Benefits of Cloud Desktop Hosting That You Must Know About
Cloud desktop hosting offers a range of advantages for independent software vendors, business owners, IT managers, and managed service providers. Also known as Hosted Desktop Services or Desktop as a Service (DaaS), cloud desktop hosting enables a desktop environment to function on a virtual machine hosted in the cloud. This allows companies that rely on technology to operate more efficiently by leveraging a centralized, cloud-based solution for their desktop needs.
At a glance, these are the seven benefits of cloud desktop hosting:
- Hassle-free access
- Increased security
- Locally managed facilities
- Data loss elimination
- Same image
- Increased compliance
- Reduction in operational costs
Hassle-Free Access
When it comes to accessibility, desktop software is quite limiting. Firstly, desktop software can only be used by one person at a time and it requires that person to be physically present at that location to access it.
In a time and age, where remote working and work-from-anywhere are fast becoming the new norm, this kind of work structure can cripple the flexibility aspect of organizations. This can be even more limiting in case of an emergency as accessing data while physically not being there could be a problem.
A virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) on the other hand, provides easy access from anywhere, at any time. Since such software is available globally over the internet, it can be accessed irrespective of your location and time zone on mobile. Moreover, cloud desktop hosting comes in handy in an emergency as it is fairly easy to access virtual desktops, especially via mobile devices, and take suitable action.
Security that Counts
Security is a huge concern in today’s digitally dominant world where cybercrimes and data threats are fast becoming a menace.
This data threat becomes very real when all your important information is stored on a desktop or an external hard drive, which can be easily lost if the computer crashes or if the hard drive is lost/misplaced.
However, if the data is stored on cloud-based software, you can safeguard it from all the above-mentioned threats.
A cloud desktop hosting environment offers one of the safest storage methods as the data stored cannot be accessed by any unauthorized person. It requires your login details to be accessed.
So, even if your laptop is stolen, the data remains safe, and you can still access it via the central server from another device. The data also remains safe from cyber criminals as the cloud program runs from a data center that has numerous layers of protection.
Locally Managed Facilities
Moving from Desktop to Cloud is not as messy as it sounds. It is rather simple and can be done across multiple platforms. You can either choose to go virtual-to-virtual and cloud-to-cloud, or you can try the physical-to-virtual and data center route as well.
Whatever you decide to choose, your third-party provider will easily be able to migrate your desktop to the cloud without any downtime or disruption in your current work scheme. This is yet another advantage of being on the cloud. Moreover, you can also enjoy centralized management with cloud desktop hosting!
On the contrary, any changes in the desktop system will eat up your productive time and take longer as well.
Data Loss Elimination
Data loss is a huge issue in a desktop-oriented setup. To keep your data safe and secure, you would need to take backups on hard drives to ensure that it is not completely lost if anything goes wrong with the desktop. It is an extremely cumbersome process as the data keeps piling up as you go about your business and keeping track of what is stored in which drive is something that can take up a lot of your time and effort.
However, hosted desktop services do all of this through auto-updates. So, you don’t have to do anything to store and save your data. And this storing of data is done at several places to provide extra protection.
Even if your laptop is lost or crashes, you can access the data from any other system. Cloud desktop hosting ensures that systems are always updated, so you get the most updated and secure data storage facilities.
Same Image
In a virtualized desktop infrastructure, the same image can be used as a central desktop image. The same image cloud desktop hosting supports the creation and use of the same virtual desktop image for numerous desktops. These desktop images can be easily created, edited, enhanced and deployed via cloud desktop hosting.
Stay Compliant
Regardless of the time or location of your employees, hosted desktop services allow them to access all necessary desktops in the most seamless manner possible. They can enjoy this browser-based access to all desktops and apps with optimal security, too.
Only those who you want to have access will be able to use this feature as Point North Networks can implement multi-factor authentication, proven compliance levels, and more.
You’ll want your IT partner to be able to provide services made and certified to simplify moving your infrastructure to the cloud. Point North Networks’ hosted infrastructure is wholly built and managed by our engineers in our own data facilities in Minneapolis, Eagan, and Kansas City.
Reduce your Operation Costs
High-end desktops and laptops for all your employees add up enormously. Using a locally managed data center for a monthly fee helps introduce cost efficiency to the system and enables humongous cost savings in the foreseeable future.
The cost-effectiveness of centralized server is simply one of the biggest benefits that organizations can reap. It might seem like a lot of investment at the beginning of the shift to the cloud, but it is far more affordable and cost-effective in the long run.
With a desktop-based software system, you would need to invest in developing a proper IT infrastructure right at the beginning and it would require timely upgradation of software and hardware.
This is a never-ending process that would keep springing up surprise expenditures at any time of the year. The sudden crashing of the desktop systems, damages, maintenance, etc. are additional costs that you must factor in as well. Cloud desktop hosting, on the other hand, frees you from all these hassles.
You won’t have to pay for IT infrastructure, it auto-updates, ensuring you get the latest versions, and you only pay for whatever features and space you use through its pay-as-you-go feature. Together, these factors result in more cost-effective operations and much higher returns.
Hosted desktop environments should be backed up several times a day and contain at least 90 days of retention storage to allow you, the end user, to quickly restore files.
Don’t have Microsoft Office suite on the device you’re using? No problem, our hosted desktop services can even run Cad Applications.
You won’t break any rules with the right hosted desktop services. Your provider should follow all the right security controls so that you can follow the rules even when handling controlled unclassified information data.
Ready to Talk About Cloud Desktop Hosting Options?
Contact Point North Networks to implement a cloud desktop hosting solution tailored to your business. We’ll help you set up lightweight Thin Clients and ensure your team benefits from secure data access, disaster recovery, and support for BYOD, including personal desktops, Thin Clients, and mobile devices. With our expertise, you’ll enjoy a virtualized environment that offers quick desktop fixes, improved performance, and increased productivity.