for endpoint management offer the necessary security and features required by modern businesses in a cost-effective manner.