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July 13, 2022 | Infrastructure management / Virtual desktop
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) from Citrix: What are the benefits of a virtual desktop?
VDI, or simply virtual desktop, is a solution with a range of advantages. It gained particular popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic because one of its most obvious benefits is enabling remote work for employees on any device. But that's not all. Let's see what exactly Citrix's VDI, one of the world's leading cloud solutions, can do.
According to a report by Market Research Future, the VDI market is growing at an annual compound rate of 18.2% from 2020 to 2030. We are also seeing increasing interest in deploying this type of service at Hawatel. Among our largest clients who have purchased Citrix VDI implementation services are the Central Statistical Office (GUS), T-Mobile, and Grupa Lotos. In addition to client trust, Hawatel enjoys the status of SILVER Citrix Solution Advisor (CSA).
Source: ChatGPT
Benefits of VDI
Centralization and security
One of the key advantages of VDI is the centralization of data, meaning that all data is stored on servers rather than locally on user devices. This gives organizations full control over data access and allows them to protect information more effectively from loss or unauthorized access. Centralization also simplifies security management—updating the system in one place ensures that changes are applied across the entire infrastructure instantly. Citrix further enhances security with advanced features such as session control, encryption, and threat detection systems, offering superior data protection compared to traditional solutions.
Availability and mobility
VDI removes barriers to accessing company resources by allowing users to work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have internet access. This is a crucial feature in the era of remote and hybrid work, where employees can use various devices - desktops, tablets, or even smartphones - to work in a fully mobile environment. Citrix makes logging in and accessing the virtual desktop even easier, enabling users to quickly start working on any device without complex configurations. This supports flexibility and boosts productivity by allowing employees to work in the most convenient way for them.
Cost savings
Investing in VDI solutions can bring significant savings to a company. Instead of purchasing expensive computer hardware for every employee, organizations can invest in cheaper end devices (thin clients), since most computing processes are handled on the server. Additionally, desktop virtualization eliminates the need for individual software licenses, as applications are run centrally, enabling better license management and cost reduction. When combined with lower maintenance expenses for hardware and infrastructure, Citrix VDI becomes a highly cost-effective solution.
Easier IT infrastructure management
IT administrators appreciate VDI for its ease of management. Instead of configuring and updating each device individually, they can manage the entire infrastructure centrally. Software updates, security patches, and the deployment of new applications are done in one place, and the changes are automatically applied to all virtual desktops. Citrix offers advanced tools for monitoring and managing user sessions in real time, allowing for quick identification and resolution of potential issues, thus improving the operational efficiency of the IT department.
Backup and data recovery
In traditional IT environments, creating backups is the responsibility of each user or administrator, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. With Citrix VDI, this process is automated. Backups are regularly created on the servers, ensuring that user data is always protected and can be quickly restored in case of failure. Moreover, VDI eliminates the risk of data loss due to local device failures—everything is securely stored in the central system, and users can regain full access to their files on any device.
Citrix virtual desktop
All the benefits we mentioned also apply to Citrix's virtual desktop. However, Citrix's virtual desktop has several additional tangible benefits.
Citrix VDI user experience (UX)
Citrix focuses heavily on delivering the most intuitive and seamless user experience. This enables simple and fast deployment, where the user doesn't need technical expertise to use the virtual desktop. With minimal configuration requirements and automatic system adaptation to user needs, Citrix significantly shortens the time needed to start working. Moreover, Citrix guarantees that every application will run smoothly, even with an unstable internet connection, which is key to ensuring work continuity.
Citrix VDI security
Citrix offers a range of advanced security features that go beyond standard solutions. In addition to basic protections like session encryption and unauthorized access prevention, Citrix collaborates with Bitdefender to provide an extra layer of security through behavior analysis and anomaly detection in applications. This innovative approach allows for early threat detection before they cause harm. Additionally, Citrix offers options like session recording, keylogger protection, and screenshot blocking, further enhancing the security of corporate data.
Managing Citrix VDI
Citrix stands out with its flexibility and advanced management capabilities in local, cloud, and hybrid environments. The tools provided by Citrix allow IT administrators not only full visibility of the infrastructure but also the automation of repetitive tasks. This significantly simplifies the management of large IT environments, saving time and minimizing the risk of errors. With integration into popular IT Ops platforms such as ServiceNow and SCCM, Citrix ensures consistency in management processes and enables better organization of work.
VDI - the future of work?
We firmly believe that VDI solutions will become more prevalent, as they not only enable remote work but also significantly enhance security and facilitate IT infrastructure management in organizations. It's important to choose the most experienced solution providers, as VDI implementation can be complex, and not every service provider will be able to handle it.