Virtual Desktop: the changing face of the digital workplace

The pandemic has challenged the traditional way of deploying and supporting the digital workplace. At the outset of the crisis, companies rushed to adjust as they embarked on huge remote working programs. Many are now facing the challenge of permanent flexible working.

The wide uptake of remote working has created a number of issues for IT departments:

  • Where are the employees logging on from?
  • How do you secure the delivery of applications and corporate data being sent across the Internet?
  • How do you manage those corporate devices?
  • How do you manage multiple connections?
  • What happens when employees blend working with home computing?
  • How do you manage Windows 10 or other upgrades to so many remote locations?
  • How do you offer device choice?

 

Virtual Desktop

 

Virtual desktops are vital to your portfolio of tools

The answer lies in the cloud with virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). A virtual desktop looks and acts just like the desktop users have in the office. Creating a virtual desktop solution allows your users to securely access applications and data from a wide range of devices. Coupled with a BYOD strategy, the number of devices that you have to patch, manage and upgrade is greatly reduced compared to physical endpoints. The performance of virtual desktops has improved so that even high-end graphics and audio can be released and run. Combined with flexible cloud resources, the most appropriate virtual desktop can be deployed for each use case.

Virtual desktops can be configured for specific use cases, including:

  • Kiosk mode for retail
  • Web-enabled portal for contact center workers
  • Optimized desktops for homeworkers
  • Applications for specific requirements
  • High-end graphics for designers

A solution that scales … in both directions

In these uncertain times, Orange has designed a solution that technically scales to meet your requirements. If your organization reorganizes or adds business units, we can replicate this on the cloud platform.

The solution also scales across different clouds types so that an end user can move seamlessly from one cloud to another as they travel from region to region.

Importantly, as your user numbers change, so does the commercial model. We recognizes that predicting numbers of virtual desktop users in six or nine months is difficult, so we created a consumption model that scales in both directions. You pay only for what you use.

A complete VDI deployment service

Our virtual desktop specialists work closely with your teams throughout the implementation process. They will define the scope of the proof of concept (PoC) and help you identify the key applications, user management and security parameters. We then run a technical PoC typically over two to four weeks to verify the concept.

Following the PoC comes the pilot stage. Here, we define the number of users per compute block to confirm the business case prices. This will allow you to move forward to production knowing that we will achieve your budgetary figures.

Our experts work with you during the production stage to optimize the platform and applications, integrating our service desks and reporting processes. Orange has an agile approach, taking you through these stages in typically six to eight weeks.

Virtual desktops, deployed in the cloud of your choice, should be a critical part of your portfolio for end-user computing solutions going forward.

Virtual desktops ensure doctors can keep working in a crisis

The NHS found itself in an unprecedented global pandemic, dealing with a frontline crisis while continuing to ensure the quality and consistency of primary care. Orange Business helped the NHS keep its community care running, helping prevent the spread of the virus.

Read the case study

 

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