I was a member of the Microsoft (vendor) engineering team when Microsoft started the development phase of their brand new solution on Desktop as a Service. We used to call it "RDMI" (Remote Desktop Modern Infrastructure). We used to consider RDMI as the updated version of RDS(Remote Desktop Services). I can remember my team at PeopleTech Group (a vendor to Microsoft) working with Microsoft on this solution was so excited to explore this new thing and deliver extraordinary solutions in this regard. My team and I got a chance to do a cloud-PC setup for one of Microsoft's cloud partners HP (Hewlett-Packard). We made it work! During this time the name of RDMI was changed to WVD (Windows Virtual Desktop). Now I am happy to see the same solution that we initiated at Microsoft is doing so well in the Cloud Market nowadays.
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), is a cloud-based desktop and application virtualization service offered by Microsoft Azure. Here are some common business challenges that AVD can solve:
Remote Workforce: With the rise of remote work, businesses need to provide secure access to corporate applications and data from anywhere. AVD enables employees to access their desktops and applications securely from any device, anywhere with an internet connection.
Cost Management: AVD eliminates the need for expensive hardware and infrastructure. By using the cloud, businesses can pay for only what they use, without worrying about maintenance or upgrades.
Security: AVD provides a secure environment for desktop and application virtualization, reducing the risk of data loss, breaches, and cyber-attacks. It offers several security features, such as multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and conditional access policies.
Scalability: AVD allows businesses to scale up or down as needed, providing the flexibility to meet changing demands. It can easily accommodate an increase in remote workers or changing business requirements.
Legacy Application Compatibility: AVD allows businesses to run legacy applications that are not compatible with newer operating systems. It provides a modern desktop experience while allowing legacy applications to run on Windows 7 or 10.
Device Management: AVD provides centralized management of virtual desktops and applications, making it easy to deploy, update, and manage. It allows IT teams to focus on more critical tasks, such as security and compliance.
In summary, Azure Virtual Desktop is an excellent solution for businesses that want to enable remote work, reduce costs, improve security, and modernize their IT infrastructure while still supporting legacy applications.