Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) allows organisations to deliver desktops and applications from a centralised environment. This creates opportunities to improve how desktops are managed, make better use of computing resources and give employees greater flexibility in where they work.
And adopting VDI doesn’t have to mean replacing every physical workstation or changing how an entire organisation operates.
Virtual desktops can be introduced alongside existing workstations, deployed across an entire organisation or adopted gradually. The right approach depends on what your organisation wants to achieve and where VDI can deliver the greatest value.
VDI Can Complement Your Existing Environment
Organisations have several options when deciding how to introduce virtual desktops. While some choose to deliver VDI across their workforce, others benefit from combining physical and virtual desktops within the same environment.
This allows businesses to take advantage of virtual desktop technology while continuing to use existing workstations where they remain appropriate.
For example, an organisation might introduce VDI for particular departments while other employees continue working on physical devices. By centralising desktop resources, IT teams can manage those virtual environments more consistently and make computing resources available where they’re needed.
A mixed desktop environment can be an effective long-term strategy, allowing organisations to benefit from VDI without needing to move every employee onto a virtual desktop.
Choosing Where Virtual Desktops Can Deliver the Most Value
The starting point for any VDI deployment is understanding what the organisation wants to achieve.
For example, an architecture firm could benefit from introducing GPU-accelerated virtual desktops for teams working with demanding applications. VDI can reduce their reliance on physical workstations and give employees the opportunity to work remotely without comprising on performance.
At the same time, roles without the same performance requirements, such as finance or admin, will be able to continue working from a standard laptop.
VDI also offers opportunities to simplify administration. With desktops and applications delivered centrally, IT teams can manage resources and maintain environments without relying entirely on individual physical workstations.
Beginning with an assessment of the existing environment and business objectives helps organisations identify where these benefits can make the greatest difference. There are several considerations that can help shape the approach:
- Existing infrastructure: How can VDI complement or improve the current desktop environment?
- Business objectives: What opportunities could virtual desktops create for the organisation?
- Long-term value: How could centralised desktop delivery support future business needs?
- Operational management: How could VDI simplify the way desktops and applications are delivered and supported?
These considerations help organisations identify the most appropriate deployment model and build a VDI strategy around their business priorities.
A Phased Approach Offers Additional Flexibility
For organisations considering a wider VDI deployment, a phased approach provides another way to introduce virtual desktops.
A business might initially deploy VDI within one department before extending the solution to additional teams. This gives employees the opportunity to experience the benefits of virtual desktops while allowing the organisation to build on its initial deployment. A pilot and gradual rollout can also provide useful feedback, helping IT teams refine the environment and plan future expansion.
However, phased implementation is simply one option. Organisations with a clear business case for wider adoption may choose to deploy VDI across multiple departments or their entire workforce from the outset.
The flexibility to choose between these approaches allows businesses to adopt virtual desktops in a way that aligns with their objectives.
Building a VDI Strategy Around Your Organisation
The right approach considers how virtual desktops will integrate with existing infrastructure and support the applications employees rely on. It also creates opportunities to plan for future growth and make effective use of IT resources.
Working with a specialist VDI provider helps organisations identify these opportunities and develop a solution that supports their objectives.
At ebb3, we design and implement virtual desktop solutions tailored to each organisation’s environment. Our expertise in GPU-accelerated computing enables us to deliver virtual desktops capable of supporting demanding applications, including those used in architecture and engineering.
We also provide ongoing managed services, helping customers maintain and optimise their virtual desktop environments as their needs evolve.
Making VDI work for your business
There is no single approach to VDI adoption that suits every organisation.
For some businesses, deploying virtual desktops across the entire workforce offers the greatest value. Others may benefit from combining physical and virtual desktops or introducing VDI gradually as their needs evolve.
Each approach provides an opportunity to take advantage of centralised desktop delivery, with the flexibility to build a solution around the organisation’s priorities.
Explore ebb3’s VDI solutions and how we design virtual desktops around your applications and project requirements, or get in touch below.
