Getting back to the basics for an overview on Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

VDI, or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, refers to the process of running a desktop inside a virtual machine that is housed on a server in a data center. The desktops can then be accessed remotely via endpoints. With VDI, end users get the benefit of a desktop-like experience. Meanwhile, enterprises and organizations also get the many benefits of VDI including a secure and manageable digital premises.

VDI has much to offer enterprises and organizations of all shapes and sizes. It saves costs, streamlines management, empowers security, and enables unparalleled flexibility.

VDI Benefits

The core benefits of VDI stem from offloading the considerable computing work done on the endpoint and putting the full brunt of that effort onto the server. And yet, end users (workers, contractors, employees) interact with their desktops and applications as if they were running locally.

The desktop image is delivered via a secure network to an endpoint device. That device can be a PC, a Thin Client, a Raspberry Pi Thin Client or a tablet/mobile device.

PC Repurposing

PC Repurposing is the first benefit of VDI.  Instead of throwing out PCs and replacing them with expensive new devices, PC Repurposing allows organizations to leverage their existing pool of devices. This is done by converting those devices into VDI Clients. By converting your devices,  you can extend the lifecycle of your PCs. Doing so saves an incredible amount of money, eliminates waste, and increases your ROI.

VDI Benefits Continued: Low Cost Endpoints

VDI technology enables competitive alternatives for enterprises that need to add new devices to their network. Either because of aggressive ROI goals or restricted budgets, enterprises and organizations both stand to gain from cutting down on hardware acquisition costs. Thanks to VDI, they don’t need to buy full desktop PCs for their workers, or even expensive laptop devices. Instead, they can purchase Thin Clients – devices that produce a similar experience as PCs when connected to your VDI environment. The final low cost option is the Raspberry Pi.

VDI Benefits of Raspberry Pi Thin Clients

Raspberry Pi Thin Clients are the crown jewel of VDI Thin Client endpoints. Considered by some to be the game changing Thin Client endpoint device, the Raspberry Pi platform is able to deliver a PC-like experience from a motherboard at a mere fraction of the cost of competing PCs, or bloated Thin Clients.

Thanks in part to the Raspberry Pi 4, the Raspberry Pi platform has the native capabilities needed by enterprises around the world to reap the full benefits of VDI. Skype for Business, Dual View, H.264 decoder and inherent Citrix connectivity and management are capable directly out of the box from Raspberry Pi based endpoints like the Citrix Ready workspace hub.

Security Concerns Solved with VDI

Apart from the cost savings that VDI unlocks by enabling things like PC Repurposing and Raspberry Pi based Thin Clients, one of the top reasons, if not THE top reason, companies and organizations leverage VDI is for security. VDI boosts security by:

• Allowing better maintenance and management
• Protecting secure data and information

Allowing Better Maintenance and Management

With VDI, IT managers & Sys Admins can manage their entire network of endpoint devices from one location. With the right solution, they can set user roles, manage assets, configure and update endpoints with a few clicks. Not only does this save a lot of expensive IT resources and time, it ensures a more secure and properly maintained environment. With Stratodesk NoTouch Center, for example, even peripheral devices can be actively tracked and managed in real time.

Protecting Secure Data and Information

Because virtually no information is stored on the endpoint device itself, with VDI, you don’t have to worry about vital corporate information being accessed in the event that a device is lost or stolen. This is a major benefit of VDI.

In this way, VDI helps fight security exploits while also enabling users to access their own unique desktop experience each and every time they log on.

BYOD and Flexible Work Conditions

General trends in the workforce are partly to thank for the growing need for VDI. In general, professionals require more flexible access to the apps and data they need in order to get their work done than ever before. A worker might log into his device from one location one day, and another the next. And yet, the organization must be able to enable this kind of flexible work schedule securely while granting access to their own corporate network.

VDI is able to do this. When VDI is coupled with the right endpoint solution, workers can access their virtual desktops anywhere, anytime, from any device!

Bring Your Own Device

Additionally, the rise of remote work, and work from home, and even the growing trend of employees bringing their own devices into the workplace, has made it necessary for companies to enable employees to access virtual desktops on devices that don’t even belong to the corporation.

In fact, workers expect to do work on their own personal devices, and there are several studies that show a correlation between working on personal devices and increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

In Summation

VDI is an important technology that is only expected to grow as we head into the 2020’s. If the above benefits are relatable to you, we encourage you to explore one of our VDI solution provider partners like VMware, Citrix, or Nutanix in order to find the right solution for you. Once your server or Cloud based solution is set up, Stratodesk offers a comprehensive software for your entire secure digital perimeter.

NoTouch OS runs on endpoint devices, repurposes them into high performing Thin Clients, called NoTouch Clients, and enables you to leverage the full effect of your VDI. Meanwhile, our management software is the only one of its kind that lets you leverage the full power of both x86 and Raspberry Pi devices, unlocking unparalleled savings benefits and agility to your entire organization.

Already have a VDI solution in place and ready to give our software a shot? Download our free trial and get started testing with us today!